Natacha Atlas, Gedida (Beggars Banquet)
Those who were drawn to Siouxsie Sioux's more exotic songs, or Madonna's recent faux-Middle-Eastern mysticism should check Gedida out for the real deal. Actually, Natacha Atlas has much in common with Madonna in that she is an elusive amalgamation of styles and cultures. Atlas just happens to be about ten times more interesting, having been born in the Arabic quarter of Brussels to a Sephardic Jewish/Muslim/Christian family with roots in Morocco and Egypt, and educated in England. After paying her dues singing and belly dancing in Arabic and Turkish nightclubs in Brussels, Atlas got her break collaborating with Jah Wobble and Apache Indian in the early 90's. She has been a key member of Transglobal Underground, contributed to the soundtrack of John Carpenter's Stargate and toured with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. While she sings mainly in Arabic, sometimes French, her voice is simply another instrument to absorb as part of the music. Gedida does not improve upon the Arabic/Asian fusion with dance rhythms that were perfected on her first two solo albums. But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the majestic moments of strings straight from a Bollywood soundtrack. Previously downbeat Dead Can Dance arrangements are lightened up and more club friendly on this album. And perhaps inspired by Talvin Singh's successful Anokha Asian Underground, she incorporates some tabla-heavy drum 'n' bass, and even some rap. The album closes with "One Brief Moment," where she sounds just like Bjork, woo hoo! Everyone who is dying for the next Bjork joint put their hands in the air! For now, we can be placated by yet another indispensable undulating juggernaut from our favorite, er, second-favorite multiculti diva.
