Atlas Soul

Artist Information

Biography

Atlas Soul’s live performances engage the audience in a cross-cultural music experience. They incorporate elements of jazz, funk and rock with North African and Middle Eastern traditional melodies and grooves.

They have won or been finalists in nearly every national or international song contest they have entered.

“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)”
Banning Eyre (Afropop worldwide)

They have performed at some of the most prestigious venues in North America including the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center, the Festival International de Louisiane, the Houston International Festival, Musikfest, the FNX/Boston Phoenix Jazz Series at the Hatch Shell, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique (Montreal) the Boston Globe Jazz Festival, the Steppin’Out Festival, MASS MoCA , les Francofolies de Montreal, Joe’s Pub in NYC, Old Time School of Music in Chicago and many more. They have been booked on the same bill as and shared the stage with international artists such as Lady Smith Black Mombazo, Thomas Mapfumo, Gigi, Alpha Blondy, Hassan Hakmoun, Baba Maal and Cheb Nasro just to name a few.

”Atlas Soul’s blend of jazz, funk and Middle-Eastern/Arabic grooves is a fascinating sonic stew that will catch any listener’s ear. This is their second appearance on our CD’s compilation. We like’em, and you will too”. Global Rhythm Magazine

Unless you have lived in Europe or have been into North African World Music, you have probably never heard anything like this, and yet everywhere they play, they conquer their public with the first tune, getting everyone up and dancing, making hardcore fans that want to stay in touch long after the band has left town.

They have released 4 CDs.
Their latest album, a 6 songs EP entitled “MAKTOUB” (Destined) is the 8 annual Independent Music Awards (world fusion) Finalist.
Also 2 songs from “Maktoub” are nominated in the largest music awards of any kind in world history!
L’amour en banlieue is in the “world songs” category.
Anaweyak is in the “Middle Eastern songs” category.
Just Plain Folks Music Organization.
http://www.jpfolks.com/default.php?page=awards

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)
Their first album “Chamsa” is Independent Music Awards 2004 Winners (with the song: YaWillie!)
They are Boston Music Awards Nominees (Outstanding World Music Act) 2000,2001, 2002, 2006 & 2007

The new song “Mahmouma” has been selected for the Music For Peace compilation CD.
The song “SOLE” has been selected by PETROL RECORDS/EMI world wide in 9/07 on a compilation called “Arabia, The Greatest Songs Ever”
“L’Amour En Banlieue” appeared on the Global Rhythm’s compilation CD 8/06 (that reaches 120,000 readers each month) along with songs from artist such as Asha Bhosle, Ska Cubano & Salif Keita.
”Angelo Mio” appeared on the Global Rhythm’s CD compilation 10/06 along with songs from artist such as T. Jobim, Marisa Monte, Lee Ritenour, Gal Costa & Tania Maria
“Mabrouka” was also selected to be used on the Rock n Cookin’ Kitchen - TV Show. The show is currently in production and will be broadcast on DATV via Time Warner Cable Channel 20 Dayton and 19 MVCC. They will also expand to include Chicago and California in the near future.

Winners of the Independent Music Awards 2004 in the World Fusion category, Atlas Soul incorporates many genres: Raï, Funk, Shaabi, Jazz, Afrobeat, Jungle, Socca, Reggae, Gnawa & Samba. “It might sound a bit ambitious but it comes to us very naturally,” Jacques Pardo, leader of the band explains.

Atlas Soul sings 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. The 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.

For more information and review copies of their latest “Maktoub” CD, please contact Jacques Pardo at 617 923 9957 or email him at jacques@atlas-soul.com
"Maktoub” (destined) is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/CD/atlassoul3
© 2009 Atlas Soul

For more information and to review copies of their latest “Maktoub” CD, or to be on their mailing list please contact Jacques Pardo at 617 923 9957 or email him at jacquespardo@comcast.net
websites:
http://www.atlas-soul.com
http://reverbnation.com/atlassoul
http://band.to/atlassoul/
http://www.myspace.com/atlassoul
http://www.sonicbids.com/atlassoul

Instrumentation

Jacques Pardo (France, USA, Israel): guitar, sax, vocals, band leader.
Anwar Souini (Morocco,USA): lead vocals.
Nadjim Kebir(Algeria,USA): vocals, percussions, drum set
Tim Paul Weiner (USA):electric bass
Jason Kenyon (USA): drum set
Jon Simmons (USA): trombone, percussions.

