Haunting Arabesque Music

[Julee]

Hello. I'm referring to the kind of haunting, Arabic-Style music played in films such as "Black Hawk Down" & games such as "Full Spectrum Warrior." Would anybody know where I could obtain such music or what the style is called? I have not been able to find anything similar. Thank you!

[Philtaz]

The Black Hawk Down soundtrack was by Hans Zimmer.  Whilst having provided the score for dozens of films I haven't heard him do anything similar to BHD, though you may find further links or listen to samples from this page:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005UWHH/qid%3D1108203631/202-4599553-8226225

[Philtaz]

Further to my last answer have a listen to the soundtrack from the recent remake of The Four Feathers starring Heath Ledger.

[Philtaz]

I've tried for a 'listen to samples' link on Amazon but there aren't any.  This however is a section from one reviewer:

There are two aspects to the music of this score - the Western and the North African. Horner starts off with the African with the first track, The Makings Of A Fine Soldier, which is very reminiscent of the first track in Glory, except for the African wailings. The second track, The Dance, introduces the Western side of the music, including one of the many melancholic themes that will be heard in the rest of the score. Probably the most melancholic is the quiet piano that starts off The Letters. It is very simple, yet almost heartbreaking - and this from someone who hasn't seen the movie.

However, the most unique feature of this score must be the African wailings by Rahat Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan. It is used quite often, sometimes sounding like a distant wail, other times as a chaotic, almost scary cry that some found irritating. I actually found it very interesting. For instance, in one of the few action cues of the score, Escape, the wailings coupled with the rumbling and pounding percussion in the background perfectly created a kind of tension, and even though I have not seen the film I actually felt that tension. And truth is I must have worn out the CD just listening to that track. One track composed only of the wailings, the occasional drum, and random chimes, The Martyrs, is very soulful. And then there's the very skillful combination of both the Western aspect and the North African aspect in The Mahdi, where both aspects weave in and out of each other - strings, drums, wailings, and some sort of African bagpipe in the background, even synths - creating a score that no one has ever heard before. For those Horner critics who are unhappy with his apparent self-plagiarising in many of his scores, this one serves as a notable exception.

Hope this helps.

 

[Julee]

Thank you very much Philtaz!! You have been more than helpful & I am very grateful! I am off to seek those recommendations out. Thank you once again.