Halim

Natacha Atlas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mantra
• ASIN: B00004UAVW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,893 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #22 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > World Dance

Track Listings

1. Marifnaash

2. Moustahil

3. Amulet

4. Leyli

5. Kidda

6. Sweeter Than Any Sweets

7. Ya Weledi

8. Enogoom Wil Amar

9. Andeel

10. Gafsa

11. Ya Albi Ehda

12. Agib

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exotic, October 2, 2001

By 

Simon Warren (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halim (Audio CD)

Simply, I would recommend everyone to buy this album. Of course I know that my musical taste isn't identical to everyone else's, but since Natacha Atlas probably is the most addictive music I've ever come across, it is saying a lot as there actually is lots of music out there.

OK, this music sounds quite different at first listen unless you're not already into ethnic music, but don't worry; it is accessible. 'Halim' is a most rare musical masterpiece. The blend is too perfect: Natacha Atlas' voice, so delightful and sexy, and the beautiful Arabic language(yes, it is very beautiful when sung by Natacha Atlas). The exotic rhythms, and sometimes the good techno feel (however this album isn't very technoish). High-class arrangements, without any flaws as far as I can hear.

After having bought `Diaspora' and `Gedida' I didn't expect `Halim' to be as good as my first two superb Atlas purchases, but I was very impressed by how strong and mature the songs on this album are. The opening tune `Marifnaash' is really full of go and always takes me into ecstasy (like all of the tunes), `Ya Weledi' and `Andeel' are other stand-outs. Also, I appreciate very much the tracks on which the melodies get cheesy (for example 'Amulet', 'Moustahil'), because the `cheese' works excellent with Natachas voice. Each one of the tunes here has its own charm.

`Gedida' is my favourite Natacha Atlas album, but `Halim' comes very close and belongs to the essential cds of my record collection that I have to listen to once (at least) a day. Buy it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Halim- may Natacha sing for 1000 years!, November 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Halim (Audio CD)

2) "Halim" (1997)-Natacha Atlas. There is no excuse for not buying this CD-it's crucial to any world music collection! Less dub stuff than her first CD more singable tunes and a more polished CD. Nothing short of brilliant. She can cover everything from classical Arabic singing to modern dance/dub tunes-her range is phenomenal. Too bad she hid in the shadow of TransGlobal Underground and Jah Wobble for so long. If you like this, you should try her first CD and, while you're at it-check out TransGlobal Underground as they aren't slouches either. Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke/Victorious City) co-produced a few tracks, as did some of her cronies at TransGlobal Underground. The cronies are Hamid Mantu, Neil Sparkes, Alex Kasiek and Count Dubulah. Of interest, John Reynolds and Justin Adams also produce a couple of songs for Natacha. They are the same chaps who helped produced Abdel Ali Slimani's "Mraya". Also, Adams and Reynolds were part of Jah Wobble's- "Invaders of the Heart" (1991). The first track, "Marifnaash" has a dash of Middle Eastern flavour to an otherwise 'pop hit' with strings, accordion and a familiar Wobble bass line along with the searing voice of Natacha. The next cut, "Moustahil" starts with snake-charmer sound on clarinet with Hammond organ backing and gradually builds into something that the TransGlobal guys hijack. Natasha's 'youyous' signal the segue into her next megahit and dance hall favourite-"Amulet". "Amulet" is the cut that most likely will be aired on FM stations. This track enjoyed amazing success here in the Middle East. Moreover, this CD continually sells out over here in UAE. Back to more traditional stuff with "Leyli". This is one of my favourites and is done in dub style-"Kidda". I think it should have been called-"Leish, Habibi, Leish". Good darbuka beats, some ney flute, funky bass line and guitar and violin along with Natacha pouring her heart out in the lyrics-"Why, my love, why? " The gong brings closure to this lovely hit. Back to the Maghreb on track 6, "Sweeter than Any Sweets" and you could easily think imagine that you are in Morocco with the drummers of Jajouka for this beginning. Initially, Robbie & Sly dub sounds take over! Then it's Count Dubulah on bass, Cairo stings and oud that follow the melody line as well as Natacha's powerful voice. Don't be fooled by the Sergio Leone beginning to this next one as it is not music for spaghetti westerns. Strangely enough, "Ya Weledi" has a Cheb Hasni feel to it especially the keyboard work and solo part-way through the track. On tracks 8 and 9, I was wondering why this tune was vaguely familiar-it has Jaz Coleman's signature all over it. Check out the "Victorious City" that he co-produced with Anne Dudley and Killing Joke's "Brighter than a 100 Suns". These two songs are quieter than the earlier stuff and Coleman lets Natacha's voice be the commanding instrument. Track 10, "Gafsa" is a powerful, acoustic piece with Natasha's voice, a Spanish guitar, cello and strings. On "Ya Albi Ehda" we go back to classical music style and back to the studio in Egypt. Essam Rashad and his orchestra accompany Atlas on this offering.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius, February 16, 2001

By 

Alex Kaydanov (Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halim (Audio CD)

The talent of this woman is undescribable. In some of her songs the music seems almost touchable. Its as if she took the whole universe and weaved it into a song. When I listen to her melodies I can see the stars, the galaxies, I can see love. This is the kind of art that used to be in the world, beautiful, powerful, honest, not on a quest for money but on a journey through creativity. This music is totally alive and I think it gives and changes the world more than any amount of money ever could.