Album 2

• Artist: Alabína
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 27, 1998
• Genre: Rock

Review

Album 2 contains possibly the clearest representation of Alabina's sound. The Arabic "Salma Ya Salama" flows seamlessly into the flamenco of "Ya Mama Ya Mama", which sets the tone for the rest of the album, demonstrating the striking fusion of Middle Eastern textures, flamenco guitar riffs and modern Euro club beats that make up Alabina's music. The flamenco-flavored version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is an interesting experiment, as is their cover of "Habibi", a song made famous by Egyptian singer Amr Diab. By contrast, "Somos Gitanos" sounds like an Arabic-flavored Gypsy Kings song, and "Me Encuentro En Tu Desierto" ("I Find Myself in Your Desert") is a synth-heavy MOR ballad. The slick production and occasional synthesizers give the album much more of a pop sheen than most world music albums, which sometimes makes it seem a bit lightweight, but the musicianship of the backing group, Los Ninos De Sara, is still impressive, and singer Ishtar's voice is distinctive enough to give it an edge. Fans of world pop looking for a danceable, Arabic-flavored sound should give Album 2 a listen. ~ Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Falma Ya Falma [Arabic Version]	Pierre Delanoé, Jeff Barnel	Alabína	(3:32)
Ya Mama Ya Mama [Spanish Version]	Pedro Maza Luaces, Charles Burbank	Alabína	(4:05)
Me Encuentro en Tu Desierto [Sahara]	David Batteau, Michael Sembello, Cruz Baca Sembello	Alabína	(5:49)
Habibi de Mis Amores (Habibi Ya Nour el Ein)		Alabína	(4:09)
Azima Leyla	Samy Goz, Pedro Maza Luaces, Charles Burbank	Alabína	(4:40)
Choukrane	Samy Goz, Pedro Maza Luaces, Charles Burbank	Alabína	(4:04)
Lolole (Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood)		Alabína	(3:38)
Somos Gitanos	Samy Goz, Pedro Maza Luaces, Charles Burbank	Alabína	(3:56)
Shir Ha' Keshet (The Rainbow Song)	D.R., D.R.S.	Alabína	(4:03)
Alabina Megamix	Charles Burbank	Alabína	(6:22)
Baila Maria [New Version]	Samy Goz, Pedro Maza Luaces, Eti Zak, Ronny Gold, Charles Burbank	Alabína	(3:49)
Ya Mama Ya Mama [Salsa Version]	Pedro Maza Luaces, Charles Burbank	Alabína	(4:10)
Salma Ya Salama [Spanish Version]	Pierre Delanoé, Jeff Barnel	Alabína	(3:28)

Credits

Michael Sembello (Guitar), Michael Sembello (Producer), Craig Bevan (Mastering), Alabína (Main Performer), Carla Leighton (Design), Pedro Maza Luaces (Arranger), Pedro Maza Luaces (Adaptation), Charles Abelan (Arranger), Charles Abelan (Adaptation)