Lucky #13, featuring Youssef Kassab, Romeo Lahoud, Ozel Turkbas, and more!

1. UNKNOWN MUSICIANS (possibly Nicolas El Dik?)
Ourak El Nakhil
from the album Belly Dance! Music for an Oriental Dance, Vol. 2, 1973

2. OZEL TURKBAS
Organ Improvisation By Jimmy Linardos
from the album How To Belly Dance For Your Sultan, no date given

3. EDDIE "THE SHEIK" KOCHAK
Wedding Party
from the album Strictly Belly Dancing (Ya Habibi #2), 1973

4. JODETTE (KAMELIA) WITH ABOUD ABD EL AL AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Lesson #4: Shaking the Stomach
from the album How to Belly Dance (The Authentic Way) For Fun! Health! Profit!, 1972

5. YOUSSEF KASSAB
Talaa Min Bayt Abuha
from the album Nadira Belly Dances for Youssef Kassab, 1974

6. ABDUL ALEXI FREEMAN & HIS ENQUIRERS
The Sultan's Sister
from the album The Belly Dancer, no date given

7. AUTHENTIC ORCHESTRAS & SOLOISTS OF THE NEAR EAST
I'll Be Drunk Tonight (Karsilama)
from the album Music For Belly Dancing (aka Istanbul), no date given

8. EDDIE MEKJIAN & ENSEMBLE
Yaruss Kovetsi Sequence (Dubkie/Chifte Telli/Karshilama)
from the album Belly Dance Music From the Middle East - Vol. 2, no date given

9. KEMANI GARIB, ET. AL.
Suruverin Cezveler (Rampi-Karsilama) (9/8)
from the album Special Music For Your Belly Dancing, 1974-1975

10. GEORGE ABDO & HIS "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA
Meenie Yaba (Where Is My Love?)
from the album The Art of Belly Dancing, 1973

11. ROMEO LAHOUD
Khidni Maak Ala Darb Baidet
from the album Green Eyes and Oriental Moods, 1975

12. ANESTOS ATHOUNASIOU & HIS ENSEMBLE
Otan Klene Thio Karthies (When Two Hearts Cry)
from the album Music For Belly Dancing - Instrumentals From the Near East, no date given

13. THE SULTAN'S CARAVAN (FEATURING GUS VALI)
Mustapha
from the album Belly Dance to Great Navel Music, 1976

14. OMAR KHORSHID & HIS GUITAR
Laylet Hob
from the album Rhythms From the Orient, 1974 (CD reissue, Umbrella Records 2001)

Archive show #12, featuring some special requests at the end of the program! I'm always up for your requests; please let me know!

1. RAFIC HOBEIKA
Nado
from the album Music For an Oriental Dance Vol. 1 - Danses de Nadia Gamal, 1973

2. THE SHEIK'S MEN
The Belly Dancer
from the album The Belly Dancer, 1961

3. LUTFI GUNERI WITH ORIENTAL ORCHESTRA
Carsiya Vardim (Cifte Telli)
from the album Memories of Istanbul (Istanbul Hatiralar), no date given

4. THE "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA, FEATURING VOCALS BY GEORGE ABDO
Do Oul Mazahir (A Taste of Wine)
from the album Belly Dance Music, no date given

5. GUS VALI & HIS CASBAH ENSEMBLE
Yelakaiki
from the album All Points East, 1960

6. JALALEDDIN TAKESH
Vara Tageree
from the album Jalaleddin Presents Belly Dance Music, 1976

7. MOHAMMED EL-BAKKAR & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Raks El Dabka (Double String Dance)
from the album Dances of Port Said - Music of the Middle East, Vol. 5, 1960

8. RAYMOND MIRIJANIAN
Belly Dancer's Show: Yar Satch Larin, Madouvala, Helvaci, Te Na Ta Kano Ta Lefta
from the album Ray Mirijanian's Music For Belly Dancing Vol.1, no date given