Discography

"Maktoub" (Destined) EP October 2008

"Sole" feaured on CD titled: Greatest Songs Ever: Arabia. Published and distributed by EMI (Sept. 2007)

"Mabrouka" (Blessings) EP July 2006

"L'Amour En Banlieue" featured in the Global Rhythm compilation CD August 2006

"Angelomio" featured in the Global Rhythm compilation CD October 2006

"Halila" single featured on the compilation: "Festival Nuits d'Afrique" 2005

"Live" EP recorded live in 2004

"YaWillie" single featured on the Independent Music Award compilation: "Sounds like this..." 2004

"Chamsa" (high five) 2001 full lenght CD

"Maya" single featured in the movie: Eat Me

"We all live in a Jungle" Cosmos Factor 1995 full lenght album

"Havar, havar" single featured in the "Live at WERS" Compilation CD

http://www.myspace.com/AtlasSoul
http://www.reverbnation.com/atlassoul
http://www.numberonemusic.com/atlassoul
http://www.soundclick.com/AtlasSoul
http://www.bandspace.com/AtlasSoul
http://www.jamwave.com/atlassoul
http://www.atlas-soul.com/
http://www.purevolume.com/atlassoul
http://www.songtiger.com/bands/23/
http://www.soundlift.com/atlassoul
http://www.isound.com/atlas_soul
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/atlassoul
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/atlassoul2
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/atlassoul3
http://www.wellroundedradio.net/episodes/2003/07/episode004.html
http://audiolunchbox.com/search?artist=Atlas+Soul
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive_month.cfm?month=8&year=2002

Links

• Grab a widget music player at Reverbnation
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Get our new CD "Maktoub" and support us
• WOMEX world music business directory

Audio

• Anaweyak
  Listen  
• L'amour en banlieue
  Listen  
• Home
  Listen  
• Mahmouma
  Listen  
• Koumouyanass
  Listen  
• Maktoub
  Listen  

Lyrics

• L'Amour En Banlieue
• Sole
• Passa la Vida
• Quiereme y veras
• Angelo Mio
• Mahmouma
• Viens vers la lumiere (come to the light)
• Home (Bladi)
• You and I (Ana Weyak)

Video

"live" at the New England Culture Fest. Video Montage

Photo Gallery

Press

• "Mabrouka" CD review June 07 [+ Show ]
  

  Mediterranean melodies and more. The melting together of various ethnic musical styles is not jus...Mediterranean melodies and more.
  
  The melting together of various ethnic musical styles is not just a theory or practice for Atlas Soul, the members themselves are literally from all kinds of different countries and backgrounds. The group came together in Boston and it is where they make their homebase. Atlas Soul are: Jacques Pardo (France, Israel): guitar, sax, vocals, Angela Rossi (Italy): vocals, Walid Zairi (Tunisia): electric bass, Oud, percussions, Lucas Leto (USA): drum set, percussions, Jon Simmons (USA): trombone, percussions, Nadwa Al Rifai (Lebanon): vocals. Alan Perez (Cuba): vocals, percussions. Anwar Souini (Morocco): vocals, percussions.Atlas Soul is an award-winning band performing original music that celebrates Afro-Mediterranean culture and rhythm heavily spiced with Jazz and Funk. On their 3rd CD, "Mabrouka" they continue their genre-busting music. On "Angelo Mio" the melody and mood is slow and sultry with a moody trombone floating around the vocal but then the Chorus suddenly features a Drum n' Bass-type drumbeat while everything else remains in the original slow groove. Other tunes such as "Sarah's Groove" and "Sole" and more hard-driving Funk with heavily syncopated rhythms and extended improvisational jams that would not sound out of place at an outdoor Jamband festival. "Quiereme y veras" displays the Oud and Nylon-stringed guitars truly evoking a Mediterranean landscape and all that it entails. In addition to songs being sung in a languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew and English, Atlas Soul as lo espousing a political mind set. The 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.- P.R. Brimstone -

