Nomad: Best of Amina

Amazon.com
Tunisia and techno don't usually go together. But Carthage-born singer Amina has built a thriving, hip-gyrating career blending North African belly-dancing beats with modern dance-floor electronics. A huge hit in Europe, her surprisingly organic sound has received scant exposure in the U.S. This best-of disc should change all that by stacking up her best-known songs in somewhat chronological order, dipping as far back as her Eurovision contest winner, the soulful ballad "Le Dernier Qui A Parle," and winding up with the beat-addled scorcher "Habibi 2." Purists who prefer their Tunisian rhythms without sugar or studio polish will lap up disc-opener "Ya Baba," one of two previously unreleased selections that proves traditional-sounding material can rock as hard as the club cuts. No one-groove wonder, the French-based diva adds Senegalese touches to 1992's Wasis Diop-produced "Wadileh," while a startling cover of the Billie Holiday classic "My Man" luxuriates in Mediterranean exotica sure to break young men's concentration on at least three continents. Already a successful movie actress, Amina proves she's more than capable of affecting a cinematic sweep with her voice alone. --Bob Tarte

Nomad: Best of Amina,Amina,Ark 21,Arabic,Dance-Pop,Int'l & World Music,International,Pop,Traditional Middle Eastern Folk,Tunisia,World Music,Worldbeat

Average customer rating:

Harmonious melding of cultures

I love this CD!

Exotic and mesmerizing!

Gorgeous voice but dated instrumentation.

A voice to carry

Nomad: Best of Amina
Amina
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music
Arabic | Middle East | International | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00005LZS1
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Ya Baba
Le Dernier Qui A Parle
Atame
Allah Ya Moulenah
C'est Gai
Waadileh
Digge (Le Gong A Sonne)
Ederlezi
Dis-Moi Pourqoi
Yanari
Le Cercle Rouge
My Man
Lirrili
La Mauvaise Graine
Habibi

Amazon.com

Tunisia and techno don't usually go together. But Carthage-born singer Amina has built a thriving, hip-gyrating career blending North African belly-dancing beats with modern dance-floor electronics. A huge hit in Europe, her surprisingly organic sound has received scant exposure in the U.S. This best-of disc should change all that by stacking up her best-known songs in somewhat chronological order, dipping as far back as her Eurovision contest winner, the soulful ballad "Le Dernier Qui A Parle," and winding up with the beat-addled scorcher "Habibi 2." Purists who prefer their Tunisian rhythms without sugar or studio polish will lap up disc-opener "Ya Baba," one of two previously unreleased selections that proves traditional-sounding material can rock as hard as the club cuts. No one-groove wonder, the French-based diva adds Senegalese touches to 1992's Wasis Diop-produced "Wadileh," while a startling cover of the Billie Holiday classic "My Man" luxuriates in Mediterranean exotica sure to break young men's concentration on at least three continents. Already a successful movie actress, Amina proves she's more than capable of affecting a cinematic sweep with her voice alone. --Bob Tarte

Customer Reviews:

Harmonious melding of cultures.......2005-02-08

I first heard Amina when I picked up Cercle Rouge on a whim. It seemed like something I'd like, so I took a gamble. The opening title was an instant favorite. I quickly did research to find out more about the artist and her work and acquired her other CDs.

Nomad is an appropriate title for this collection. It's a musical journey using Amina's Tunisian heritage base and blending it with Sub-Saharan African, American Jazz, French and other styles and influences. Perhaps my favorite is her version of "Ederlezi", a Goran Bregovic classic (It was originally an ethnic rock song from his Sarajevo based band Bijelo Dugme called "Djurdjev Dan", then appeared on the soundtrack of the Emir Kusturica film "Time of the Gypsies" under the title it bears on this album). I noticed that a previous reviewer called the song "Le Dernier Qui A Parle" outdated but I disagree. This song is mostly stripped down and showcases Amina's vocal prowse. It's one that I've listened to over and over. "Allah Ya Houlenah" is a catchy tune that sets my feet to tapping. So why not 5 stars? Well, I'm a bit stingy and reluctant to give anything 5 stars in case something better comes along, but there are a few songs that don't really stand out for me. "C'est Gay" is danceable, but the tune doesn't really pop out at me. As far as dance floor music goes it's not bad, but I generally find that techno beats drain the soul from any song.

Overall, the compilation has a good balance of the danceable the soulful served with a healthy dose of strong vocals and exotic texturing.

I love this CD!.......2003-12-10

I ordered Amina's cd from Amazon and I enjoy most of the sings on the cds. I like the ones with the African singers in them such as Digge with a Senegalese artist. My favorite song is Allah Ya Moulenah. That songs hypes me up and makes me want to dance! I like the moroccan guys who did the back up singing in that song.

Exotic and mesmerizing!.......2003-09-10

Amina is one of Northern Africa's most precious contribution to the music world!

Amina has a soul and mesmerizing voice that takes the listener to another world, time, and place! Spiritual yet secular, foreign yet familiar, this CD aims to please!

This CD (which conains the Best songs of Amina, actually the most popular songs) is a wonderful purchase....listen to the tracks and decide which you like and don't like.....that way you can purchase individual CD's without wasting money!

Highly recommended!

Gorgeous voice but dated instrumentation........2003-02-11

I agree with all the reviewers: Amina has a gorgeous voice but it is not showcased to the best of her abilities.
My favorite song is : La Mauvaise Graine, it's a very catchy tune.Some songs have Arabic influences and some others African influences.I didn't like the African influenced songs much and I was disappointed since I bought the c.d thinking it had Arabic Grooves.Some of the songs sound very dated such as Celui qui a parle qui a raison.It's a very old song from the 80s and the only thing new about it at the ti me was that someone with North African origins was representing France at the Eurovision.Otherwise this is a rather slow and boring song.For excellent Global Groove songs I recommend Natacha Atlas and Transglobal Underground.

A voice to carry.......2002-11-07

I do not always understand the words of Amina's songs, not even the French ones, but her voice carries so much emotion that the words and even the instruments can seem superflous. Her voice is smooth and deep, and I hear more to her singing each time I listen to the CD. In fact, one has to listen to this CD over and over to hear the full effect of her singing.

Le Dernier Qui Parle won the Euro Vision award in 1991 and is a French pop hit that is very Tunisian in its lyrics.

Digge (Le Gong A Sonne) is my personal favorite song, and is a duet with Senegalese singer Wasis Diop. It's about a Senegalese boxer with Senegalese rythyms and very fun and funky. It's happy and sunny, and I love the way Diop sings this one part, dadadadadada Daaaaaaah de o! It's great.