Natacha Atlas - Strange Days (2019)

Welcome to the sonic tapestry of “Strange Days“ by the extraordinary Natacha Atlas, where East meets West, and jazz intertwines with Arabic melodies in a mesmerizing dance. As the brainchild of the Anglo-Egyptian collaboration between vocalist Natacha Atlas and violinist, composer, and producer Samy Bishai, this album is a sonic odyssey that defies categorization. Picture a jazz club in an alternate universe where Natacha’s hypnotic vocals blend seamlessly with Samy’s evocative strings, creating an atmosphere that is both mysterious and entrancing. The album features a stellar cast, including trumpeter Hayden Powell, trombonist Robinson Khoury, pianist Alcyona Mick, bassist Andy Hamill, and drummers Laurie Lowe and Asaf Sirkis, forming the core of this musical fusion. Special guests like Joss Stone, Tanya Wells, and Sofiane Saidi add their unique voices to this rich tapestry. Each track unfolds a different chapter of this musical journey. From the swirling jazz enigma of “