Uncle: The Soundtrack

» Note to readers

In interviewing Fatima bin Laden for this story, and in reading the journal of the still-missing Imam Ibrahim al-Shakr, a number of Middle Eastern music CDs were recommended to me. They often provide background music in the writing of "Uncle Osama," setting a kind of cultural stage. It occurs to me that they might also make an enjoyable soundtrack for a reader. The common threads are strong percussion and rhythmic elements below soaring melodies -- it's largely dance music, and like Western music often about love. Speaking of the beat: Is it just coincidence that when the music rocks, Arabs raks (dance)? Each CD listed here except the last were purchased at local record stores.

» "The Rough Guide to Bellydance: Raks Sharki," various artists, World Music Network. While "beladi" is often uptempo, this recent album includes a couple slower dances, in particular "Ana Wehabibi" by Mahmoud Fadl. It's a kind of Arabesque minuet. Call it "Baz and Fatima's Theme."

» "How to Make Your Husband A Sultan," Traditional Crossroads, featuring dancer Orzel Turkbas in suggestive attire on the cover and playing finger cymbals with her band. This is the record that in the 1960s introduced traditional bellydance to America. It's a quainter sound, using clarinet, violin and piano. In the '60s, the booklet inside created a stir.

» "Qanun El Tarab," Hossam Ramzy and Maged Serour, ARC Music. Ramzy is a widely recorded tabla (finger drum) master and is joined here with a qanun (cross between a steel guitar and harpsichord) master.

» "Cafe Arabia: Arabic Music Stars From the Golden Era," various, EMI Music Arabia. Imagine yourself in a Cairo nightclub, circa 1940 and '50s.

» "From Arabia With Love," various, EMI Music Arabia. Modern pop Middle Eastern music, and unlike most CDs here provides English translations. Bottom line: doesn't matter the language, love songs tend to get sappy and sentimental. Great rythyms, though.

» "Sensations Orientales," various, Sony. Dance music, including Arabic rap ("Eshebo" by Alabina) and Arabic Abba ("Dorbia" by Reines De Saba with Los Ninos De Sara).

» "Cairo Road: Great Singers of the Arab World," various, Nascente. Beautiful singing, but lots of minor keys, not for a novice Middle Eastern ear.

» "In A Persian Garden," Nasser Rastegar-Nejad, Lyrichord. A master of the santur, an Iranian dulcimer, dazzles with lightning fingers and intricate chords. Very peaceful, meditative music.

» "Rough Guide to Sufi Music: Islamic Mystics," various, World Music Network. Imam Ibrahim introduced Baz and Fatima to Sufism, the belief that all gods are really one god who is seen in love and compassion. Sufis meditate as they dance.

» "Eyvallah: Songs of Surrender," Latif Bolat. Turkish Sufi music for a modern ear, includes lyrics.

Shall we raks?

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Don Chapman is editor of MidWeek. His serialized novel runs daily in the Star-Bulletin. He can be e-mailed at dchapman@midweek.com