Atlas Soul: Press

Atlas Soul

Atlas Soul is an award-winning band performing original music that celebrates Afro-Mediterranean culture and rhythm spiced with Jazz and Funk. Incorporating many genres into their sound such as Raï, Funk, Shaabi, Jazz, Afrobeat, Jungle, Socca, Reggae, Gnawa, and Samba; this band posesses a sound and talent that truly spans and samples the deliciousness of human culture and experience.

Naturally you can categorize them in the "world music" category. They sing in Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew and English, making it not only a truly World Music band, but probably one of the only group of this kind currently residing in the United States of America.

Their lyrics speak of love, natural wonders, oppression, poverty, and of the melancholy of immigrants longing for their homelands. Their motto is world-music-for-world-peace.

Philosophically and politically, Atlas Soul hopes to inspire world peace through a fusion of music and culture that gets people to the dance floor.

We did say award winning right? Check the list:

Their newest EP “Maktoub” (Destined) was an Independent Music Awards Finalist 2008 (with the song Ana Weyak/You and Me)

The 2006 5 songs EP release: MABROUKA (blessings) received rave acclaims:

Independent Music Awards 2007 Vox Populi Winners (world fusion)

Independent Music Awards 2007 Finalist (with the song: L'amour en banlieue)

11th Annual Unisong International Song Contest (2007) Finalist (with the song: L'amour en banlieue)

Billboard World SONG CONTEST (2007) Honorable Mention (with the song: L'amour en banlieue)

Global Rhythm magazine Song Contest Winners (2006) (with the song: L'amour en banlieue)

Canary Islands International Song Contest Finalist (2006) (with the song: Quiere me y veras)

They are Boston Music Awards Nominees (Outstanding World Music Act) 2000,2001, 2002, 2006 & 2007

The new song “Mahmouma” is selected to be included in the Music For Peace compilation CD.


For More Info Visit:
www.sonicbids.com/atlassoul

Atlas Soul's blend of jazz, funk and Middle-Eastern/Arabic grooves is a facinating sonic stew that will catch any listener's ear. This is their second appearence on our CD- We like'em, and you will too.

“What hits hardest about Atlas Soul’s sound is the natural funk of North African music and also powerful vocals, which span fluid, passionate Gnawa melodies and husky Raï hooks. There is great wisdom in a world-music outfit that embraces divergent genres (but not so many that the sound loses its identity)"

Effortless cross-cultural blend with enticing results!

The hallmark of the North African musical tradition is an openness to others. Musicians from this culture effortlessly blend centuries-old rhythms, instruments and melodic concepts with modern ideas and innovations from the world over, creating a constantly changing panorama of styles. Jacques Pardo and Atlas Soul exemplify this spirit. In their second CD, Mabrouka, the group serves up a tantalizing stew of musical styles. The delighted listener hears the influences of jazz, Latin, flamenco, French hip-hop and the traditional North African music, all blended with the deft and sure hand of a master chef. Great vocals top off the warm and savory instrumental mix.

highly innovative and listenable, melodic and exciting.

Thank you for sending on this C.D. This is to use the old "cliche " something totally different. It is an exciting cornucopia of world music, and cultural rhythms blended and fused together to produce a sound which is both melodic and exciting. Superbly played, arranged, and produced this recording is highly innovative and listenable, and conjures up vivid images of exotic and far away places. I would certainly like to hear other work by Jacques Pardo and his group of talented Musicians. Great rhythms. Best Wishes John Reid

Fantastic Album. Great stuff for our Radio Station

Hello and Happy Halloween -
Just writing to let you know that I have received, and am thoroughly enjoying the copy of "Mabrouka" that you sent me (through RadioDirectX).
What a range of sound and style for a 5-trk EP: it's hard to believe that the first song and the last are from the same group. Beautiful, tight jazz....with excellent N.African-sounding rhythms. And the vocals are superb as well -- especially the combination on my favorite track "L'amour En Banlieue".
Thanks so much for sending the CD. I will debut it on my radio program ("The Echo Chamber" on KFAI-FM) one week from today. (I would debut it tonight except for the fact that we are doing a "spooky" Halloween type show....)
Give my best to the whole of Atlas Soul. I look forward to hearing & airing more...
Respect,
Dr. StrangeDub (Michael Rose)

Really enjoying Atlas Soul's "Mabrouka". It's amazing how the band's different influences manage to blend themselves into one tight sound. "Angelo Mio" is such a hauntingly beautiful song of longing. The vocals really stand up to the richly textured music. It's a song we will cherish in our collection for many years. Kate Martinelli Ozcat Radio 91.5 Vallejo, California www.ozcatradio.com PS added you guys to our artists page: http://www.ozcatradio.com/ozcat-radio-artists.html

Jacques, I love the album. I will play several tracks and put the album on rotation for the others DJ to play. I will let you know everytime I play the album. Thanks for making the music possible.
James

Feedback: An excellent release... Nice, tight, jazzy playing, with some very authentic Middle Eastern percussions (and vocals) on some tracks. I just love the track “L'Amour En Banlieue”....It reminds me of some of the best things done by Natacha Atlas.
This DJ is very much looking forward to the next Atlas Soul release.

Hi Jacques Many Sincere thanks for the Cd you submitted to us. We have played it, and think that it is well worth having tracks from the CD included into our playlists. The character of the music style presented gives this CD a unique feel, with an individual personality presented inside it's contents. Great work, and we sure look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Kind Regards graham@soundwavefm.co.nz

Hi Jaques, Great work on this disc full of wonderful song's and music. One to be proud of.
Thank's George Young

Dear friend in good music : I received your cd : is very very good and now in airplay on my radio show and playlist .
Sincerely,
Maurizio Benvenuti

You need to have this CD in your collection. Really good release. No excuse to not have this CD right on your CD player. We just love it here on The Upper Room Radio Show. Gi Dussault