Something Dangerous - Natacha Atlas

...probably on here... Listening to Something Dangerous, I get the feeling that it is trying to jam as many different styles as it can onto one CD, which is a shame, because all the tracks are really very good, but they don't always go together very well. However, if any album were to earn the title of 'world music', this would be it.

There is no way you're going to like every song on this album unless you have truly wide tastes and you ...
...the instrumentalists in particular is something to appreciate. You get 14 songs on the album, which is more than you get on most, and 72 minutes of quality music is giving you your money's worth.

The album begins slowly with the haunting, acoustic "Adam's Lullaby", a favourite of mine, although it is not a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the album. "Eye of the duck", with its dance beats and rap, follows ... more

Natacha Atlas' roots are in middle eastern pop. She has a haunting, rich voice that she really can use to great effect, and she does so on this album. Yes, there's arabic pop, there's also a lot of hindi, a bit of reggae, rap, R&B - you name it, it's probably on here... Listening to Something Dangerous, I get the feeling that it is trying to jam as many different styles as it can onto one CD, which is a shame, because all the tracks are really very good, but they don't always go together very well. However, if any album were to earn the title of 'world music', this would be it.

There is no way you're going to like every song on this album unless you have truly wide tastes and you don't mind them being juxtaposed one song after another. I personally find the listening effect very jarring - as an album it was a disappointing first listen, but it definitely grows on you, I now really appreciate the brilliant songs individually. Playing the CD in random order can improve it!

The other musicians on the album are very strong also, and the collaborative nature of this album does come off very well - the songs are all well produced and the quality of the instrumentalists in particular is something to appreciate. You get 14 songs on the album, which is more than you get on most, and 72 minutes of quality music is giving you your money's worth.

The album begins slowly with the haunting, acoustic "Adam's Lullaby", a favourite of mine, although it is not a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the album. "Eye of the duck", with its dance beats and rap, follows straight after it, possibly the widest jump in musical style between tracks, and very jarring, even when you've heard the album several times, so be warned. Everyone will have their own favourites, 'Daymalhum', 'When I Close My Eyes' and the French 'Le Printemps' being mine, but no two people will have the same opinion on this album. The best time to listen to it is late on friday or saturday night after a night in, with the lights out and the candles lit and a large glass of wine in your hand!

In conclusion, if you appreciate quality performance, a haunting voice and an eclectic mix of musical styles, and can tolerate the bizarre mix of tracks, definitely give this a go. If you prefer more straight down the road middle-eastern pop, then give this one a miss and buy Ayeshteni by the same artist. She does have an amazing voice, so she's well worth checking out. 

...less