9. TONI FRANGIEH (buzuk), SETRAK SARKISSIAN (tabla)
Ya Mal Esham
from the album Belly Dance Nights (Layale Bourg El Hamam), Vol. 2, 1977

10. BEL-SHA-ZAAR WITH TOMMY GENAPOPOLUIS & THE GRECIAN KNIGHTS
Hip Vibration
from the album The Art of Belly Dancing, 1969

11. ARTIE BARSAMIAN & HIS ORCHESTRA
Oriental Moods (Geozlarin)
from the album The Seventh Veil, no date given

12. MOHAMMED EL-SULIEMAN & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Whirling Sands
from the album The Music of Port Said, no date given

13. CHRIS KALOGERSON & HIS ENSEMBLE SHARQI
Ma Alli We Oltelou
from the album Belly Dance!, 1979

14. SONNY LESTER - HIS ORCHESTRA & CHORUS
Turkish
from the album Little Egypt Presents: How to Belly Dance For Your Husband, 1968

PLUS SPECIAL REQUESTS!

Sonny Lester - Dance of Enticement
David Carroll - Caravan
Artie Barsamian - The Seventh Veil
Artie Barsamian - Shadows in the Casbah

More vintage goodness from the vaults! Shimmy on!

1. HANK MARDIGIAN SEXTET FEATURING GEORGE MGRDICHIAN
Caucasian Dance
from the album Oriental Delight, no date given

2. OMAR KHORSHID & HIS GUITAR
Guitar El Chark
from the album Rhythms From the Orient, 1974 (CD reissue, Umbrella Records 2001)

3. YOUSEF KOUYOUMJIAN & HIS BAGDAD ENSEMBLE
Elef Leila Wa Leila (One Thousand and One Nights)
from the album Bagdad, no date given

4. MOHAMMED EL-BAKKAR & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Ali Baba
from the album The Magic Carpet - Music of the Middle East, Vol. 4, 1958

5. ARTIE BARSAMIAN & HIS ORCHESTRA
Looseen Cheegah
from the album More Belly Dance - Music of the Middle East, no date given

6. THE SULTANS
Dere (9/8 Karsilama)
from the album The Sultans Middle Eastern Band Vol. 1, 1981

7. ABDUL ALEXI FREEMAN AND HIS ENQUIRERS
Bubbies, Baubles & Anklets
from the album The Belly Dancer, no date given

8. EDDIE MEKJIAN & ENSEMBLE
Catherine (laz)
from the album Belly Dance Music From the Middle East - Vol. 1, no date given

9. GEORGE ABDO & HIS "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA
Belly Dance Fantasy (Complete Belly Dance Routine): Zanuba, Man Zaman, Chifte-Telli, Drum solo, Sulu Kule
from the album Belly Dancing with George Abdo, 1976

10. ROMEO LAHOUD
Ala Bali
from the album Dark Eyes and Oriental Moods, 1973

11. JODETTE (KAMELIA) WITH ABOUD ABD EL AL & HIS ORCHESTRA
Lesson #2: Hip Movement
from the album How to Belly Dance (The Authentic Way) For Fun! Health! Profit!, 1972

12. EDDIE "THE SHEIK" KOCHAK & HAKKI OBADIA ORCHESTRA
Sesame Jump
from the album Arrac-Laham Mishwee & Thou: Festive Dance Music from the Middle East, 1965

13. DJAMAL ASLAN
Inta Habibi (My Love)
from the album Lebanon - Her Heart, Her Sounds, no date given

14. THE FEENJON GROUP
Mustapha (Arabic)
from the album Recorded Live at Cafe Feenjon, 1966 (recorded 12/13/65)

15. UNKNOWN MUSICIANS (possibly Nicolas El Dik?)
Ghazalieh
from the album Belly Dance! Music for an Oriental Dance, Vol. 2, 1973

(I'm reposting this one; the holidays are coming up, you know!)

