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Cd Review
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Billings Gazette, Cd Review >>
Souad Massi
"Honeysuckle"
Wrasse Records
Born and raised in war-torn Algeria, singer Souad Massi fled as an adult to Paris where her mix of both musical clutures has made her famous everywhere, it seems, but the United States.
That would change "Honeysuckle," her most mature and accessible work so far. Sung mostly in Arabic, with a little English and French, Massi blends an upbeat stew of West African grooves with rock beats, classical, traditional folk and even flamenco.
Shifting from dance numbers to ballads, Massi's pure, soaring voice is equally adaptable at both. The opening cute, "Soon," begins with a driving Algerian rhtyhm, then drifts into a bluesy morna recalling a younger Cesaria Evora.
Massi is unabashedly romantic on cuts like the lush, string-backed titled track and "There's Worse," with its moaning cello.
Contact Chris Jorgensen at 657-1311 or cjorgensen@billingsgazette.com 02/18/05
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