Nomad - Best of

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Nomad - Best of album cover
Album Information

Total Tracks: 15   Total Length: 66:19

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some rich some poor

PakMan

I picked up an album (yes, vinyl) by Amina in a used record store in Minnesota about fifteen years ago and was captivated. What was this strange blend of french and arabic sounds? where did this artist hail from? I knew nothing about her music or career for another ten years when I learned more about the genre. This is the second recording of hers I've listened to. Her best stuff allows her to really open up her pipes (and electronic equipment) to give us a rich, full, bright sound, as on La Dernier or La Cercle Rouge or Lirrili. Other songs sound dissapointingly average. I like the first album better than the greatest hits.

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Not entirely good

Igloo-Lou

The album as a whole is ok, but if you only have a few downloads left, go for "La dernier..." (the best song here by all means), Waadileh and Yanari. Avoid some lesser stuff like " Atame" or My Man. Come to think of it, she should stick to arab and french lyrics...

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They Say All Music Guide

In many ways, Amina’s become as much French as Tunisian, since that’s where her career’s been based, although her North African roots often shine through on this collection, which really is, for once, a greatest-hits package. From 1991 Eurovision Song Contest winner “Le Dernier Qui A Parle” — for once a truly adventurous piece of music in a competition which generally aims for the lowest common denominator — to two new tracks, “Ya Baba” and “Ederlezi,” she shows a path that can easily embrace both pop (the French hit “Dis Moi Pourquoi”) and the more radical “C’est Gai,” which brings in dub and Malian flute, thanks to producers Renegade Soundwave. There’s also plenty of West African influence, thanks to ongoing collaborations with Senegal’s Wasis Diop, who co-wrote both “Le Dernier Qui A Parle” and “Digge.” However, probably the most singular track has to be here remake of “My Man,” originally a French torch song, but now most strongly associated with diva Billie Holiday. This take brings in swooping Egyptian strings, with Amina’s voice at the most quavering and emotional, giving the song an impact equal to its most famous version. As much as the performances here, what strikes the listener is the range of Amina’s musical vision: restless, maybe homeless, but continually searching. – Chris Nickson

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