Brian Keane and Omar Faruk Tekbilek first combined forces on Keane"s soundtrack to Suleyman the Magnificent, a film about the great Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The score, a stunning blend of exotic Turkish instruments and innovative orchestrations, created quite a stir when Celestial Harmonies released the music on a 1988 album by the same title. Although the American guitarist and Turkish multi-instrumentalist hail from very different worlds and backgrounds, they developed a close musical rapport that has since led to another cross-cultural collaboration. Fire Dance is a spirited blend of Middle Eastern and North African instruments, synthesizers, and guitars, supported by sophisticated arrangements and studio techniques. A natural progression from Suleyman the Magnificent, the focus of this new album has been expanded beyond Turkey to include music from North Africa, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern and Arabic sources. For instance, Song of the Pharaohs combines Tekbilek"s haunting solos on the flute-like ney with windchime flourishes, distant horns, ethereal synthesizers, and the voices of strangers to create a mystical impression of the distant time of the ancient pharaohs. A Passage East is a showcase for both the Turkish musician"s impeccable percussion and Keane"s superb guitar chops. Halay is a joyous celebration of driving rhythms and uplifting melodies. Other selections feature the oud (similar to the lute), the zurna (similar to the oboe), and a colorful array of percussion instruments in artful alliance with the best ideas the West has to offer. Fire Dance is an adventure in musical transformation by two consummate musicians who bridge traditions with grace and innovation.