Music
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Review
by Greg Boraman
18 June 2003
'Neo-soul' gets a further boost with the release of the self-titled Tasha's World. Rotterdam born vocalist Natascha Slagtand presents a confident collection, full of rootsy and organic sounds, complimented by sparse but tough hip hop beats.
There will be inevitable comparisons to Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, and the similarities are evident enough. Like Badu she is given to a refreshing musical kleptomania; she's even supplied the after show entertainment at one of Scott's gigs.
Modern she maybe, but throughout the album you sense a woman who knows her soul history - especially the sophisticated sounds of the early 70s. On "She's A Pimp "shades of Curtis Mayfield's plaintive falsetto voice filter through. Her lyrics are intense and personal studies of love's twisted turns, a nice change from the meaningless and glib R&B that dominates so much of the charts.
What endures well beyond any comparisons is the strength of the melodies on this collection. The compositions are well formed and laden with simple hooks that gel easily with the supporting music."Stalker" deploys a slinky melody that worms its way between rimshots and muted horns, to an eerily spooky effect. "Black Panther" is another stand out track, a jaunty up-tempo shuffle that Mary J Blige probably wouldn't mind having in her songbook.
Live Tasha's World is an even funkier affair with a full band boasting a real, tight horn section and percussion. They've already built a very strong following - defeating the myth that live urban music is too dependent on technology to offer anything much beyond the two dimensional.
This is a strong debut that augurs very well for home-grown European soul music. One feels sure that the best is yet to come.
Greg Boraman
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Comments
Dina
Tasha's World is Off the chain!
Tahsa
I Think that this is good Because my name is Tasha
joop ,
saw tasha live a couple of times and it was amazing, and the album is a true masterpiece ! a classic
Maryem, Holland
Tasha rocks!! And i'm gonna see her (and her asskicking band) 2morrow, "bevrijdingspop" @ Rotterdam! Ciaooooo
Maarten, Holland
I never heard of here before untill i saw her on MTV. I would've never thought she was dutch. Amazing music :)
Natasha Winkler, JHB South Africa
I saw and heard Tasha for the 1st time at the North Sea Jazz festival in CT this past weekend. I chose her act 'cause we share the same 1st name. She blasted the crowd! I think she's the Shakirra of Reggae, for me. She's found a new fan!!!!
Lisa, London
I've just come back the North Sea Jazz Festival where I saw Tasha's World perform. She is an absolutely incredible performer....really knows how to get a party started. I've now purchased the album and can't put it down...fantastic lyrics, excellent music and great stories - especially Stalker. Love it!
Funky C, Holland
Saw Tasha's World at Soul@theDome with EWF!! Tasha, You made me shiver!! Funky C
Jacs Netherlands
This is what you need if you are in to nu-soul! Great music. I went to a concert in a small center. She realy knows what performance is all about.
FaceCulture
On Saturday the 29th of August the Dutch nu-soul artist Tasha's World performs on the Uitmarkt in Amsterdam. After her gig we will interview the singer from Rotterdam backstage. Since the music of Tasha's World gets a lot of recognition abroad we are planning to do the interview in Dutch and English. If you have any questions you would like to ask Tasha's World go to: http://faceculture.web-log.nl/index.log?ID=19557
Orville, Geneva
Lovely soul. Lovely music. The cd is very listenable and invites you to buy the second one. Splendid Miss Tasha!
THis is HOT
NoN Amsterdam
Yeah she is real good it make me think about some things ..when i listen to some of her songs
Peter Smidt Amsterdam
She has performed several times at many venues in Holland such as the Paradiso and at the Noorderslag EuroSonic festival. It is a great artist and a great album.
hugh,basingstoke
enjoyed the listening experience first time around ,so one would assume the album can only get better.
Mick, Wimbledon
An excellent album, out here at last! Make sure you catch her at the Jazz Cafe on 29th, she was wonderful last time with her 10-piece band. I'll be there!!
Simon Shaw, Camberwell
I have to agree with this review...spot on. I purchased this album last year whilst it was available on an Japanese import. I would regard this album as a classic without any hesitation at all. As a true lover of music and a bigger fan of the nu-soul genre, Tasha's World fits perfectly.
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Tracklist
Tasha's World
So... Ho
Breakfast London Style
She's a Pimp
Black Panther
Nothing Really Matters
Part of My Life
All That's on My Mind
Stalker
You R t - by Greg Boraman
Discography
DISCOGRAPHY
Tashas World (Album 1)
Recorded: 2002 Japan & Europe only
No US release as yet
Genre: Nu Clasic Soul
Label The Klinik Music Productions Ltd
Tasha�s World was the solo debut album from European soul singer Tashas World. It was released May 2002 in Japan. It featured top musicians from across Europe with bass and electric guitar by Andrew Smith who played on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album.
