Zachary J. Mechlem
Sameera: Modern Music for Belly Dance
© 2005 Mogetchie (659696089228)
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Original belly dance music inspired by tribal, trance, and gypsi music of North Africa & The Middle East.
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NEWSFLASH
6/25/08
***"Three if by Desert" was featured during a live broadcast in an add for 'Jeep World of Adventure' on NBC Sports!***
Zachary J. Mechlem is a member of World Fusion trio, Mohenjo Daro and the frontman for Alt-Country group, Mack West. His newest solo release, Sameera is a raw and dynamic collection of original belly dance music inspired by trance, tribal, and gypsi music of North Africa & The Middle East.
Mechlem performs every instrument on the album except the flute, which is brilliantly done by Johnny Ruzsa, also of Mohenjo Daro. For this recording Mechlem uses traditional Arabic percussion but string tracks were done using banjo, acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, and banjo-mandolin. Another unique touch is the use of drum kit on select tracks, providing a deeper groove and backbeat to accompany the more traditional Arabic rhythms.
Mechlem's only personal ties to the East are his Roma (gypsi) roots but Sameera is intended more as a tribute to the 70's era of Belly Dance music he heard as a kid, when his own mother was a professional belly dancer.
His solo debut was back in 2000 with "east meets west" soundtrack, "The Haight Gang", a Wild West concept record that combined Arabic, Indian, and Spanish music with Country and Rock.
***REVIEW OF SAMEERA***
It's hard to imagine an artist more perfectly suited to modernizing belly dance music than Zach Mechlem. In addition to his acclaimed Eastern Fusion trio, Mohenjo Daro, he has made numerous forays into popular music as a composer and multi-instrumentalist, all with impressive results. This musical style is also in his blood, with Romany Gypsy roots and a mother who was herself a belly dancer. It's no wonder then that Sameera is filled with gems that beautifully balance the rhythmic requirements of the dancer with finely crafted nods to prevailing musical taste. Instead of merging a plethora of modern elements as Tribal Dance music does, Mechlem shoots for a more timeless approach, subtly applying Western musical theory and incorporating non-traditional sounds sparingly, such as the drum set on "Bedouins." Mechlem played each of the wide variety of Middle Eastern and Indian percussion and stringed instruments himself, except for several gorgeous flute performances by Johnny Ruzsa. Let's hope that preconceptions of what comprises Belly Dance music won't dissuade prospective listeners. Some might expect a collection of repetitive, trance-inducing tracks, but the disc is never monotonous. Even after repetitive listening, every song has a distinct identity, some very percussive and others graced with rapidly flowing melodies. "The Sand & the Moon" is a standout, a dramatic, plucked lullaby that offers a brief respite at the album's halfway mark. Running about three or four minutes each, each of the 10 songs offers a climactic journey, making Sameera the perfect aural companion for a visually striking art form.
-Ezra Waller, City Beat Magazine
Cincinnati, OH
reviews
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Modern Indeed
author: cygemini29I really love this cd because it updates the sound of traditional belly dance music. I really like the fact that the classic belly dancing beats are found in every song, but what makes this cd a favorite of mine, is the fact that the music has modern blend of other instruments. The melodies are very "catchy". The combination of that with the classic beats, makes this cd an awesome find.
keeps you moving
author: ZaenaLoved this cd from the very first song Sameera, love the fusion of old and new world instrumentation and how easy it is to succomb to dancing to this music.
Awsome!
author: Show'lehGeat mixture of sounds, very danceable!
W-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l !
author: Phyllis IgbinewekaThis music has energetic instrumentality with full body rhythmic beats. From to beginning to end this collection is a beautiful garden of sound and vibration.
Transforming ...
author: SonnyHigh energy! Bold. Deliberate. Delightful. There is no way you can sit still and listen to this. Raw power.
- author: Jenny
I absolutely love this CD! Each song is different from the other and they all make me want to dance. Zachary Mechlem is an awesome musician!
I love it!
author: AngeliaThis cd makes me want to dance! I cannot put it on without my daughter (who is 7) and I bellydancing to it! I have let friends listen, and they swear they will buy it!
I love this CD more than the air I breathe
author: ShellyI can't get enough of him. I love to Belly dance to Zachary. He really knows his stuff. I will always be a fan. I love to share his music with my Belly dancing students. This CD is SEXY!
Fabuolse music for Belly Dance
author: Vashtiheard this music first when I got a friends request on Myspace from Zachary Mechlem. I thought, ok, I will give him a listen. I was absolutely blown away!! I clicked on the order link right away, something I have never done with a Myspace band. The entire album is fabulose. I took it to class and now everyone wants a copy. One could do an entire show from this one album. I truely hope he records more.
great beats very fun to dance to!!! excellent all around!
author: Amberthis cd is great i love it. the music has wonderful beats all throug out the album!!!!
It's fun!
author: Dreadful JonquilVery eclectic composition of melodies and unique organization of instuments. Fun to dance to, drill moves, listen to while folding laundry.......etc..........
Loved it!!!!! The first song is the best.
author: Amunetgreat dance music . upbeat and fun!!!!
Dancer's review of Sameera
author: AyperiThis CD is a great collection of upbeat songs. Sameera, the CD's first and title track, is the most catchy, with a great melody and clean drumming to back it up. All of the other songs hold their own as well. But if you're looking for a lullaby, look else where, as all tracks are backed by driving rhythm. As a dancer, I would say that the songs would all be good set closers, and would fit into the "drum solo" section of a performance.
Totally awesome!
author: NaomiWow! What a great CD! There are two incredible songs to dance to, and the rest are just wonderful. We need more music from this guy.
Brillant!
author: NaiaraI loved it! This music makes belly dancing a lot of fun! I'd recommend this to any one who loves belly dancing and wants to dance to new tunes!
Solid beats perfect for dancing, enough variety to keep a girl happy!
author: JeanA blend of originality & tradition. This CD will keep a cabaret ot tribal style dancer inspired.
Solid beats perfect for dancing, enough variety to keep a girl happy!
author: JeanA blend of originality & tradition. This CD will keep a cabaret ot tribal style dancer inspired.
Just what I was hoping it would be...
author: TevaIt's perfect BD music! I loved the progression of rhythyms in tracks 5, 6, & 7. I'll definitely be looking for more from Mr. Mechlem!
Zachary Mechlem ROCKS!
author: *AmaniThis CD is fabulous....I can dance to every song on here- with zills, with a veil, just plain! I love it!! Infact, I'm using one of the tracks "Bedouins" in an upcoming bellydance competition!! :)
Great CD
author: SirenAn awesome CD! This one will gets LOTS of use. Run, don't walk, and get this great CD!
Wow. Can't stop dancing.
author: MiriamAWESOME. The variety of rhythms, the flow of speeds from one piece to the next, the blending of old and new instruments, the fresh interpretation of classic melodies. Did I say awesome? No, really, it is awesome. Dangerous to play in the car - I dare you to NOT dance to this! Even my young daughter is doing snake arms to Battle of Kadesh in her carseat. Brilliant. Thank you, Zachary. Namaste.