Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Omar Khorshid And His Guitar - Rhythms From The Orient (LP)
 | This is the original lp release from 1974 of one of the most intriguing belly dance records. It prominently features real surf guitar in several places. |
Picks: Raqset El Fadaa, Guitar El Chark, Takassim Sanat Alfeyn, Layet Hom, Lama Bada Yatsana, Teletya Mahla Nourha, Ah Ya Zen
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Opening slowly with a two-minute soft surf guitar solo accompanied by organ, followed by an almost Dick Dale-esq solo for another minute. Once the beat ensues, the rhythm takes over. Traditional tablas and finger cymbals eventually give rise to surf guitar and organ, rolling out the circular melody line like building surf lapping the shore. Very cool and mysterious.
Surf (Instrumental)
Tweaky 'Arabic Synth' swirls beneath what becomes an almost carnival sequence. It reminds me of some of Dick Hyman's early Moog work juxtaposed into the Middle East.
Surf (Instrumental)
Reverbed guitar circulates through a Middle Eastern scale, setting a scene of oasis tents on Bedouin trade routes. About five minutes in, the reverb intensifies and the drama builds. Then, double picked surf guitar that's so Dick Dale-ish, it's scary. Virtually all in solo mode, this is a stellar track.
Surf (Instrumental)
A rolling guitar intro moves into organ toned synthesizer before opening the main section. "Layet Hom" is synth driven and very suave. The surf guitar makes the scene almost six minutes into the track.
Lama Bada Yatsana Surf (Instrumental)
Near surf guitar delivers the melody line in "Lama Bada Yatsana" against very cool rhythms. Only the synth disrupts the scene.
Teletya Mahla Nourha Surf (Instrumental)
Synth weirdness opens this Dick Hyman-esq track. Keys dominate "Teletya Mahla Nourha," which remains in the pop arena.
Surf (Instrumental)
Very tasteful guitar plays a very surfable riff, though there is no reverb. A very smooth and enjoyable journey into exotic terrane.