Nawal
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Nawal

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Press


"New York Times"

[One] of the most notable world music CDs released over the last year.


- New York Times


"fROOTS"

"...downright gorgeous music...a record that's going to become a long-term favourite." - fROOTS


"Mondomix"

Nawal, "the voice of Comoros": a grande dame with rafined elegance, who makes the mixing of her roots her principal theme, a secret from which she entrances her public. From Sufi to Bantu polyphonies, in passing by the rythms of the Indian Ocean, her trio - Double bass, vocals, percussion - navigate with ease, and a real sense of musicality." - Mondomix


"Global Rhythm magazine"

"A gorgeous 12-song collection. "Aman selected" top 10 World Music CD's for August - Global Rhythm magazine


"La Presse (Quebec)"

"Nawal has a serene look of the wise. Her smile is contagious and that of an artist from the muslim culture petrified in an open and contemplative mysticism. Her imposing presence is that of an autonomous woman, moreover a free spirit. All this reflected in her composite music, as wall as the image of her life as a Comorian immigant in France." - La Presse (Quebec)


Discography

CD :
2008 : Nawal, “Aman” (DOM Distribution)
2001 : Nawal, “Kweli” (Mélodie)

Compilation :
2008 : FNAC Indétendances World
2008 : Francophonie Compilation
2005 : Touloulou “Aquarelle”
2004 : Putumayo “Women of Africa “
2002 : World Network “Island Blues”
1999 : Donna Africa 1995-1999 (Caravanes)
1998 : Touloulou “Bonne Nouvelle” (Night & Day)
1992 : Malgache Connexion “Bilo” (Silex)

Radio :
RFI “Musiques du Monde”, “Reine d’Afrique” - FRANCE
FRANCE CULTURE “L’Oreille d’un Sourd” - FRANCE
FRANCE INTER “L’Afrique Enchanté” - FRANCE
AFRICA NO.1 : “Africa Mix” - FRANCE
BBC francophone (Thomas Fessy) & BBC international
FIP
NOVA
PRI (Public Radio International) “The World” (Marco Werman) “Global Hit” USA 2007
WBAI “Wake Up Call” NYC, USA 2007
KCRW “Café L.A.” animé par Tom Schnabel, Los Angeles, CA, USA 2007
NHPR “Front Porch” animé par Liz Bulkley, USA 2007
CUIT Toronto, Canada 2007
RFI “World Tracks” (International)
BBC World Service “Music Review” by Radek Boschetty UK / INTL 2005
WBAI “The Arts Magazine” by Prairie Miller, NYC, USA 2005
KPFA “Music of the World” by Stephen Kent, Berkeley, CA, USA 2005
KALX “Tangents Radio” by Dore Stein, San Francisco, CA, USA 2005
KALW “Africa Mix” by Emmanuel Nado CA, USA 2005
KUSP “Rhythm Afrique” by Gypsy Flores Santa Cruz, CA, USA 2005
WHPK “Music Around the World” Chicago IL, USA 2005
KLCC “Tropical Beats” OR, USA 2005
Radio Comores Moroni, COMORES 2006
Radio 4, HOLLANDE 2005
Radio Populare, Milan, ITALIE 2002

Photos

Bio

Originally from the Comoros Islands, also known as the “Perfume Islands” or “Islands of the Moon”, Nawal bathed in both popular and spiritual music from a young age, Known as the “Voice of Comoros,” she is the first Comorian woman singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist to give performances in public.

As a child Nawal was often surrounded by the dzikr (sufi chants), twarab, afropop, and rhythm ‘n blues of the 70s. She sings mostly in Comorian, also with Arabic, French and English.

A self-produced ar tist, Nawal has performed professionally for over 20 years. Her second tour in the USA and Canada (2007) was a success. The same for her new album “Aman” (peace of the soul), which was released in Europe in 2008.

Between traditional and contemporary, Nawal’s music is an acoustic roots-based fusion, a reflection of the diverse character of life in her native islands. Indo-Arabian-Persian music meets Bantu polyphonies, the syncopated rhythms and Sufi trance of the Indian Ocean.

"[One] of the most notable world music CDs released over the last year." New York Times