Track Listing

1. Kilyoum
2. Denia Wezmen
3. Ilham
4. Mesk Elil
5. Miwana
6. Dardjedi
7. Hagda
8. Tell Me Why
9. Khalouni
10. Malou
11. Mahli (remix)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24972 in Music
• Released on: 2005-10-31
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Independent review
Her 2003 album Deb established the Algerian expatriate Souad Massi as probably the most widely acclaimed female singer from the Arabic diaspora: quite a feat for an artist with an unfashionably non-fundamental, Western approach to her Muslim heritage. She left Algeria for France six years ago, and Mesk Elilreflects her growing homesickness. The title track, whose light flamenco guitar, embellished with oud flourishes and a sympathetic string arrangement, lends it the tone of a North African equivalent of the Latin American Tropicalismo style, refers to the memory-rush of her childhood triggered by the smell of honeysuckle. In "Kilyoum", an expat son assures his mother that everything's fine; "Miwawa" has Daby Toure joining Massi in affirming fidelity to their African roots. Massi's voice is perfect for this plaintive longing, as it is for fado-style laments such as "Malou" ("Why Is My Heart Sad") and "Dardjedi" ("Grandfather's House"). The settings involve smooth blends of oud, strings and woodwind anchored by rattling darabuka drums and loping basslines, sculpted into North African cha-chas like "Denia Wezmen" and Tinariwen-style Tuareg grooves like "Ilham". Enchanting.

Guardian Review
Souad Massi left Algeria for France to become a major celebrity with her unlikely fusion of north African styles and sad, gentle western folk ballads. Now she is moving on. The overall mood is still quietly tragic, and enthusiasts of her gently powerful singing and thoughtful songs will be delighted by Hagda Wala Akter (There's Worse) which deals with the depressing life of a friend back in Algiers, or a personal lament like Khalouni. But like some female Algerian answer to Morrissey, she is clever enough to match bleak lyrics with subtle and increasingly varied musical settings. So on the exquisite Malou, she brings in flamenco influences and on Ilham she provides a vocal reminder of her Berber roots.

Souad Massi serves up a brilliant blend
Captivating and intricate music. Inspired melodies that have a timeless sound and stir the soul. My friends & family were soon tapping their feet to this splendidly refreshing blend of Arabic and Spanish "ritmos", and asking "Wow, who´s this?".