Hossam Ramzy Egyptian Rai [2006]

"...A listen to....EGYPTIAN RAI gives you an idea why [Led Zeppelin] hooked up with a Cairo belly-dancing orchestra in the first place. Loud, fast, hardhitting and trippy, Ramzy and the group are the Middle Eastern equivalent of classic guitar rock..."
"...a diverse outpouring of traditional and cross-pollinated Middle Eastern music that demonstrates the adaptability of the Algerian-spawned rai movement, a rebellious musical strain that embraces street-wise expression..."
"...Ramzy's hand-drum leads the group with intricate rhythmic patterns, and while the arrangements rely on traditional instrumentation (violin, oud, bamboo flute, etc.), you can easily hear some well-integrated innovations; various cuts offer accordion, saxophone, and some genuinely jazzy trumpet lines..."