Halim

Artist: Natacha Atlas
Label: Beggars UK - Ada
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Original recording reissued
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 607618501129
EAN: 0607618501129
ASIN: B00004UAVW

Release Date: 2000-07-18

Related Categories:

Ambient

| Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General

| Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General

| International | Styles | Music

Arabic

| Middle East | International | Styles | Music

General

| Pop | Styles | Music

World Dance

| Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General

| Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Ambient

| Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General

| International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

World Dance

| New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Listmania:

Strick9/electro/eastern/fusion (dub) best of 4 no order
Bellydance Performance and Song: not instruction
a random taste of my music collection part 5
SIRENS OF WORLD MUSIC
Meet Natacha Atlas
Best Arabic language albums
Modern Sharki Supplies
Essential Arabic CD's
the best albums of modern times - little bit of everything
World Music for Amateurs

Tracks:

Marifnaash
Moustahil
Amulet
Leyli
Kidda
Sweeter Than Any Sweets
Ya Weledi
Enogoom Wil, Amar
Andeel
Gafsa
Y Albi Ehda
Agib

Similar Items:

Gedida
Ayeshteni
Diaspora
Best of Natacha Atlas
The Remix Collection

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for 1001 Nights.......2007-02-16

I first heard Natacha Atlas' amazing "Kidda" on Putumayo's "Arabic Groove" compilation and felt inspired to get the whole "Halim" album.I wasn't disappointed.As a whole,"Halim" shows that Natacha Atlas is the Middle East's Madonna,blending Arabic flavors with dance pop.

The opening,"Marifnaash" is electrifying.It evokes a vast desert,and Justin Adams is stunning on electric guitar."Moustahil" is an enchanting,sensuous love song."Amulet" is deeply rhythmic,and Atlas collaborates powerfully with the Morroccan boy band Sawt el Atlas."Kidda",the evocative,wailing song of unrequited love,is the highlight of "Halim." The electric guitar riffs that open "Ya Weledi" sound like they're from a James Bond soundtrack.The song has wonderful instrumentation-Atlas gives its prominence,making her voice merely the accompaniment."Enogoom Wil Amar" is unearthly,filled with mystery like the ruins at Petra in its opening-then it becomes intense,rhythmic music perfect for a sweaty dancefloor.

"Halim" is a great introduction to Middle Eastern music.If you enjoy Arabic music,or want to listen to something different,"Halim" is perfect!

Halim is Sweeter than Any Sweets!.......2006-12-26

I was first introduced to Natacha Atlas over the summer of 2006 through Amazon's free music download section, in which I downloaded "Mish Fadilak" from her fourth album, Ayeshteni (which I highly recommend). Since then I have purchased seven of her albums in addition to most of the TransGlobal Underground and Jah Wobble songs that showcase her incredible voice. The first album I bought was Halim, which is Natacha's best in my opinion. Diaspora (first album) and Gedida (third album) are not far behind, but Halim stands out as having the most incredible and creative arrangement of songs. Diaspora is more ambient dub, while Gedida is largely influenced by Arabic pop and R&B. Sung entirely in Arabic, Halim is a perfect balance of ambience/electronic, R&B, Arabic pop, and traditional Middle Eastern medleys. And the album artwork is beautiful in itself, showcasing Egyptian wall paintings, in which, according to the liner notes, Natacha Atlas had a hand.

Marifnaash, Moustahil, Amulet, and Kidda are great pop songs, all of which feature shuffling dancebeats along with indigenous instruments such as oud and dharabuka. In Amulet, which you can view on YouTube, Natacha Atlas is backed by energetic vocals from Sawt el Atlas. Belly dancers will delight in Leyli, Ya Weledi, and Enogoom Wil Amar (an outstanding song with lush Middle Eastern arrangements). Ya Weledi has a marching rythm with beautiful Middle Eastern combinations, and the more classical Ya Albi Ehda is reminiscent of the legendary Fairuz. The R&B-influenced arrangements include Sweeter than Any Sweets and Agib, in which Atlas' snake-charmed voice arrests the senses. The lyrics of Andeel speak for the song itself: "As intoxicating as full bodied wine/ As essential as the blood that runs through my veins..." Andeel, with its ambient Middle Eastern allure, is indeed intoxicating and Natacha's well-conditioned voice "stirs the patina of emotions/ That lie in another world..." Andeel is truly my favorite on the album. Gafsa is the mellowest song, in which Natacha's voice is beautiful and longing. All of the songs are delightfully poetic. Here is a sample of Enogoom Wil Amar taken from the liner notes, which include lyrical snippets in English from nine of the songs:

I miss you
My love burns to see you again
I keep company with the stars
And the moon and the bitter sweet night
And there is a magic to my life
Made by you

Halim is an overall amazing album that deserves widespread recognition. I highly recommend this album to anyone who loves Arabic pop, traditional Middle Eastern, and electronic music.

Worth it for "Gafsa" alone.......2006-01-30

I first came upon this album through the film "3-Iron" by the Korean director Kim Ki-duk. The song "Gafsa" plays a prominent role in that film.

I like both Middle Eastern vocals and electronic dance music--I'm just not sure how much I like the two TOGETHER. Atlas has a very sensual voice and knows how to use it. Most of the tracks on this album are decent, if not especially memorable.

"Gafsa," however, is in my mind a strong contender to be one of the most beautiful songs ever. A heartrending melody, exquisitely sung, with an acoustic arrangement that's nothing short of perfection. I could listen to this song forever and never get tired of it.

Doesn't Blow My Skirt Up.......2005-08-21

I study Middle Eastern dance and Natacha Atlas came highly recommended within my dancing circles. While she is, unarguably, a fine and passioante vocalist this album does not appear to be her best work. I plan to give some others a listen, but would recommend anyone into the Egyptian music scene to start their collection elsewhere.

Natacha's BEST album ever!!!!!.......2004-10-23

For all Natacha Atlas fans, this is the cd to get. I listen to it wherever i go, X-country meets to hour-long plane trips. Her style is remarkable in this album. A must-have for a Natacha Atlas Collection!

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Down to the Shore (Original Songs of the Maine...) ~ Castlebay

The Best of Christian Death ~ Christian Death

Wintergreen

Music and Lyrics

Les Retrouvailles

Hold Me Now ~ Thompson Twins

The Fabulous Guitar of Al Allen ~ Al Allen

Electric Chair Music + Voices

Se Buscan Fulmontis: Enemigos ~ Original Soundtrack

Freestyle in the Mix, Vol. 1 ~ Various Artists