Though you’ll rarely catch dancers at a pub session, there’s nothing more evocative than this glorious set of tunes, consisting largely of reels, provided by the county Clare pairing of Hill and MacMahon, on concertina and accordion respectively. Noel Hill and Tony MacMahon: I gCnoc na Graí (Gael Linn, 1985) This rapid 4/4 dance form subsequently became the king of Ireland’s traditional music which, apart from slow airs, consists almost entirely of dance tunes, all imported from other parts of Europe. The reel is reckoned to have reached Ireland towards the end of the 18th century. Various Artists: The Rough Guide to Bellydance (World Music Network, 2002)Īs complete and varied an introduction to Middle Eastern dance music as you could wish for. Make no mistake, despite worthy attempts to rehabilitate it as a cosy alternative to Pilates, belly dancing is meant to stir the loins. The mood of the dance is wholly dictated by these beats, from the most basic maqsoum rhythm – with its immediately recognisable dum-tak tak-dum tak pattern – to the rolling and subtle Turkish çhiftitelli or the quixotic 7/8 Laz. Literally ‘Eastern dance’ but better known as ‘belly dance’, raqs sharki uses a whole range of rhythms from around the Middle Eastern as a backdrop to the sensuous, flowing movements of the performers. This compelling set includes a number of haunting polska tunes. Recommended albumįrifot, comprising fiddler Per Gudmundson, mandola player Ale Möller and vocalist Lena Willemark, is one of the best traditional bands in Sweden. Once you’ve fallen under its spell, its quirky magic is powerful both in concert and on the dance floor. Rather than accenting the first beat, as in a waltz, the polska accents beats one and three. Not to be confused with the polka (a fast duple-beat dance from Bohemia), the polska is a slow lop-sided waltz from Sweden which can be tricky for newcomers to get their feet around. The name means ‘the playing of four things’ – namely the percussion instruments involved.
Samul Nori: Drums & Voices of Korea (WEA, 1983)įounded in 1978, Samul Nori have become synonymous with nongak farmer’s music. While playing, the musicians do acrobatic dancing and spin ribbons on their hats. The four percussion instruments involved are the changgo (hourglass drum), puk (barrel drum) and a small and large gong. It’s been transformed into an exhilarating performance art by Kim Duk Soo. Nongak is the energetic drum-led farmers’ music of Korea which is linked to shamanic ceremonies and traditionally played at celebrations and harvest. This is Part 2 of 50 Rhythms of the World, for Part 1 follow the link: 50 Rhythms of the World (Part 1 – A to M)