Strange Days

Albumbeschreibung

Natacha Atlas brings back her multi-talented team which she surrounded herself with in 2015 for her Myriad Road album with violinist and composer Samy Bishai, half-English and half-Egyptian, just like her. Their shared dual identity drives the way forward on a journey across elegant jazz arrangements where the quarter tones of Oriental music can express a whole new kind of sound. The surging vigour of Bishai’s violin and Natacha Atlas’ precise and enchanting modulating singing are both supported by a solid base of inspired international musicians. The faithful pianist Alcyona Mick (London Jazz Orchestra), the Norwegian trumpetist Hayden Powell, the Lyon trombonist Robinson Khoury, the bassist Andy Hamill (4hero, Laura Mvula, Annie Lennox…), the Midlands drummer Laurie Lowe, who alternates with the Israeli Asaf Sirkis and the Portuguese percussionist Oli Savill, each bring their own personal touch. 

Some featured artists enrich this tapestry even more. The Brazilian guitarist Paulo Vinìcius reinforces the languid bossa-nova of Sunny Day, the Algerian raï player Sofiane Saidi highlights the message behind Lost Revolutions, the Anglo-Swiss Tanya Wells, expert in ghazal singing, brings the sounds of India or Iran to the album on Inherent Rhythm, and soul sister Joss Stone creates a beautiful vocal contrast in the smoky atmosphere of Words of a King. But the best track is without a doubt saved for the end, the surprising cover of the James Brown classic It’s a Man’s World, which precedes the delicately stripped back Moonchild. A pioneer of the ethno-electro genre since her beginnings at the heart of Transglobal Underground, Natacha Atlas has been a successful francophone singer since her 1999 cover of  François Hardy’s Mon amie la rose and an important performer of Nick Drake in 2010; she does not stop reinventing herself by promoting a strong cross-cultural identity which allows her to command eclecticism and excellence. © Benjamin MiNiMuM/Qobuz