Zachary J. Mechlem

Zachary J. Mechlem is a member of the World Fusion trio, Mohenjo Daro. His latest solo CD, "Sameera" is a raw and dynamic collection of original belly dance music inspired by trance, tribal, and gypsi music of Northern Africa & The Middle East. Mechlem performs every instrument on the album except the flute, which is brilliantly executed by Johnny Ruzsa, also of Mohenjo Daro. For this recording Mechlem uses traditional Arabic percussion but string tracks were done using banjo, acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, and banjo-mandolin. Another unique touch is the use of drum kit on select tracks, providing a deeper groove and backbeat to accompany the more traditional Arabic rhythms. Mechlem's only personal ties to the East are his Roma (gypsi) roots but "Sameera" is intended more as a tribute to the 70's era of Belly Dance music he heard as a kid, when his own mother was a professional belly dancer. His solo debut was in 2000 with east meets west soundtrack, The Haight Gang, a Wild West concept record that combines Arabic, Indian, and Spanish music with Country and Rock.