• Global Rhythm Magazine [+ Show ]
  

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

• CD reviews/Feedback from Radio Stations 2006/2007 [+ Show ]
  

  Media name: James Cervantes Company name: KWVA Date: 2007-11-12 15:40:38 Feedback: Jacques, I lov...Media name: James Cervantes Company name: KWVA Date: 2007-11-12 15:40:38
  Feedback:
  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
  
  James Cervantes
  Jazz Format Director
  KWVA
  
  Media name: Dr. StrangeDub (Michael Rose) Company name: KFAI-FM Date: 2007-11-11 07:11:03
  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 Sould release.
  
  Media name: Carlos Mantilla Company name: Universidad Industrial de Santander Date: 2007-11-10 01:29:03
  Feedback: October 24th / 2007 Play List Jazz Club 10:00 PM 96.9 FM Bucaramanga, Colombia Tittle Artist L'Amour En Banlieue Atlas Soul Smooth Sailing Airborne Angel Mio Atlas Soul Festival Sunset Airborne Quiereme Y Veras Atlas Soul Can't Fight Love Airborne Sole Atlas Soul The Message Airborne Passa La Vida Atlas Soul
  
  Media name: Graham J Barclay Company name: Soundwave FM Date: 2007-11-09 02:01:24
  Feedback: 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 charactor 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
  
  Media name: george young Company name: country club productions pty ltd Date: 2007-10-29 10:42:18
  Feedback: Hi Jaques, Great work on this disc full of wonderful song's and music. One to be proud of.
  Thank's George Young
  Media name: Maurizio Benvenuti Company name: Radio Incontro Date: 2007-05-28 08:53:31
  Feedback: 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
  Media name: Richard Good Company name: Radio One 91 FM Date: 2007-07-15 12:59:26
  Feedback: A record review, and tracks played across several editions of Radio One's "Jazz Junction." Angela Rossi is possessed of a good voice. Interesting rhythms and instrumentation. an intruiging mix of jazz & world music, although on occasions (Love in the suburbs ) perhaps too little of the former.
  Media name: Yanick M. Thériault Company name: CKUM RadioJ 93.5 MF Date: 2007-05-17 08:06:11
  Feedback: Cool.
  
  Media name: Mitchell Mendys Company name: WKNH Date: 2007-03-17 11:48:46
  Feedback: HEY YOU GUYS GROOVE NICELY!!I'LL BE PLAYING YOU ON MY WORLD MIX SHOW NOW AND ON MY SUMMER "COOL JOOLZ" SHOW TOO. THANKS, MITCHELL MENDYS wknh
  
  
  Media name: Gi Dussault Company name: Upper Room Radio Show Date: 2007-01-18 01:45:12
  
  Feedback: 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 Upper Room Radio Show www.upperroomwithjoekelley.com
  
  Media name: Louis Brunet Company name: CKMN-FM 96,5 Date: 2007-01-08 01:34:00
  
  Feedback: Very good cd. I've played many times in my show.
  
