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Here's something different; on this 1999 release, familiar Christmas songs are created again with luscious ancient rhythms from the Middle East. Several drummers provide a rich tapestry colored by Andalin Bachman's warm wooden flute tones. Her flute interplays with the passionate virtuoso drumming of Rami Ziadeh (currently residing in the Bay Area, he was raised as a child in Bethlehem and born on Christmas Day -- no wonder he shines on Little Drummer Boy!) While mostly instrumental, several songs feature the lovely voice of Amy Faust. We now have Christmas music from many parts of the world, but this is the first we know about with more direct links to where it all happened in the first place.