  ![1. East/West Highway
2. Body And Soul
3. Golestan Interlude
4. Skyline Drive
5. 1001 Nights [prelude]
6. 1001 Nights
7. October Moon
8. Jakarta
9. One Passion Dance
10. Lost Words
11. Wild World [remix]
12. Yasmine
13. Cante Kian
14. Middle of the Night
15. Melting Heart
16. The Last Goodbye
17. Through Your Eyes
18. Midnight at the Basilica](http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/eworldrecords_2000_56214744)
While their names may seem indicative of something exotic and unfamiliar, the music of Shahin
Shahida (acoustic and Spanish guitars) and Sepehr Haddad (guitars and keyboards) is smooth,
easy-listening material designed to rest comfortably on Western ears. The Iranian duo's lively
sound revolves around Shahin's graceful, flamenco-tinged guitar textures, unobtrusively
embellished by Sepehr's keys and the same low-key, groove-based rhythmic underpinnings that
propel the music of 3rd Force. (William Aura and 3rd Force are routinely involved in the
production of Shahin & Sepehr's music.) East/West Highway is a best-of compilation that
samples the duo's first four recordings (while also tossing in two new tracks), and it presents a
decent showcase of the musicians' strengths and a minor weakness. On the plus side, the pair's
sound is handsome, intelligent, and refreshing, with just enough rhythmic and ethnic spice to
produce a stylish, feel-good atmosphere. The down side: Many pieces sound so similar it's
difficult to distinguish one composition from the other. Fortunately, for listeners with a taste for
smooth, Spanish-flavored music (with occasional Arabic and samba flourishes; "Jakarta" and
"Midnight at the Basilica" are winning examples), they all sound pretty good. Pop the CD in your
changer with a few other discs, hit shuffle, and you'll likely enjoy the results. --Terry Wood
Interested in Flamenco?
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