  
  Media name: Michael Criddle Company name: Triple H-FM Date: 2006-11-18 09:53:55
  
  Feedback: What a great sound you have, I have played several of your tracks to date and plan to schedule more in future programs. Keep up the good work and please keep me up to date with your progress Regards Michael Criddle OzRadio ozradio@ozisp.com.au
  
  
  
  Media name: Tony Wickham Company name: Radio Maldwyn Date: 2007-01-04 03:00:49
  
  Feedback: I love the basic style of this recording: musically, the haunting trombone in the background 'makes it' for me, although anyone who thinks that mucking about with turntables makes music and deserves a credit (Mr. williams!) needs a period in a correctional institution. Great vocals from Angela, and overall a nice style for an early evening show. TONY WICKHAM RADIO MALDWYN, UK
  
  
  Media name: Scott Stevens Company name: KAOS Community Radio Date: 2007-01-15 04:37:16
  
  Feedback: Added to KAOS library, and has gotten spins on several "world music" and eclectic shows. Thanks!
  
  Media name: Brad C Dedmon Company name: WMNF 88.5 FM ,Tampa Date: 2007-01-21 12:39:05
  
  Feedback: Mabrouka has good blend of world and jazz on this CD.
  
  Media name: Dioni Piatkowski Company name: JAZZ RADIO fm Date: 2006-11-30 12:47:34
  
  Feedback: thank you very much for set of recordings and press-kits informations. I will back with additional details and offer as soon as I will get confirmation and budget details concerning ERA JAZZU for new season. Will be great to invite you here -- but be sure - I wish to make it on strong and professional way. Drop me a line if any more assistance and - be in touch... All the best: Dioni Pištkowski ERA JAZZU Strzelecka 37 62-050 Mosina POLAND fax:++61/813.25.66 www.jazz.pl erajazzu@jazz.pl
  
  
  Media name: David Martin Company name: Martel Date: 2006-11-24 12:50:31
  
  Feedback: 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
  
  
  
  
  Media name: John Reid Company name: Keith Community Radio Date: 2006-10-24 07:24:48
  
  Feedback: 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 Keith Community Radio 102.8 FM Keith Banffshire SCOTLAND
  
  
  Media name: Alex Pijnen Company name: BRTO Radio Date: 2006-10-23 01:11:11
  
  Feedback: Fantastic Album. Great stuff for our Radio Station.
  
  

• Comments from fans 2006/2007 [+ Show ]
  

  hi you guys are the most amazing band in the WORLD!! I LOVE YOU!!!Sandra Hi! Ive never been more...hi you guys are the most amazing band in the WORLD!! I LOVE YOU!!!Sandra
  
  Hi!
  Ive never been more obsessed with a band ever for this long
  You guys will never go outta style for me
  You guys are awesome
  Thanx for putting good music out there
  Kim
  
  Hi! That's awesome. Music soundin good...have to try and get along to see
  you sometime. Rafael Chaves
  
  I really love your music, so thanks for introducing me to it.
  Elizabeth Hicks
  
  Angelo Mio l is a wicked awesome song. You should try getting on CDusa sometime. You are gonna be huge
  Peace. etienne
  
  hey you guys freking rock i love *angelo mio * and i cant stop listening to it yeah have to buy your cd. Randall
  
  i like your music (Angelo Mio is coool !) janet fan
  
  excellent excellent music.
  you made my day.
  keep up the very good work.
  Leona
  
  I would have to say that you guys are the most amazing band I have ever heard. You guys have everything else down, amazing chord progressions, talented instrumentalists.
  I have to see you live!
  Irma Doherty
  
  Hey there;) Love the music. Lisa Broderick
  
  Angelo mio is my favorite!!!Bonnie
  
  you guys really need to come to rochester ny! Austin Bullard
  
  You guys are the best band ever. I love all your songs but especially "angelo ... its so awesome. OMG you guys are the best. Alpin Mc Veigh
  
  you guys are AMAZING! i played Angelo Mio on here atleast a hundred times.. =] Valeire Holst
  
  You guys ROCK!!! I am obsessed with Angelo Mio ...great song! :) Tom Alesia
  
  You guys are simply AMAZING. Love "Angelo Mio ". Marie Shoemaker
  i cant stop listening to you guys. John Young
  amazing music!
  trudee
  Your talent blows me away!!!!!!!! OMG!!
  erica
  I've been listening to yall for a while and I like what I hear. Catch yall later! Jen
  I can't stop listening to this music, it's great. Melissa Darwin
  
