Donia

1. Don't Judge Me

2. Oh Lady

3. Life

4. People (featuring Natacha Atlas)

5. The Sunshine Of My Life

6. Abandoned

7. Andalucia (featuring Chico Cana)

8. Mother

9. The Wheel Turns

10. Our Life Led Us

11. The Faithful, The Believer

12. Colodia Mix

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
On Donia, Sawt El Atlas deliver 12 odes to love. Many members of the band are of Moroccan origin but grew up in France, giving the group a cross-cultural perspective both musically and lyrically (the lyrics here are in French or Arabic, dependent upon the song). Fronted by vocalists and songwriters Kamel El Habchi and Mounir Mirghani, who are only in their early 20s, the group combines elements of Middle Eastern, reggae, Latin, funk, and dance music into a lively pop blend that is continually upbeat. There are many interesting moments within Donia--Egyptian string orchestra over pulsating bass and beats ("Ne me jugez pas"), the soulful vocals of Natacha Atlas paired with live dumbek and programmed rhythms ("Ness"), and flamenco guitars woven into a pop setting ("Andalucia"). Some may find Sawt El Atlas a little too mainstream in its fusion, but this group performs its peppy world pop with zeal. It may be hard to resist the urge to groove along. --Bryan Reesman

Tracks:

Don't Judge Me
Oh Lady
Life
People (featuring Natacha Atlas)
The Sunshine Of My Life
Abandoned
Andalucia (featuring Chico Cana)
Mother
The Wheel Turns
Our Life Led Us
The Faithful, The Believer
Colodia Mix

Amazon.com

On Donia, Sawt El Atlas deliver 12 odes to love. Many members of the band are of Moroccan origin but grew up in France, giving the group a cross-cultural perspective both musically and lyrically (the lyrics here are in French or Arabic, dependent upon the song). Fronted by vocalists and songwriters Kamel El Habchi and Mounir Mirghani, who are only in their early 20s, the group combines elements of Middle Eastern, reggae, Latin, funk, and dance music into a lively pop blend that is continually upbeat. There are many interesting moments within Donia--Egyptian string orchestra over pulsating bass and beats ("Ne me jugez pas"), the soulful vocals of Natacha Atlas paired with live dumbek and programmed rhythms ("Ness"), and flamenco guitars woven into a pop setting ("Andalucia"). Some may find Sawt El Atlas a little too mainstream in its fusion, but this group performs its peppy world pop with zeal. It may be hard to resist the urge to groove along. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

This rocked!!.......2003-01-19

i am usually a fan of the great cheb mami, but when i saw this at the store, i couldn't resist.i really like "ne me judgez pas," and even if you don't speak arabic or french (i speak both, but all my friends like the album) you will find yourself dancing along within the first 30 seconds of "ne me Judgez pas" or "ness". a must for arab music fans and those who dont even like arab music. its also a great cd to work out to! it keeps you going!!

Sawt El Atlas Live.......2001-07-31

These guys just played at WOMAD in Seattle on July 29, and wow! They were awesome! I didn't stay for the whole set (holding my spot for Peter Gabriel & Afro Celt won out) and I didn't have time to pick up a CD there, so I'm ordering it here. From the little I did hear and from the enthusiastic crowd they drew, I'm really impressed. I'm really looking forward to this CD arriving!

Shake that butt!.......2001-07-27

Donia is upbeat music that will make you want to shake your booty. "Ness," featuring Natacha Atlas, is my favourite track with its dumbek solo at the beginning and Natacha's trademark soulful vox. The music is at times funky, at times classical Egyptian string orchestra, and at all times danceable, with the faster tempo songs being my personal favourites. Languages vary from French to Spanish and Arabic, and even if you don't understand these tongues, you'll find yourself tapping along to the beat.

Great Moroccan World-Dance-Pop.......2001-07-19

Algerian Rai meets Moroccan club pop meets what else? Sawt el Atlas are cool enough that their mix of percussion, beats, and Arabic vocals sounds just right as world music, quick-pulse dance sounds, or whatever. They cut some of "Donia" in Paris, with Sodi, the producer of Les Negresses Vertes, Femi Kuti, and others at the controls. They finished it in Cairo, surely a music freak's mecca--just check out the Egyptian strings, small percussion instruments, and general vibe. Unforgettable. Natacha Atlas drops in for vocals on "Ness" and all of Donia is just spectacularly global. They've toured with Massilia Sound System, Khaled, Cheb Mami, Keziah Jones, Tonton David, and more. So if that's your thing, rock this.

Average customer rating:

Young Arabic Music

Donia
Sawt el Atlas
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004U5AM
Release Date: 2000-06-23

Tracks:

Ne Me Jugez Pas
Ya Mra
Donia [Life]
Ness [People] - Natacha Atlas, Sawt el Atlas
Soleil de Ma Vie
Hagra
Andaluc
Mama [Mother]
Zmane y Dore
Datna
Mouminine
Ne Me Jugez Pas [Arabic Version][Mix]

Customer Reviews:

Young Arabic Music.......2001-06-10

This album by the Duo "Sawt el Atlas" welcomes you with a blend of different sounds like tribal rhythms, tropical beats and oriental vibes that are put together to create an original music made of raï, funk, R&B, reggae and latino sounds.This album Includes the participation of the singer Natacha Atlas. If you love an album with a diversity in music and sensual rhythms, than you will definitely enjoy this CD named "Donia". You can also visit their website at to have a better understanding of what this wonderful duo is about.Take care and hope you enjoy this CD.