Natacha Atlas

Ana Hina may be, finally, Natacha Atlas' great statement. In choosing an organic, orchestral backing, Atlas gains some of the gravitas that has eluded her as a singer: even her cover of "Black Is the Colour" easily trumps her embarrassing "I Put a Spell on You" off 2001's Ayeshteni. In fact, these songs are deeply interesting, dipping their toes in French chanson and jazz, setting a Frida Kahlo poem to music here, quietly echoing a Mitch Ryder riff there. And Atlas explores her lower vocal range as well, a much-needed migration that grounds this album as never before.