  You guys def. have a unique sound and one that I love. As the daughter of a musician who has been in the studio most of her life...not only with my father but also with Tommy Lee on one occasion when making his latest solo cd.... I can appreciate talent when I hear it... I am not a musican myself but being around the industry from childhood has enlightened me and given me the ability to recognize and acknowledge talent when i see it and hear it. My future prediction sais that you guys are on the way to becoming something HUGE... I COULD NEVER COMPARE YOU GUYS SOUND TO ANYONE BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT ALL OF YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO A BIG HIT...SO I WON'T EVEN TRY TO MAKE A COMPARISON TO ANOTHER BAND OR ONE OF THIER RECENT HITS...JUST KEEP UP THE HARD WORK AND OF COURSE, THE INSPIRATION THAT FUELS THE FIREWORKS!!!!!! !!!
  Kathy Scott
  
  number1 band for the summer days.... David O
  
  your too freakin talented! keep it up=) Elizabeth Sawyer
  
  can't wait for ya'll to blowup HUGE. from what i've heard, after the CD hits -- yall will be household names. Sharon sweet kisses
  
  I just wanted to tell you that you guys are AMAZING artist, and I love you music! Chloe
  
  Do me a favor and never stop creating music...
  I don't know what I would have done without your music in my life these past few months.
  I look forward to a bright future with more of it. Rachael Pence
  
  Your guys' music is absolutely amazing. You have to come to Seattle and play soon. I'll bring everyone that I know in order to fill the place. Eriica
  
  you guys are awesome
  keep it up. Barbara Fox
  
  Your music is TIGHT! its hard for me to believe you guys arent signed yet - you should at least be getting major label interest...
  These are the best tracks i've heard on n1m site by far...
  
  keep up the good work! 5!
  Karmen
  
  Hello
  I've heard a few bands attempting to acheive similar things to you-but none so succesful at it- or so startlingly original sounding...
  This band should be beyond Numberonemusic and looking for entertainment lawyers in NYC to shop their demo... hope you guys are touring around I'd love to see you live!
  Onto my playlist,thanks for the inspiration and a rare 5 stars from me....
  Barry
  
  Awesome songs, gotta hear more from you guys!
  If you dont get signed within a week or two then i would eat my guitar.
  
  Best of luck !
  Grant
  
  Yeah!!!
  Thisis a must listen.Those songs I heard on N1M are HUGE... performed dynamically incredible with power and grace. Your songs could top the charts in many generes. It's without a doubt a worldly hit to be. Instrumentally, arrangement, production - its so refreshingly original and HOT - These songs have something special - beyond most hits. It's absolutely..masterpiece.It screams to be on radio and as well it should be.
  FANG YIN
  
  Hi
  Looks like I'm off my diet again after discovering your band on numberonemusic.
  Lot's of things happening, and it all comes together so well. Very professional!
  You have got a unique sound here that is making me happy as I listen.
  
  ... totally memorable songs. Now, go be a star so I can worship you from afar.
  Jeannie
  
  Great songs! Awesome production, great arrangements! I can't write 50 words
  about this, because it's easier to condem then praise.
  Heidi
  See U at n1m!
  
  Hi Jacques
  Just a note to say Hello and Best Wishes with your group "Atlas Soul". May you all be highly blessed for working towards World Peace, through the Music. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you here in England.
  
