Ayeshteni [Import]

1. Shubra

2. Gout du Pain

3. Ashwa

4. Ayeshteni

5. Ne Me Quitte Pas

6. Mish Fadilak

7. Rah

8. I Put a Spell on You

9. Lelsama

10. Fakrenha

11. Manbai

12. Mish Fadilak [Version Francaise]

Tracks:

Shubra
I Put A Spell On You
Ashwa
Ayeshteni
Soleil D'Egypte
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Mish Fidilak
Rah
Lelsama
Fakrenha
Manbai

Amazon.com

With her fourth solo recording, Ayeshteni, Egyptian songstress Natacha Atlas puts her voice dead center, coming on snake-hipped, seductive, and sophisticated with a feral emotional core. Made in Cairo (with some assistance from her Transglobal Underground mates, whom Atlas has collaborated with since the early '90s), the songs swell shaabi style, incorporating trippy beats, guttural cries, sinuous strings, and a disturbing yet undeniable beauty that brings no one to mind so much as musical kindred spirit Björk. The latter is perhaps most evident on the artist's bewitching scratch-filled take on Screamin' Jay Hawkins's "I Put a Spell on You" and the Jacques Brel classic "Ne Me Quitte Pas," infused here with North African-by-21st-century fervor. Elsewhere, Western listeners need not fear the Arabic language; Atlas's focused delivery and challenging arrangements are more than tastefully tuneful, rather they are so compelling as to transcend language and cultural barriers. This is music of the cells, the body, and the roaming spirit; yet another way to free the mind and have the flesh follow. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Very disappointing.......2007-03-19

The best song on this CD is the one that's available for free as an Amazon download. Its "Mish Fadilak". For a very pricey CD this was not very good.

The Magic Spell of Natacha Atlas ..........2006-12-28

Natacha Atlas manages to weave Egyptian/Arabic music into a mesmerizing experience with her English version of Screamin' Joe Hawkins "I put a spell on you" and the beautiful French tune, "Ne Me Quitte Pas" ... It is her smokey, sultry, sexy voice which will definitely do the trick if by chance the exotic Arabic music and instruments should fail ... *not* likely to happen.

The traditional and modern instruments, the oud, the darbouka (percussion) and drums, occasionally the violin, viola or cello, qanun, along with the clarinet and guitar create an exciting adventurous visit to an Arabic cafe ...The programming, back up vocals, and overall stylization of music is exceptional in creating a mood and feeling which is truly cultural and authentic.

The entire CD contains music and vocals which capture the listener's attention and captivate for the entire playing time ... Take a look at the cover, Natacha's voice sounds as enticing as her extraordinairy beauty ... She has an outstanding ability to interpret the traditional cultural Arabic vocals and music into mainstream music. It is a most precious gift. Erika Borsos (pepper flower)

Not her best..........2004-10-24

It's not her best. Most songs are weak and way different from her style. The only songs i really like on that cd is Shubra and Mish Fidalak.

Sultry Arabica Meets Beautiful Electronica.......2004-08-21

I love this album. It is a sucsesful mix of great vocals (in French, Arabic and English) with wonerful production from the electronica artist Trans Global Underground. The creative, tight production values consistant with the rest of his work, and mix superbly with Natacha's already beautiful, sultry style.

All the songs are great, and her version of "I Put A Spell On You" leaves all others' versions of the song in the dust.

Got dock a star for Spell.......2003-12-04

I'd like to weigh in on Natacha Atlas' choice of I Put A Spell on You as a cover. It starts off well, with the scratching and ominous beat. Then, when she sings the first line, her voice sounds a bit on the thin side but I am still OK. Unfortunately, she falls back on "la-la-las" as bridges between the lurics and this comes, off as a crutch, i.e., she does not feel comfortable with the silences so necessary to blues phrasing. If she really felt it was necessary to do THIS song and really had to do the la-la-las, then she should have cut them out during the final mix. I mean, they're recording this in digital, right? So it would not difficult. Cutting out those la-la-las would have left her voice sounding exposed and vulnerable and this song would have worked in an exposed/vulnerable way. As is, it is a bit embarrassing and I will be programming this song out when I listen to the CD. Oh. One last thing: another reviewer was right about the last track "Manbai." It does come off as one of those dance remix bonuses and is out of character with the rest of the songs. I like what Natacha does, so will cut her a bit of slack and only deduct one star, although the two aforementioned tracks are mistakes. Natacha: stick to Arabic (although the French is OK in a kitschy sort of way. It is a beautiful language. You sing it beautifully.

Average customer rating:

Worth having even if you already own it!
Enchanting

Ayeshteni
Natacha Atlas
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Arabic | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005B604
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

Shubra
Gout du Pain
Ashwa
Ayeshteni
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Mish Fadilak
Rah
I Put a Spell on You
Lelsama
Fakrenha
Manbai
Mish Fadilak [Version Francaise]

Customer Reviews:

Worth having even if you already own it!.......2002-02-07

...because this is a different version.

This French version of "Ayeshteni" is definitely worth considering for the two extra songs not found on the International version: "Le Gout du Pain" and "Mish Fadilak (French Version)", which is shorter than the Arabic version with some slight differences in arrangements. You do lose "Soleil D'Egypte", but I consider it a fair tradeoff.

This version also contains the original, non-remixed version of "Manbai". It has a more "lounge-y" and laid-back feel and is about ten minutes long -- and I prefer it to the Nitin Sawhney remix.

Overall I find "Ayeshteni" a weaker effort than Natacha's previous releases -- "Halim"and "Gedida" were more consistent and solid, whereas "Ayeshteni" occasionally wanders off track and gets tangled in repetition and empty ambience. Still, I'd rather listen to Natacha's crystalline and passionate voice bridging the gap between Western and Arabic music than yet another bland top 40 pop tune. A must-buy for Natacha fans and new Arabic music initiates.

Enchanting.......2001-07-07

Atlas delivers a solid effort on her latest, featuring vocals so smooth, soulful, and captivating that they are bound to win over the most reluctant listener. The musical rhythms are bold, colorful, and exotic, melding traditional arabic percusion with modern trip-hop beats. Electronic production elements enhance the music and give the album a contemporary, western feel. A true treasure of our time, Atlas continues to amaze and inspire with every new release. Well-done.

Average customer rating:

Ayeshteni
Natacha Atlas
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000BRI554
Release Date: 2001-04-24

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