Search - Najat Aatabou :: Country Girls & City Women

This album rooted in tradition while pondering the future

mle8@cornell.edu | Ithaca, NY | 09/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While many modern pop releases from the arab world dissappoint those familiar with traditional arabic music, this album retains the driving heartbeat rhythm, call-and-response structure and emotional vocals that make the traditional music so powerful. Najat Aatabu's voice is the real deal: raw and inspiring. She sings, sometimes crtically, about the future of her country and the role of women in it without discarding the traditions that make her music strong."

*The* best recording released in 1997!!

mle8@cornell.edu | 04/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like North-African or middle-eastern crossover "pop" at all, this disk is a must have! Aatabu's voice is entrancing and powerful, and occasionally almost too good. This one of those disks that tends to get one hopelessly transfixed all the way through. I can't say enough about this recording."

Absolutely Powerful Berber music from Morocco.

mle8@cornell.edu | 10/07/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great album my Morocco's Queen of Berber slam. A mix of traditional and electric I like the liner notes very much and found the article by S. Davis to be very enlightening. Great pictures in the booklet. A rarity. Meaningful and strong feminist lyrics against a pulsing grinding rhythm section. Great for parties and reflection."