  Blessings
  
  Rajesh Semrete Selassie Aggarwal
  
  THESE SONGS ON N1 SITE ARE AWSOME! These songs should be on the radio. The arrangement is right on as well. I'm sorry. I have no constructive criticism for your songs. Theres nothing to say except, great songs. Loved it all.
  Tanya
  
  Superb!
  The production is HOT! The performance is blazing. Very open and spacious arrangement and mix...Performance is strong and tighter than a lot of what I hear on the radio as it sits right now. I love your tunes, and it's going on my n1m favorites.
  An exciting original work!!!
  Lea (your Number One Fan)
  
  Hi!!
  This is staggeringly beautiful. Nothing short of breathtaking.
  What I love about your music is how it is both smart, achingly beautiful,
  and artful.
  That's so gorgeous. It sounds so natural and flows wonderfully. (More proof
  that you can use complex time signatures without alienating your audience!)
  My only criticism is that you aren't on the radio or playing in my town.
  See U on numberonemusic and hope to hear more from you soon.
  Art
  
  Yeah!!!
  You've managed to put together very beautiful & catchy tunes. Those are
  perhaps the most professional tunes I've laid my ears on Numberonemusic.com.
  Thank you for sharing this wonderful music with the lot of us - music for
  free is nice - but you ought to get paid!
  William
  

• Reviews from our page at : http://www.cdbaby.com/atlassoul2 [+ Show ]
  

  Reviews from our page at : http://www.cdbaby.com/atlassoul2 Effortless cross-cultural blend with ...Reviews from our page at : http://www.cdbaby.com/atlassoul2
  Effortless cross-cultural blend with enticing results!
  Reviewer: Mike Crager
  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.
  
  I have to see you live!
  Reviewer: Irma Doherty
  I would have to say that you guys are the most amazing band I have ever heard. You guys have everything else down, amazing chord progressions, talented instrumentalists. I have to see you live!
  
  You guys are the best band ever!
  Reviewer: Alpin McVeigh
  You guys are the best band ever. I love all your songs but especially "angelo ... its so awesome. OMG you guys are the best. Alpin McVeigh
  
  you guys have a unique sound and one that i love
  Reviewer: kathy scott
  you guys def. have a unique sound and one that i love. as the daughter of a musician who has been in the studio most of her life...not only with my father but also with tommy lee on one occasion when making his latest solo cd.... i can appreciate talent when i hear it... i am not a musician myself but being around the industry from childhood has enlightened me and given me the ability to recognize and acknowledge talent when i see it and hear it. my future prediction is that you guys are on the way to becoming something huge... i could never compare you guys sound to anyone but i do believe that all of you are on the way to a big hit...so i won't even try to make a comparison to another band or one of their recent hits...just keep up the hard work and of course, the inspiration that fuels the fireworks!!!!!! !!! kathy
  
  Always good music we want more!
  Reviewer: Annie Royer
  I like the new style for some of the song but I am a fan of the Oriental style so deep! Please never stop to make our heart sing. I am so jealous! I'd like to sing with you some day, all my love Annie
  
  Superbe musique metisse qui rechaufe le coeur et fait bouger les pieds!
  Reviewer: Michael R. Crager
  Ton CD est arrivé le week-end passé. Je l'aime beaucoup! Quel beau mélange de styles tu as créé! J'entends des influences maghrebienne, latine, de flamenco, de hip-hop, de jazz--c'est chouette! La production est très bien faite, le son est clair mais chaleureux, l'ensemble est très à l'aise mais il y a beaucoup d'énergie. Félicitations, mon ami! Mike
  
  What a fresh sound!
  Reviewer: Linda Blackbourn
  I am so excited to hear this! The band is so tight. Love the vocals and the unique sound. I am buying this CD for my friends and looking forward to the next!
  
  

• world of local music [+ Show ]
  

  The Boston Phoenix (January 4 2002) BY BANNING EYRE On a recent Friday night at Matt Murphy’s ...The Boston Phoenix (January 4 2002) BY BANNING EYRE
  
