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Ayeshteni

Ayeshteni

a review by Stephen Fruitman of
release format Ayeshteni by Natacha Atlas (CD Album)

text

If the "sophomore jinx" ever struck Natacha Atlas, then maybe the more cynically inclined might point to her third album, 'Gedida'. While a thoroughly enjoyable excursion, it inevitably seems to lack some of the oomph of her smashing solo debut, 'Diaspora' with its contagious "Yalla Chant", and the follow-up CD, the brilliant 'Halim', where she established herself as a pop stylist and arranger of visionary capacity.

'Gedida' was a somewhat more intimate affair, with Atlas cast more in the role of chanteuse than belly-dancing party girl. Still, she always delivers good value for your dinar, as she proves on her fourth effort, 'Ayeshteni'. On the cover she's all kitted out in Yemeni bridal wear. To say that one felt a shiver of skepticism upon flipping the album over and discovering that she intended to take a crack at the classic Screamin' Jay Hawkins tune 'I Put a Spell on You' is an understatement.

Happily, it's absolutely wonderful. She brings an entire Arabic orchestra, raļ rhythms, scratching, soaring background melismatics and snatches of rap, and a heaping helping of humour to bear on the tune. The rest of the album (where she is ably assisted as usual by her Transglobal Underground colleagues plus a host of the best session musicians the Mahgreb can offer), while not as astonishingly fresh as her first two, still ought to please her fans considerably and win her a few more to boot. Posted by Stephen Fruitman at 00:00, 27 Apr 2001