My dear friend Vajra at Conjure Oils ("Fine Fragrances Magickal and Mundane") has created a very special perfume oil inspired by the exotic music and heady bellydance magic of Radio Bastet!  Red Egyptian musk, attar of roses, amber, vanilla, patchouli and champa comprise this seductive blend that will have you shimmying and swaying the night away!

This fragrance is not part of the regular Conjure Oils line; Vajra will "conjure it up" especially for you when you request the Radio Bastet fragrance oil!  Please find ordering information here.  Samples are $3 each (there are sampler specials, check 'em out!); full bottles are available in either 5ml ($15) or 10ml ($25) sizes.  

Thank you, everyone, and trust me when I say that you won't be disappointed with this fragrance - it is YUMMY!!!

Many thanks and Happy Holidays!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting yet another stellar program from the vaults!  Shimmy on, I say!

PROGRAM 10 Playlist:

1. GUS VALI
Nosh
from the album Chimera - A Fantasy in Jazz/Rock/Mid-East Sounds, 1974

2. UNKNOWN ARTISTS (possibly Abou Abd El Aal?)
Balady
from the album Sweet Nights, 1967

3. BEL-SHA-ZAAR WITH TOMMY GENAPOPOLUIS & THE GRECIAN KNIGHTS
Bust Exercise
from the album The Art of Belly Dancing, 1969

4. GEORGE ABDO & HIS "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA
Raks Zeina (Dance, Oh Beautiful One!)
from the album The Magic of Belly Dancing, 1979

5. IBRAHIM TURMEN
Drum Solo
from the album Saidi Wind Vol. 1, 1985

6. ANESTOS ATHOUNASIOU AND HIS ENSEMBLE
Milao Me Ta Asteria (I Talk to the Stars)
from the album Music For Belly Dancing - Instrumentals from the Near East, no date given

7. SONNY LESTER & HIS ORCHESTRA
Snake Charmers Delight
from the album Little Egypt Presents: MORE How to Belly-Dance For Your Husband, no date given

8. OZEL TURKBAS
Ozel's Dance Routine
from the album How To Belly Dance For Your Sultan, no date given

9. YOUSSEF KASSAB
Ami Yabaya Al Ward
from the album Nadira Belly Dances for Youssef Kassab, 1974
(Marisa's note: This one has a hypnotic hook that's hard to resist!)

10. EDDIE "THE SHEIK" KOCHAK WITH HAKKI OBADIA
Mish Mish
from the album Strictly Belly Dancing, the 6th Volume, 1979

11. THE STEVO TEODOSIEVSKI ENSEMBLE (UNCREDITED)
Basal, Basal Seljadin
from the album Authentic Belly Dance Music, 1967

12. MOHAMMED EL-BAKKAR & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Yalla-Yalla (Come With Me)
from the album Sultan of Bagdad - Music of the Middle East Vol. 2, 1957

13. THE SHEIK'S MEN
Caravan
from the album The Belly Dancer, 1961

14. JOSEPH KARKOUR, ET. AL.
Taksim Accordion
from the album Belly Dance! Spectacular Rhythms from the Middle East, 1974

Sorry for the delay, folks!  I will try to get a new show up every Sunday night or so.  Here's the next archive show - shimmy on!

