Sunday, December 30, 2018

Najat Aâtabou - Non-Stop Derdeg in the 21st Century


Here's another Najat Aâtabou album that I don't see anywhere else online. It's from 2001, the followup to "Attention A Monsieur", which I posted a few months back. It has a mainstream-chaâbi feel similar to that album, except that the viola and oud (?) are replaced by what sounds like a steel-stringed plucked instrument - can't tell if it's a bouzouk or possibly a guitar.

At any rate, as with the previous album, the keyboard bass gives the album an overall "programmed" sound. The percussion is prominent in the mix, and the textures vary nicely from song to song and verse to verse. As is typical for much 21st century Moroccan chaâbi, the production is a little too perfect for my ear. Still, Najat's singing is as powerful as ever, and it's hard to argue with the kicking, 13 minute medley that closes the album.



Apologies to those to whom I owe an email, shout out, or other overdue salaam! Wishing everyone a good and groovy New Year!

Najat Aâtabou - نجاة اعتابو
Ândak Tkoun Boudina - عنداك اتكون بودينة 
Edition Sonya Disque cassette T.C. 1953 (2001)

1) Ândak Tkoun Boudina عنداك اتكون بودينة
2) Haouli 3a Lkbida حاولي عا لكبيدة
3) Stop Haddek Temma حدك تما STOP
4) Malek Timid A Loulid مالك تيميد ا لوليد
5) Ana Sehrouni انا سحروني
    Ya Lousti Khlini Menni L-Rajli يا لوستي خليني مني لراجلي
    Moutou Lli Dwaw Fiya موتو يا اللي داواو في

Get it all HERE.