  
  On a recent Friday night at Matt Murphy’s Irish bar in Brookline Village, an unlikely jam was unfolding. Atlas Soul, a new Boston-based world-music outfit, laid down spacious North African funk grooves with passionate vocals, polyrhythmic percussion breaks, and trancy guitar and saxophone melodies that would be the envy of any jam band. Against the sound of neighborhood patrons lifting pints and tapping their feet, a few of the band’s loyal North African fans clapped out counter-rhythms, and before long strangers were joining them. If September 11 created an environment unfriendly to Arabic and North African culture, nobody told these people.
  That night, the Atlas Soul line-up was pared down to a five-piece combo with Jacques Pardo on vocals, guitar, and sax and Lotfi Tiken on vocals and guitar. Pardo was born in France to Greek and Algerian parents; Tiken traces his Berber heritage to Casablanca. Boujemaa Razgui, who’s also from Morocco, played dumbek (hand drum) and nay (wooden flute); the sound was filled out by Scott Palmer pumping out fat bass lines and Andreas Brades playing excellent drums rich with complex, grooving North African rhythms.
  Atlas Soul formed about a year ago, when the remaining members of two bands in transition — Cosmos Factor and Casablanca 6/8 — merged. Cosmos were Pardo’s group, a jolly, rambling world-music outfit that has been enlivening Boston clubs since the early ’90s. Casablanca 6/8 were an all-Moroccan jazz-fusion band that Lotfi Tiken started with his brother Majid in 1989. The Tiken brothers guested on Cosmos’s 1995 release, We All Live in a Jungle, and the two bands have remained close ever since. Majid has since moved to Switzerland, but his voice is heard on Atlas Soul’s impressive self-released debut, Chamsa, which means, "Give me five."
  What hits hardest about Atlas Soul’s sound is the natural funk of North African music and also Lotfi’s powerful vocals, which span fluid, passionate Gnawa melodies and husky rai hooks. There is great wisdom in a world-music outfit that embraces divergent genres (but not so many that the sound loses its identity). At Matt Murphy’s, Atlas Soul finished the first set with a 20-minute rendition of Pardo’s homage to the Nigerian bandleader Fela Kuti. Pardo’s French-accented vocal sounded more like Satchmo than Fela, but the song kicks, and as they worked it through dumbek-driven percussion breakdowns, extended solos, and a chanting passage that got the whole bar calling out Fela’s name (whether or not they knew who he was), his venerable Afrobeat morphed into rhythms and melodies of North Africa and the Middle East and made sense in a whole new way.
  Pardo says the North African identity brings a crowd response you don’t get with garden-variety world beat. When the band first formed, they played Sundays at the Kirkland Café in Cambridge. "We had people from the North African community coming to see us every week. They go really nuts. They throw money at you. Sometimes we had North African pop stars coming and sitting in with us. We had Cheb Nasro for a while. When he’d be coming, they’d be throwing between $400 or $1000 at him in a night." The clapping heard at Matt Murphy’s is a standard part of the North African response. "It becomes like a rhythm section. At Francofolie in Montreal, we had hundreds of people clapping their hands together. Kids were jumping on stage. I rarely saw anything like this in my life."
  And Pardo’s own musical roots? "I come from a family of music lovers. In Paris, the first gramophone ever possible to buy, my father and mother bought it and played Greek and Arabic music on it all the time. They bought me my first guitar when I was six years old. I was playing three chords and singing. I sang in my first band when I was about 11." After a stint in Israel playing in a mixed Jewish and Arab band, he made his way to the US and ended up in a touring blues band for a few years. When he settled in Boston, his real desire was to play Middle Eastern songs. That was a part of the mix in Cosmos Factor, but tossed in with Latin grooves, Afropop, and New Orleans funk, it never came through with the clarity he’s getting in Atlas Soul. He even sings a respectable Arabic vocal on "Ya Willie."
  Pardo is drawn to the spiritual depth of Moroccan trance music. In Atlas Soul, their visions harmonize, both on Chamsa’s varied tracks and in the band’s spirited live shows. Watch for them on festival stages next summer.
  
  

• Incendiary Baaba Maal plays smoking grooves. By Bob Young [+ Show ]
  

  Anyone interested in the roots of groove music got the most fiery master class imaginable at the sol...Anyone interested in the roots of groove music got the most fiery master class imaginable at the sold-out Paradise on Wednesday night courtesy of Senegal’s Baaba Maal……….
  ……..The salsa-feed “African Women” turned into a sweaty party, a towering musical bonfire that burned even higher when local tenor saxophonist Jacques Pardo joined the band, punching out infectious riffs of his own……….
  

