Hossam Ramzy: Inspiration for Musicians and Dancers
by Eric Peterson
© 2006

“The Sultan of Swing,” “Egypt’s Ambassador of Rhythm,” master musician, teacher, mentor, and friend:  Many titles much deserving for a person who represents so much to many people.  Musicians, dancers and music fans all find something so wonderful and inspirational in the music that Hossam Ramzy creates.

It’s easy for me to write on this subject, as I could never get tired of saying how much I’m inspired by Hossam Ramzy’s music.  I play Middle Eastern percussion and I owe much of what I do to his fine example as a musician and creative artist.

With numerous recordings to his credit - considering many original compositions, and including work he’s contributed to other artist’s projects - one could dive in anywhere and experience the best of what he does.  This is one of the things that make him so special as an artist.  He always brings the best of himself to everything he does, and in the process he expands the perimeters of any piece of music he’s involved in.

Percussionist, composer, producer and arranger, he’s comfortable in any role for creating music.  In my opinion, he represents the very best manifestation of the balance between traditional and contemporary music, as well as pointing to the future explorations in Egyptian music.  I can think of very few Middle Eastern, North African, or world music artists who continuously broaden these horizons in the way his music is presently doing.

Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, Joan Armatrading, Phil Thornton, Loreena McKennitt, Chick Corea, Ricky Martin are naming only a few of so many artists to feature Mr. Ramzy’s talents on a recording.  Experimental music, jazz, rock, New Age, movie soundtracks, he’s comfortable in many settings, and you hear him take flight no matter where he’s picking up a drum and working magic.

To hear recordings of his original compositions, you’ll always hear an artist developing himself, soaring to newer heights, he’s one who never sits back and coasts on repeating himself.  This is why I always look forward to any new project he’s involved in.

I’m a drummer.  Naturally, two of my favorite records of his are his Sabla Tolo releases, Volumes One and Two.  What makes these specific records so great is that they are NOT drum solo records, they are wonderful compositions, a journey of percussion and rhythm.

Some additional favorite recordings like Source of Fire and Secrets of the Eye feature some fine treatments of horns and keyboards, melodically blending traditional Egyptian instruments with modern Western instruments.  Flamenco Arabe Volume One and Two are wonderful records that blend the fiery passion of Spanish Flamenco with serpentine Egyptian rhythms.  The album Faddah features classic Arabic pieces of music and a mix of original compositions.

These recordings, as a few examples, all showcase Mr. Ramzy’s fine taste in musical arrangements and production.  The sound quality of his recordings are additional examples of his high standards.  His music breathes through any sound system with presence and clarity.

Naturally, the percussion arrangements are so impressive, as Mr. Ramzy performs all of the arrangements himself.  Egyptian tabla, riq (Arabic tambourine), duf (frame drum), and sagat (zils) all weave like a sonic fabric of color and texture, making the rhythm a treat for any listener.

I love the artistry of many drummers, but there’s something very special about Hossam Ramzy’s musicianship that makes him so unique as to be my favorite drummer of all.

His creativity, technique, and knowledge of rhythm is masterful.  His phrasing is clear, lyrical, and inventive.  These are the details that one can find words for.  The real beauty is in the listening of his playing, it speaks for itself.  Hossam Ramzy’s music is always passionate and heartfelt, which is why it is accessible to a variety of listeners, not just musicians and dancers.  A music lover will be drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

A dancer cannot sit still when hearing his music, and a drummer sits on the edge of his seat, totally absorbed in each fiery riff from the tabla, hoping he can learn a fraction of it as it blazes by.

When Mr. Ramzy is creating magic, there are many of us listening and loving it, and always looking forward to hearing more.
 

Please visit Hossam Ramzy’s homepage (www.hossamramzy.com) for CD's, video, and DVD's.
For all you drummers out there, you need to look for the HOSSAM RAMZY SIGNATURE SERIES TABLA, available through his online music store.
This drum is the best tabla I’ve ever played, and this is THE drum for you if you are serious about playing a top quality instrument.