Track list
1. Tasha's World
2. So....Ho
3. Breakfast London Style
4. She's A Pimp
5. Black Panther
6. Nothing Really Matters
7. Part Of My Life
8. All That's On My Mind
9. Stalker
10. You R The Star
11. All Of Me
12. Down & Around
13. Taste Your Love
World Domination (Album 2)
Recorded: 2005
Released The Netherlands & France
No US release as yet
Genre: Nu Clasic Soul
Label: The Klinik Music Productions Ltd
World Domination is the second offering from European soul singer Tashas World. It was released June 6 2006 in France & The Netherlands. It features Top musicians from The UK.
Track list
1. Past Lives
2. Glowing
3. Jah Bless
4. Home Alone
5. Corny Love Song
6. Brown Eyes Blue
7. Move Ya Hips
8. Fed Up
9. Always Change Feat. TY
10. Don't Explain (Cover)
11. What Must I Be
Photos
Bio
Tashas World Biography
Label: The Klinik Music UK (no US deal as yet)
Her lyrics are intense and personal studies of loves twist and turns, a refreshing change from the meaningless and glib R&B that dominates so much of the charts." European 'neo-soul' comes of age. Greg Boraman, BBC.
This album is as much a classic as the debut offerings from Maxwell, D Angelo, Lynden, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Rahsaan Paterson, Eric Benet, India Arie, Dwele in fact, any nu, neo or urban soul act you care to mention. Yep, she certainly stands side by side with these acts, yet Tasha has very much a sound all of her own .Quite simply, if you have an ounce of soulfulness in your blood, this album has to be in your collection BIGGER, Blues & Soul
Her name gives you a clue as to what you should expect from this exciting native of The Netherlands. A world based around herself and her unique sound, her artist name is "Tashas World" and anyone who contributes towards the growth of this project becomes a member of her World. She brings to the crazy world of music, freshness and positive musical energy, full of innovation and fun. This young lady is ready to share her soul with you and we want you to join us in "Tashas World".
Living between London and Rotterdam, this young lady started singing before she could even speak. Her musical influences include greats such as Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, Anita Baker & Curtis Mayfield to name but a few. Her musical journey has been one of continuous growth. In 2002 Tashas World signed to The Klinik Music Productions who are proud to have a genuine quality artist such as Tashas World representing European Soul music! TW is an accomplished singer/songwriter and this is evident when you listen to her intense thought-provoking lyrics. She has written the large majority of her songs but is not afraid to open up to other writers who understand her style and who she is. Almost all of the songs are written on the same day of recording so this can truly be called organic soul.
Her musical journey has seen her perform to thousands of people around the world. South Africa (North Sea Jazz) in Cape Town, North Sea Jazz in The Netherlands, SOB'S New York, Eritrea for the United Nations, Sofia Jazz Peak in Bulgaria, Jazz Cafe London on three occasions. Her first album was released in Japan before it had a European release such is the way of music that even in her own country they had to import the album from Japan. One of her first live performance under her UK management was a was at the Jill Scott official after party at The Paradiso in Amsterdam on 22/23 February, 2002. Jill Scott stood and watched with disbelief, Jill Scott sang along and clapped after every track. When the show was over she screamed "More, More" and waited to greet Tashas World after the show since then she had performed at over 150 concerts around the world.
At beginning of the 2003, Echoes Magazine voted the Tasha�s World album as one of its Top 25 Of The Year. It also voted the track Stalker from the album as one of its Top 10 Tracks of the Year. In addition to this, the album was also voted by Chris Wells, Editor of Echoes magazine as one of his Top Five Albums of the Year. The album was also voted by Dave Cee of www.soul24-7.com online radio station, as his Album of the Year. All of this and these people had to import the album from Japan.
Following these accolades saw the debut performance of Tashas World at Londons Jazz Cafe on 29th January 2003. The night was completely sold out and received excellent reviews. Following the success of her UK debut, Tashas World was asked to perform again at the Jazz Cafe on 29th June by special request.
In May 2003 Tashas World and her production company The Klinik Music Productions became the proud winners of the prestigious Nat West EMMA Award 2003 (Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards) for the category Best World Music Act/Production. This event was broadcast on BBC2 and produced by TOP THE POPS Chris Cowey. She was also asked to perform at the official launch party for the event held at The Victoria & Albert Museum.
In June 2003, the critically acclaimed album Tashas World was released on UK independent soul label Dome Records. The album finally on sale at a reasonable price, where a DJ did not have to pay 30.00 pounds for a copy of the album on import from Japan! With a release date of 16th June 2003, Holland saw the long-awaited release of her album where the Dutch music bible magazine The Oor said, Tashas World is one of the best albums to come out of Holland ever.
The past few years has seen Tashas World receive a Nat West Emma Award (UK), a Silver Harp (NL), The Essent Award (NL) and rave reviews in some of the most respected international music magazines. An upcoming performance for the world-renowned charity War Child, a publishing contract signed with Chrysalis Music and so much more. The future for Tashas World is defini
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