Arabian Fusion

Putumayo —the standard-bearer for world music compilation albums—comes up with a winner on Arabic Groove. Nearly every song is a stand-out, with irresistible Middle Eastern dance beats melding with a variety of styles and instruments from around the world.

Mega pop star Amr Diab incorporates flamenco guitar and rhythmic hand-clapping on “Amarain,” track four. The choice is apt: flamenco, a Spanish musical and dance style, inherited numerous elements from the Moors of North Africa who dominated Spain for more than 750 years.

Lebanese chanteuse Dania Khatib (with remix specialists Transglobal Underground) offers “Leiley,” track three, with lyrics about longing and a slightly melancholy but immensely danceable beat. On track nine, “Mauvais Sang,” the Algerian superstar Khaled (known as the King of Rai) makes liberal use of the saxophone, seamlessly incorporating elements of jazz and funk.

The Belgian-born Natacha Atlas provides track eight, “Kidda.” A queen of fusion Arabic music, Atlas’ voice wails and slinks its way over a low, drum-heavy groove, teasing the listener and enticing the hips to shimmy.

The CD’s only lowlight comes on the last track: “L’Histoire” by Cheb Tarik. The song misses the mark with the inclusion of Kool and the Gang samples and a cheesy synthesized pop base. On an album that so successfully blends genres, it’s unfortunate to end on a down note. But it’s easily remedied—just press stop when you think you hear a mid-70s train wreck.

Buy Arabic Groove at Amazon.com