Program 9 Playlist:

1. OMAR KHORSHID & HIS GUITAR
Raqset El Fadaa
from the album Rhythms From the Orient, 1974 (CD reissue, Umbrella Records, 2001)

2. ESIN ENGIN
Anadolu Oyun Havasi
from the album Modern Oyun Havalari 2, 1975

3. EDDIE MEKJIAN & ENSEMBLE
Geobeg Havasi (Chifte Telli)
from the album Belly Dance Music From the Middle East - Vol. 2, no date given

4. JODETTE (KAMELIA) WITH ABOUD ABD EL AL & HIS ORCHESTRA
Lesson #1: The Entrance
from the album How to Belly Dance (The Authentic Way) For Fun! Health! Profit!, 1972

5. MOHAMMED EL-BAKKAR & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Ya Bakhita
from the album Music of the African Arab - Vol. 3, 1958

6. AUTHENTIC ORCHESTRAS & SOLOISTS OF THE NEAR EAST
Rast Taxim (Ud Solo)
from the album Music For Belly Dancing (aka Istanbul), no date given

7. OZEL TURKBAS
Bride From Bursa (Bursali)
from the album Alla-Turca (The Turkish Way), 1975

8. JIMMY LINARDOS & HIS NEAR-EAST GROUP
Belly Dance Routine Number Three
from the album Jimmy Linardos and His Near-East Group Invite You to Belly Dance, Vol. 1, 1974

9. DAVID CARROLL & HIS ORCHESTRA
Shish-Kebab
from the album Percussion Orientale, 1961

10. GUS VALI
Atchan Ya Sabaya
from the album Belly Dance Navel Academy Vol. 2, 1977

11. GEORGE ABDO & HIS "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA
Misirlou
from the album The Joy of Belly Dancing, 1975

12. ROMEO LAHOUD
Yam El Jadayel
from the album Green Eyes and Oriental Moods, 1975

13. KEMANI GARIB, ET. AL.
Rumeli Karsilamasi (9/8)
from the album Special Music For Your Belly Dancing, 1974-1975

14. ARTIE BARSAMIAN & HIS ORCHESTRA
Tootin Tzara
from the album Belly Dance Au Go-Go - Music of the Middle East, no date given

15. CHRIS KALOGERSON & HIS ENSEMBLE SHARQI
Tsifteteli Tou Yianni
from the album Belly Dance!, 1979

16. RAYMOND MIRIJANIAN
Arabian Debki Dance
from the album Ray Mirijanian's Music For Belly Dancing Vol.1, no date given

17. THE FEENJON GROUP
Biklibidia (Jewelry)
from the album Belly Dancing at the Cafe Feenjon, no date given

I realize I haven't updated in over 2 months.  I'm really sorry about that.  Real life, however, is intruding upon my internet life:

1.  My computer is suffering from a virus.  We've done everything short of actually taking it in and having it fixed.  In the meantime, internet work is quite a hassle.

2.  I'm working full-time this summer at a temp job.  I have very little free time anymore.  The site hasn't been updated and the house is a mess.  So, there's that.

So please, bear with me a bit longer.  I wish I were SuperWoman, but I'm just not.  Hope you all are having a great summer.

More archive goodness!   Shimmy on!

1. ROMEO LAHOUD
Dabke Nouerieh - 3:34
from the album Dark Eyes and Oriental Moods, 1973
(Marisa's note: Again, the artist is not listed on the album cover or LP, but it does say "all songs composed by Romeo Lahoud," so I'm guessing he is the artist as well. Sure would be nice to know for sure...)

2. GEORGE ABDO & HIS "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA
Hadouni, Hadouni (Your Bewitching Eyes) - 3:46
from the album The Art of Belly Dancing, 1973
(Marisa's note: One of George's most popular tunes among dancers! I think it's his spirited vocal encouragement in the middle of the song...!)

3. THE SULTAN'S CARAVAN (FEATURING GUS VALI)
Sauda Sauda - 3:48
from the album Belly Dance to Great Navel Music, 1976

4. JOHN BERBERIAN
Laz (Turkish) - 4:24
from the album Ode To An Oud, 1974

5. BEL-SHA-ZAAR WITH TOMMY GENAPOPOLUIS & THE GRECIAN KNIGHTS
Arm and Hand Movement - 2:48
from the album The Art of Belly Dancing, 1969

6. YOUSEF KOUYOUMJIAN AND HIS BAGDAD ENSEMBLE
Baghdad Havasih (Bagdad Air) - 3:10
from the album Bagdad, no date given

7. SONNY LESTER - HIS ORCHESTRA & CHORUS
Boom Boom - 2:36
from the album Little Egypt Presents: How to Belly Dance For Your Husband, 1968
(Marisa's note: The coolest tune on this very cool record!)