• CD review [+ Show ]
  

  5 out of 5 stars Reviewer: CD Baby Moroccan Rai, Shaabi, West-African Hilife, Socca, Reggae, Sa...
  5 out of 5 stars
  Reviewer: CD Baby
  Moroccan Rai, Shaabi, West-African Hilife, Socca, Reggae, Samba, Jazz, Funk and Rock. This album will get you addicted to world music, rock your soul and get you up on your feet. Party dance on the islands kinda stuff. Great mix of traditional and modern party. DEEPLY FUNKY.

• Banning Eyre. [+ Show ]
  

  “What hits hardest about Atlas Soul’s sound is the natural funk of North African music and also po... “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)" writes world music journalist Banning Eyre.

• 12-Song CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  Atlas Soul - "Chamsa" (Cosmos Productions) YourSound.com CD Review by Michael Baldino, 09-06-20...Atlas Soul - "Chamsa" (Cosmos Productions)
  
  YourSound.com CD Review by
  Michael Baldino, 09-06-2001
  It's a rare joy to find an album that can be wholeheartedly recommended to fans of every type of music, and I'm thrilled with Atlas Soul's Chamsa. They've got it all: James Brown/Fela Kuti-style funk workouts, a multitude of Latin rhythms and percussion, catchy hooks and vocal melodies, and some smokin' soloists in Lotfi Tiken (guitar/vox.) and Jacques Pardo (sax/vox.). There's just short of a million guest players in addition to the group's six core members, but the sound is never cluttered, no one ever plays a superfluous note, and the groove is never lost. The whole affair reminds me of a wacky foreign Steely Dan or Los Amigos Invisibles and the Buena Vista Social Club jamming with Baba Maal and Orchestra Baobab. The liner notes explain it best: "Atlas Soul music incorporates many genres: Moroccan Rai, Shaabi, West African Hilife, Socca, Reggae, Samba, Jazz, Funk, and Rock. It might sound a bit ambitious but it comes to us very naturally. Our goal is to transcend over the genres, styles and music trends and to communicate to you-the listener-the passions, emotions, and fun that we share while composing and playing it."
  - Michael Baldino, YourSound.com, Inc.
  (c)2001, Michael Baldino
  

Setlist

We have over 180 minutes of original and cover grooving world/Funk/Jazz music material from our albums: Chamsa, Live and Mabrouka.
Here is a song list:

1. Samba Baba

2. Oye , Look out

3. Koumouyanass

4. Ya Raii

5. Ambidextrous

6. Reggae Bueno

7. Brookline bridge Ska

8. Angelomio

9. Quiereme y versa

10. Sole

11. Passa la vida

12. L’amour en banlieue

13. For Fela

14. Cacahuettes

15. love is not easy

16. YaWillie

17. Casbah Dream

18. Pourquoi

19. Casbah Dream

20. We all Live in a Jungle

21. Sucked into reality

22. Do Your Thing

23. Maya

24. Cosmopolitan Rumba

25. Shmetsen Samba

26. All The World Women

27. Cubana

28. Samba Factory

29. Ya Willie

30. Come to my House

31. Shaabi Gamelan

32. Quiere Me Y Veras

33. Middle-Eastern 7/8

34. (JAZZ /FUNK STANDARTS)

35. Ambidextrous

36. Freedom Jazz Dance

37. Senior Blues

38. Calypso Minor

39. Whisper Not

40. I Remember Clifford

41. Blues March

42. Killer Joe

43. Witch Hunt

44. Footprints

45. Infant Eyes

46. Speak No Evil

47. Sabor

48. Linda Chicana

49. Afro Blue

50. Imperssions

51. Giant Steps

52. A love Supreme

Basic Requirements

Calendar