Search - Souad Massi :: Mesk Elil

One of the most beautiful contemporary North African singers

D. Pawl | Seattle | 08/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If this is your introduction to Souad Massi, this is definitely a strong example of her beautiful and haunting body of work. "Mesk Elil" is album #3 for this Algerian-born, Parisian based alto. Souad combines the haunting Arabic-inspired percussive rhythms with inspirations spanning everything from bossa nova to ballad, flamenco to trip hop.



The strength of "Mesk Elil" is in Souad's strong delivery of the songs. Also, the tone of this album and its pieces are delivered in an introspective and very poetical way. After you are done listening to this album, I suggest you check out "Deb," her 2nd (and in my opinion) strongest album. You will fall in love with her (you'll have no choice!!)."

She does it again.

Matthew R. Williams | 06/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ilham is a really fun tune. Dar Dgedi is a really sad and touching song even though I can't understand the lyrics! I can't remember which tracks are my favorite right off hand. While I don't think this song has as many catchy tunes, the production overall is better than her previous two albums. Like her first two, it gets heavy rotation in my home and car stereos. It's a must have album"

Algeria, Algeria

Marius Cipolla | 01/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The full spectrum of Souad Massi's talent is not immediately apparent from a first or second listening to this, her third and most musically evolved album. It takes time for some listeners to understand what the fuss is about. Looking up videos of Souad singing "Raoui" and other success on YouTube is an excellent way of getting more in touch with this wonderfully innocent artist, capable of mesmerising a huge audience, alone with her guitar on an empty stage.



Her training lay in Algerian folk music and she can sound awkward and flat when singing Western melodies, a feature which has its own charm. In this album she adds voices, instruments, more sophisticated arrangements, but the overall result is still authentically North African.



Like other Algerian artists, she is aiming at a place which may not exist, where commercial success with Western buyers coexists with Maghreb roots.



Her own melodies are repetitive, catchy, hypnotic, lilting. The voice is deep, pure and naked. Algeria has produced some of the most exciting young performers of the last decade, many of whom (like Souad herself) have had to leave their homeland to escape assassination by offended fundamentalists. This tragic element is evident in the melancholy that runs through the music of Souad Massi, Rachid Taha, Abdelli and so many other Algerian expatriates (even Cheb Mami). Her fascinating chops all spiral downwards.



If this sounds like something that belongs in your collection, don't hesitate to buy this album -- despite some shortcomings, it is overwhelmingly beautiful."