Artist: Natacha Atlas
Label: Whirlwind Recordings
Format: 2 x 12″ (180g)
Sleeve: Gatefold
Country: France
Genres: Jazz
Pressing: 1000 Copies
Natacha Atlas – Strange Days – “A darkly dystopian Arabic-infused jazz fantasy”
Over the years, Natacha Atlas has worked with Transglobal Underground, Peter Gabriel, Nitin Sawhney, Nigel Kennedy, Indigo Girls, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Ibrahim Maalouf.
CD: High quality, 6 panel digifile with a velvety soft-touch laminate finish & 12 page booklet with lyrics in both English and Arabic
Vinyl: High quality, 180 gram, 12″ 2x Gatefold LP (4 sides of music – A, B, C, D) – comes with download code containing the digital album in multiple formats
Tracklist
Disc 1
Face A
1. Out Of Time
2. Maktoub
3. Min Baad
Face B
1. All The Madness
2. Sunshine Day
3. It’s A Man’s World
Disc 2
Face A
1. Inherent Rhythm
2. Words of a King – Single Edit
3. Lost Revolutions
Face B
1. Words of a King – Extended Version
2. Moonchild
PERSONNEL
Natacha Atlas – voice (tracks 1-10) backing vocals (tracks 2 & 7), electronics and sound design (track 10)
Samy Bishai – violin (tracks 1-10), viola (tracks 1-3, 6) electric guitar (tracks 5 & 10), backing vocals (tracks 2 & 10), electronics & sound design (tracks 2&10)
Hayden Powell – trumpet (tracks 1, 2, 4 & 8), flugelhorn (tracks 5 & 10)
Robinson Khoury – trombone (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8 & 10)
Alcyona Mick – piano (tracks 1 9)
Andy Hamill – double bass (tracks 1-9)
Asaf Sirkis – drums (tracks 1, 3, 4-6)
Laurie Lowe – drums (tracks 2, 7 & 8)
Guests
Joss Stone – voice, bvs (8)
Tanya Wells – voice (7), bvs (5, 7, 8)
Sofiane Saidi – voice (6), bvs (2 & 6)
Idris Rahman – tenor sax (2, 5 & 8), clarinet & bass clarinet (10), flute (5 & 10)
Paulo Vinicius – acoustic guitar (5)
Oli Savill – percussion (5)
Vasilis Sarikis – percussion (9),
Oli Langford – violin (2, 3, 5, 8-10)
Vincent Greene – viola (2, 3, 5, 8-10)
Ivan Hussey – cello (2, 3, 5, 8-10),
Emma Smith, Jennymay Logan, Stephen Hussey, Gillon Cameron, Sally
Jackson – violin (9)
Mandy Drummond – viola (9)
Chris Worsey – cello (9)
ALBUM CREDITS
Recorded/Engineered at Eastcote Studios, London by George Murphy
Stoneroom Studios, Gascony France by Samy Bishai
Studio Kuroneko, Paris by Ludovic Joyeux
ChederRecords Studio, Uberlandia, Brazil by Rodrigo Nepomuceno
Mixed by Samy Bishai & Ludovic Joyeux at Studio Kuroneko
Mastered by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge
Produced by Samy Bishai
Executive Producer Michael Janisch
Original design – Atlas/Bishai & Nabil Bishai
Graphic Design – Monika S Jakubowska
Photography – Samir Bahrir
credits
releases September 9, 2019
ABOUT THE ALBUM
There’s something extraordinary happening when musical cultures and genres merge to create new atmospheres, described as “thesis + antithesis = synthesis” by the fascinating Anglo-Egyptian partnership of vocalist Natacha Atlas and violinist, composer/arranger and producer Samy Bishai. Atlas’s discography speaks of a solo artist who continually explores and develops her route through music, also collaborating with names including Jean-Michel Jarre and Peter Gabriel; and her arrival at large-scale project and album Strange Days marks a significant, visionary shift.
