Baladi Blues Reloaded Volume II

Remixes are like recipes: it may be possible to create something thrilling out of very little but it really helps if you start off with prime ingredients. So it is with Guy Schalom's latest instalment of urban Egyptian dance remixes: while the four different production teams bring colour and digital witchcraft to these tracks, it's the gutsy playing of the original musicians that still shines through. The distinct styles of the producers and DJs give this album wonderful variety: both Kamel Nitrate and Transglobal Underground have established pedigrees in reworking Oriental music and this shows in the clarity, confidence and wanton danceability of their contributions. Dub Colossus sound just as their name suggests and all they touch is laden with reverb; even doing the dishes becomes a psychedelic experience, listening to their extended remix of ‘Gana el Hawa’. By contrast, the French DJ Click brings a more Euro-electronic feel that sits surprisingly well with Abdul Salam Kheir's rich vocals on the Baladi classic ‘Sawah’. This is an Arab dance album to suit many moods – with a real sense of fun.