8. JALALEDDIN TAKESH
Dance for Amir - 18:18
from the album Jalaleddin Presents Belly Dance Music Vol. 2, 1977

9. ARTIE BARSAMIAN & HIS ORCHESTRA
The Candy Maker (Hulvage) - 2:53
from the album The Seventh Veil, no date given

10. THE SULTANS
Adanali - 4:32
from the album The Sultans Middle Eastern Band Vol. 1, 1981

11. MOHAMMED EL-BAKKAR & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Port Said - 3:39
from the album Port Said - Music of the Middle East, 1958

12. LUTFI GUNERI WITH ORIENTAL ORCHESTRA
Opturmem (Cifte Telli) - 2:44
from the album Memories of Istanbul (Istanbul Hatiralar), no date given

13. HANK MARDIGIAN SEXTET FEATURING GEORGE MGRDICHIAN
Dance of the Veil (Chefte Telli) - 3:23
from the album Oriental Delight, no date given

14. THE SHEIK'S MEN
Song for Belly Dancer - 2:30
from the album The Belly Dancer, 1961

One of my favorite archive episodes!  Enjoy!

1. MOHAMMED EL-BAKKAR & HIS ORIENTAL ENSEMBLE
Improvisation - 3:43
from the album Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer - Music of the Middle East, Vol. 6, 1966

2. GUS VALI & HIS CASBAH ENSEMBLE
Bachelerde - 2:12
from the album Dance Bellyrina Dance, 1963

3. THE FEENJON GROUP
Walla Dai (Arabic) - 3:52
from the album Recorded Live at Cafe Feenjon, 1966 (recorded 12/13/65)
(Marisa's note: One of my all-time favorite tunes!)

4. DJAMAL ASLAN
Ya Bint Ya Amoora (O Radiant One) - 3:09
from the album Lebanon - Her Heart, Her Sounds, no date given

5. ALEXIS & HIS ENSEMBLE
Bir Gun (Someday) - 3:08
from the album Exotic Dances For Wives and Lovers, no date given

6. IBRAHIM TURMEN
Yama Sawa - 2:06
from the album Saidi Wind Vol. 1, 1985

7. UNKNOWN MUSICIANS (POSSIBLY NICHOLAS EL DIK ORCHESTRA?)
Title Unknown! - 3:18
from the album Belly Dance! Music for an Oriental Dance, Vol. 2, 1973
(Marisa's note: This track personifies what is so frustrating about collecting belly dance LPs! The side this tune is on has 4 tracks, but only 3 are listed on the album cover. And of course, no musicians are listed either. So I have no idea who recorded this song (but it may well be the Nicholas El Dik Orchestra, I've since discovered), and I have no idea what the name of the song is, but it's one of the best ones on the album!! Arrgghh!!!! It's definitely a debke, though...)

8. RAYMOND MIRIJANIAN
Tsifte Teli - 3:18
from the album Ray Mirijanian's Music For Belly Dancing Vol. 1, no date given

9. YOUSSEF KASSAB, HAMOUDA ALI
Belly Dance Routine #2: Nay solo, elsamer, rumba, hebbina, nay takasim, dalal, accordion (balady), drum solo, finale - 20:02
from the album Belly Dance - A Gift from Cairo!, 1980
(Marisa's note: Youssef Kassab also recorded as Joseph Kassab on several LPs.)

10. THE SHEIK'S MEN
Lady Unveiling - 1:40
from the album The Belly Dancer, 1961

11. RAJA
Drum Sequence - 2:59
from the album Lebanon, 1980
(Marisa's note: I call this one the "disco/Star Wars bellydance drum solo"!)

