Belly Dance. . . at its best

(HMC DVD 8600) This DVD features performances by a great line up of top US dancers - Jilina, Aziza, Ansuya, Rania and Tamra-henna.

I really like this DVD for lots of reasons. First of all of course is the list of performers - all dancers at the top of their profession who give beautiful polished performances. I have my favourites but then who wouldn't!

The ones I enjoyed most were Jilina - particularly the first number to Enter the Rakkasa, which was a really lovely magensi (opening). Tamra-henna, who sadly only had one number compared with the two or even three from the other dancers. Aziza is as always an absolute pleasure and joy to watch - I thought that her rendition of Alf Leyla Wa Leyla was just wonderful!

There were some disappointments - I’m afraid I will admit to not being a fan of Rania, so as a result I didn’t really enjoy her numbers. It’s hard to put my finger on what it is exactly but somehow she just doesn’t ‘float my boat’. I wonder whether she is one of those performers you can really only appreciate live and that her filmed performances just don’t do her justice? Some dancers just don’t flower in a studio situation and yet can be magical when seen live. Maybe one day I’ll find out!

Another DVD I would watch again - the contrasts between all the different dancers make it interesting viewing.

One of the things I always like about HMC produced DVDs is that they have high production values. The sets are always beautiful and on the whole they tend to avoid horrible choppy MTV-style cutting. Many DVD producers seem unable to understand that a dance DVD should be about exactly that and not constant close-ups of the performer's face or strange camera angles. I like watching HMC DVDs because most of the time they get it right and we get the right mix of the occasional close up so that we can admire technique or costumes but mostly we are presented with angles that allow us to enjoy the dancing. They do occasionally have a lapse and get carried away with flickering lights or overuse the smoke machine but in general they do get it right.

DVD courtesy of Metronome Music where you can buy the DVD - www.classicalmusicstore.co.uk

This review first appeared in Taqasim Magazine.

Afra is a regular review writer for Taqasim and other magazines, and is often approached to review music and DVDs for many publications. If you would like her to review your product either for Taqasim or a speicific publication please email her at afra@afraalkahira.com