Gedida

Gedida

ASIN: B00000I7RP

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The swirl of Egyptian strings, hip-hop beats, love, and politics can make strange bedfellows, but once again Natasha Atlas, chanteuse and belly dancer, makes sense of it all. Singing in several languages (including French on the opener "Mon Amie la Rose") she delivers 11 exotic worldbeat tracks full of exuberance, reflection, and yearning that are at once compassionate and militant, her Arabic roots sharing center stage with her club experiences with the likes of Transglobal Underground. Funky beats, kanoun, oud, string sections, and percussion jostle for attention in the background as Atlas's serpentine vocals entwine the listener in tales of passion, injustice, and the mysteries of life. Recorded both in London and Cairo, Gedida is a truly cosmopolitan melting pot for the '90s, ranging from hip dance-floor grooves to traditional Egyptian orchestral arrangements, and Atlas, equally at home in both, is fast proving herself one of the most intriguing and original artists blending international cultures into a common musical language. --Derek Rath

Tracks:

Mon Amie La Rose
Aqaba
Mistaneek
Bahlam
Ezzay
Bastet
The Righteous Path
Mahlabeya
Bilaadi
Kifaya
One Brief Moment

Amazon.com

The swirl of Egyptian strings, hip-hop beats, love, and politics can make strange bedfellows, but once again Natasha Atlas, chanteuse and belly dancer, makes sense of it all. Singing in several languages (including French on the opener "Mon Amie la Rose") she delivers 11 exotic worldbeat tracks full of exuberance, reflection, and yearning that are at once compassionate and militant, her Arabic roots sharing center stage with her club experiences with the likes of Transglobal Underground. Funky beats, kanoun, oud, string sections, and percussion jostle for attention in the background as Atlas's serpentine vocals entwine the listener in tales of passion, injustice, and the mysteries of life. Recorded both in London and Cairo, Gedida is a truly cosmopolitan melting pot for the '90s, ranging from hip dance-floor grooves to traditional Egyptian orchestral arrangements, and Atlas, equally at home in both, is fast proving herself one of the most intriguing and original artists blending international cultures into a common musical language. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Choreography.......2007-01-27

My dance instructor choreographed "Mahlabeya" for the session I am taking now. I always purchase the music so I can practice at home. I understand why Natacha Atlas is so popular in Lebanon she is really good.

Decent, but overrated by many reviewers.......2006-04-28

This is a decent, not outstanding, CD by the Egyptian singer Natacha Atlas. Many of the other reviewers rave about this CD and give it a 5 star rating. It isn't a bad CD, but it isn't outstanding. I don't understand what the hubbub is about. Perhaps many of the reviewers believe in the adage that the fewer clothes she wears, the better the music? Natacha is beautiful, no doubting that, and this is, as many state, a refreshing change from the homogenized Western Pop and R&B. She does blend traditional and modern sounds into this album, but it is really more modern than traditional, and many of the songs almost have a techno beat. I don't think this CD has a sound that will appeal to a wide audience, and I recommend that you listen to a few of the clips before purchasing. If you are looking for music from the Arab world that offers a broader appeal and a better balance of traditional and modern sounds, try the Lebanese singers Najwa Karam or Nawal al-Zougbhy.

Wonderful!.......2004-01-22

I really think you'll be sorry if you don't get this
CD. It's great and upbeat. I've watched Natacha Atlas' concerts
on Arabic TV Channels before and she is great.

Pleasant Suprise.......2003-09-09

Natacha Atlas has a lovely voice, and this soulful CD has plenty of good belly dance music that is enjoyable to listen to even when you're not dancing!

Gedida Grooves.......2003-08-29

This is arguably the best showcase for the talents of Natacha Atlas, with its combination of Egyptian seductiveness, traditional instrumentation, and modern grooves built around that enchanting voice. Close your eyes and you can almost smell the air and taste the mysterious aura of the Egyptian culture.
The first half of the disc is the best, with Aqaba, Bahlam, Ezzay, and the irresistible Mistaneek shining the brightest. The second half of the disc is much weaker, but still contains interesting tracks such as The Righteous Path. But the power of the first part of the disc makes up for the weakness of the second, and is still worthy of being heard. So do yourself a favor and pick up this disc, especially if you are a fan of world music.

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