Rough Guide to Bellydance

Finger cymbals? Check. Hip scarves, fan veil, belly button jewel? Check. The second edition of the Rough Guide to Bellydance isn't just about listening to music that accompanies raqs sharki (Oriental dance). This ancient pre-Islamic art should really be performed to be properly appreciated; thankfully there's a bonus how-to DVD in with the CD.

While raqs sharki properly refers to an Egyptian dance, there are other styles equally danceable. Showier and more energetic is Turkey's traditional instrumental taksim and Lebanese shaabi: ‘Ya Samara’ by Lebanese-born oud player Hamouda Ali takes its cue from the famous bellydancer of the same name. Modern tribal fusion is represented by New York-based beats collective Sammarkand and their snaking, shaking ‘Tribal Princess.’ There's also the renowned Cairo Arabic Music Ensemble with ‘Nesma't El Nile’ and Cairo's Gizira Band with ‘Basbousa’.

The album is structured like a dance routine, so that the shimmies and twists that the DVD's bellydance teacher demonstrates can be applied throughout. Perhaps some of the moves should only be tried with a good chiropractor on hand.