12. OZEL TURKBAS
Taksimler - 4:46
from the album How To Make Your Husband A Sultan, no date given

13. EDDIE "THE SHEIK" KOCHAK
Shifte Armany - 4:22
from the album Strictly Belly Dancing (Ya Habibi #2), 1973

14. EDWARD MEKJIAN & HIS ENSEMBLE
Hella Hella - 4:13
from the album Belly Dance Music from the Middle East Vol. 3, no date given
(Marisa's note: This one is hella fresh! Depending on the album, Mr. Mekjian went by either Eddie or Edward.)

Another grand archive episode!  Shimmies!  Apologies for my none-too-professional zaghareet in the intro (you may want to turn your volume down, heh...).

1. JOSEPH KARKOUR, ET. AL.
Farhat Shabab - 2:21
from the album Belly Dance! Spectacular Rhythms from the Middle East, 1974

2. ANESTOS ATHOUNASIOU & HIS ENSEMBLE
Mia Nihta Mayemeni (One Magic Night) - 2:39
from the album Music for Belly Dancing - Instrumentals From the Near East, no date given

3. EDDIE MEKJIAN & ENSEMBLE
Nor Pessa (Syrto) - 3:19
from the album Belly Dance Music from the Middle East - Vol. 1, no date given

4. THE STEVO TEODOSIEVSKI ENSEMBLE (UNCREDITED)
Mojilo Cindilo - 3:02
from the album Authentic Belly Dance Music, 1976

5. CHRIS KALOGERSON & HIS ENSEMBLE SHARQI
Tsifteteli El Greco - 2:26
from the album Belly Dance!, 1979

6. SONNY LESTER & HIS ORCHESTRA
Flirtation on the Nile - 2:00
from the album Little Egypt Presents: MORE How to Belly-Dance For Your Husband, no date given

7. GUS VALI
The Speechless Animal - 3:24
from the album Let's Belly Dance, 1973
(Marisa's note: There's not a lot of slow stuff at Radio Bastet, but this is one of the coolest. I did my first veil routine to this!)

8. THE SULTANS
Organ, Ney, Drum (improvisation) - 4:53
from the album The Sultans Middle Eastern Band Vol. 1, 1981

9. JODETTE (KAMELIA) WITH ABOUD ABD EL AL & HIS ORCHESTRA
History of Belly Dancing and Five Common Cymbal Patterns - 11:40
from the album How to Belly Dance (The Authentic Way) For Fun! Health! Profit!, 1972

10. DAVID CARROLL & HIS ORCHESTRA
Danse Orientale - 2:07
from the album Percussion Orientale, 1961

11. KEMANI GARIB, ET. AL.
Siseler (2/4) - 2:28
from the album Special Music For Your Belly Dancing, 1974-1975

12. THE "FLAMES OF ARABY" ORCHESTRA, FEATURING VOCALS BY GEORGE ABDO
Ya Wail (Don't Play with Fire) - 5:58
from the album Belly Dance Music, no date given

13. ARTIE BARSAMIAN & HIS ORCHESTRA
Raks Jemil I - 2:35
from the album More Belly Dance - Music of the Middle East, no date given
(Marisa's note: There are 2 tunes on this album titled "Raks Jemil", in typical lazy-record-company fashion; I arbitrarily designated them I and II.)

14. TONI FRANGIEH (buzuk), SETRAK SARKISSIAN (tabla)
Raksat El Helween - 4:07
from the album Belly Dance Nights (Layale Bourg El Hamam), Vol. 2, 1977

15. ESIN ENGIN
Zennube - 2:24
from the album Modern Oyun Havalari 2, 1975

16. RAFIC HOBEIKA
Sahar - 8:39
from the album Music for an Oriental Dance Vol. 1 - Danses de Nadia Gamal, 1973