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Natacha Atlas - The Dangerous Egyptian
Natacha Atlas is of Egyptian ancestry. Some generations ago, her family moved through Palestine from Meknes in Morocco. She was born in an Arabic quarter of Brussels, and spent some time in the UK, but has lived for a couple of years in the intoxicating atmosphere of Cairo, which has become her spiritual home. Natacha's musical expression stems from this cultural treasure trove, and the beauty of her voice from its waves of passion and feeling. Lisa Mackey spoke to Natacha Atlas for DIASPORA. Usually her songs follow traditional Arabic themes of (oft-thwarted) love and devotion. "Sometimes there is something else I want to say…but one has to be careful." Natacha is also in tune with the modern Western music scene, having sung and danced with Transglobal Underground and won the French Victoire de la Musique award for best female artist (overall, not confined to the world music category). Yet some mistrust her ease in several worlds. The French manager of another artist complained on her radio show that Natacha should not have won as only one song was in French. In Egypt, false rumours circulate that she is Jewish - which has not stopped her spending as much time as possible there. Natacha loves Arabic music, favouring traditional greats like Abdul Halim Hafez over more transitory modern stars. "Music is getting very bland everywhere…in five years noone will remember Amr Diab or (sic) today's pop stars." But she loves western freedom too. "Musicians are considered a bit naughty in the Middle East …artists in general are not so well respected, unless maybe they become rich. It's the problem of freedom of expression." Interviewing Natacha I am struck by her openness and honesty. Listing her favourite living Arabic singers, she emphasises their good character as well as their talent. She speaks frankly of the joy and pain of cross-cultural personal and musical journeys. There is a certain purity in her refined, slightly mysterious voice which is mirrored in the crystalline flow of her music - the way Natacha sings, you know she means it. ------ Natacha's
latest release "Something Dangerous" is an absolute
cracker and fulfils the promise only glimpsed at by her previous
work. Stay tuned for a full review, or just go out and buy it.
It is worth it for the opening track alone. CV July 2003
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