Natacha Atlas: Mounqaliba

Robin Denselow reviews Natacha Atlas' Mounqaliba.

Two years ago, Natacha Atlas dramatically changed musical direction. Once known for her furious fusion of Arabic pop, beats and belly dancing, she recorded a subtle acoustic album, Ana Hina, in which she was backed by ney flute, cello and piano. It was a triumphant move, and it was only to be expected that she would continue to explore further acoustic fusions of Middle Eastern and western styles. What was not to be predicted is that she would record an album as unexciting as Mounqaliba.

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