“Some years ago”, recalls Atlas, “Samy’s considerable skills were brought to my attention, leading us to work closely together. As my musical director and compositional partner, his strong jazz and classically-trained background have transformed my electro-acoustic Arabic sound in a way I couldn’t imagine.” The connection is natural – each born to an Egyptian father and a British mother – though their respective upbringing gave them different experiences of Eastern and Western cultures. But both felt drawn to the idea of combining Arabic scales and textures with the changes and harmonic language of jazz. “Arabic music has parallels with Indian and Persian classical music, for example” explains Bishai. “But, different as it all is, there are astonishingly similar axiomatic points, notably improvisation; and though characteristics such as quarter tones aren’t part of Western harmony, the flexibility of jazz enables amazing integration.”
A broad personnel is wholly attuned to their concept – at its core, pianist Alcyona Mick, bassist Andy Hamill, drummers Laurie Lowe and Asaf Sirkis, trumpeter Hayden Powell and trombonist Robinson Khoury. Alongside the strings and Oli Savill’s percussion that are central to this unique, balanced fusion of jazz and Arabic music come guest appearances from reedsman Idris Rahman, guitarist Paulo Vinícius and vocalists Joss Stone, Tanya Wells and Sofiane Saidi.
Metaphorical, dystopian themes abound as the swirling jazz mystery of ‘Out of Time’ unveils Atlas’s vocal fluency and inflection, while spirited ‘Maktoub’ (‘that which is written’) bounces with infectious hip-hop and Tsifteteli rhythms, portamento strings and choral unison. Lush, romantic ‘Min Baad’ (‘from this moment on’) has aching sorrow at its heart, while the undulating bass and horn riffs of ‘All the Madness’ lay a foundation for glittering piano improv and Atlas’s floating lines.
In ‘Sunshine Day’, dreamy Brazilian rhythm guitar and strings conjur pastel-tinted ‘60s movie soundtrack, Gismonti, Jobim… all reflecting Atlas’s notion “the sun washes the sins of humanity away”. Darkly enigmatic ‘Lost Revolutions’ nods to seminal Arabic composer Zad Moltaka before serenely-ornamented ‘Inherent Rhythm’ leads to soulful, post-hip-hop sashay ‘Words of a King’ (referencing Martin Luther King and Jacques Fresco), featuring a gliding vocal duo with Joss Stone. James Brown classic ‘It’s a Man’s World’ is unexpectedly interpreted in smoky, sensual film noir (hear those strings); and impressionistic reverie ‘Moonchild’ pays homage to incisive poet Kate Tempest.
“Strange Days is a culmination of what I want to express through music – my hybridity and duality between the Middle East and Europe, in all its facets”, affirms Atlas. “We are blessed with these musicians, combining everything we love about jazz and Arabic music.”
Whirlwind Recordings is a musician-owned and operated, London-based indie that has released an eclectic catalogue of over 110 albums since its inception in 2010. The label provides a platform for showcasing adventurous & visceral music that spans genres, is rooted in originality and has a key emphasis on the improvised. The artists on the label range from established masters to guiding lights of their generation to undiscovered stars in the making.
“Whirlwind Recordings gives modern jazz a fresh, new face. The label’s inspired roster of talent bridges genres, instruments and generations—a testament to founder Michael Janisch’s insight into not only where jazz has been, but where it’s headed.” Downbeat Magazine
“Whirlwind Recordings is the new label of the moment, releasing a diverse cross section of excellent music.” BBC Radio 2
“Several of the most enthralling, powerful and entertaining jazz albums of recent years appeared on Whirlwind Recordings.” Jazzthetik
“London’s label of the moment.” All About Jazz
“Janisch’s Whirlwind label personifies the dictum “if you want something done right, do it yourself,” taking care of business and making available some super-fine singular sounds for global consumption.” The New York City Jazz Record
“Whirlwind are quickly making a name for themselves in uncovering some of the hippest new talent.” UK Vibe
“American bassist Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind label is fast becoming a major player.” The Guardian
“One of the major British record labels.” Jazz Thing and Blue Rhythm
“Whirlwind has established itself, in a remarkably short time, as a natural home for music of power and quality.” London Jazz News
“One of Europe’s busiest and most creative independent labels.” The Irish Times
Whirlwind was founded by electric & double bassist, composer, producer and solo artist Michael Janisch
Buy Strange Days here:
Bandcamp: https://natachaatlas1.bandcamp.com
Diggers Factory: https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/226984/natacha-atlas-strange-days-double-gatefold
I am looking forward to working with Natacha Atlas in coming months, look out for her tour dates.
