Malouma (Mauretania)
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Stemming from an erudite, intellectual and artistic milieu, Malouma has had to fight day after day to conquer the right to express herself in a country long stifled by an authoritarian government, Mauritania. She draws her inspiration from the blues and various Western influences. In her songs she evokes social themes and the deep emotions she can feel around her and depicts a modern, respectful visage of her fellow countrymen and women.
Nour
is a singular encounter between the Orient and the Occident, tradition
and future. This collaboration has given rise to a unique, unconventional
sound piece that covers the limits of Afropop and the traditional sensuality
of blues tinted with Arab accents. It is a sincere journey that transcends
musical borders and carries far the voice of Malouma, a poet who wants
to open up to the world.
The press about Malouma
"Here's
a woman perhaps equally possessed by her faith and the less spiritual
longing that inhabited the breakdown of Zeppelin's African excursions."
The Times, 5 May 2007 4 STARS
"one
of the most sonically adventurous world music albums I've heard in a while."
The Independent on Sunday, 6 May 2007, 4 STARS
"Malouma
is one of the greatest singers of North Africa."
The Guardian, 4 May 2007
"Nebine
pushes through a thicket of guitar; the fat beats under Gamly accentuate
the song's desert lope…Yarab growls deep and low."
The Financial Times, 5 May 2007
"I
believe that she is one of the great singers of our time."
Charlie Gillett, Observer Music Monthly Top 10, April 2007
"Malouma
holds her traditional ardin, or harp, in one hand as she speaks rapid-fire
Arabic into a mobile phone held in the other."
BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6599701.stm)
"…sparkles
like a veritable diamond."
Songlines, Top of the World 4 STARS, June 2007
"…this
ultra-modern but beautifully paced album that manages to carry the raw
air of the Sahara with it…"
Songlines feature/CD covermount/podcast, June 2007
"Taking
Mauretanian music out there. Class!"
fRoots Playlist, May 2007