I don’t know what French sisters Celia and Helene Faussart of Les Nubians have been doing in the years between the release of their well-received 1998 debut disc Princesses Nubiennes and the recently released One Step Forward (Omtown), but something tells me they’ve been listening to some of the nu-soul divas. How else to explain the out-of-place rap by Talib Kweli on the wonderful ‘Temperature Rising’? Dear Celia and Helene, that kind of hip-hop hubris never fails to weigh down a song. Remember, sisters are doing for themselves! That’s really a minor complaint since the rest of the album is so enjoyable. It’s hard to disagree with the ‘I Want Music (All The Time’ sentiment of ‘J’veux d’la musique (tou le temps),’ and war has never sounded as beautiful as it does on ‘La Guerre.’ An island vibe also blows through on ‘El Son Reggae,’ ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ and ‘Me & Me.’ For the sheer beauty of Les Nubians voices, take a listen to ‘Amour a mort’ and ‘Saravah.’
Depending on how you feel about the chill-out spirit of lounge music, you can either bless or blame the European musical community, because, as the press release for the various artists Euro Lounge (Putumayo) compilation states, ‘home to some of the world’s most revered DJs and a thriving electronica scene, Europe is the source for the latest trends in chill-out and down tempo music.’ That said, this diverse compilation does succeed in introducing the listener to a varied selection of heavily accented tunes that set and maintain an intercontinental mood. S-Tone Inc.’s ‘Limbe’ (from Italy) has a distinctive Middle Eastern sway, while Mambotur’s aptly named ‘Salpica’ is a spicy bit of Chilean and Germanic collaboration. Also hailing from Italia, Daniele Silvestri’s ‘Semore Di Domenica’ recalls ’60s Euro-pop with a drum’n bass beat. From Spain, ‘El Ultimo Habitante Del Planeta,’ is an out of this world contribution by Mastretta and Arling & Cameron’s ‘Voulez-vous?,’ from the Netherlands, should in no way be confused with the Abba song with a similar title.