ISHTAR
Truly: Daf Hadash (Atoll/Sony Music France)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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If anyone can claim to have international music credentials, it's Ishtar: she's of Israeli-Egyptian-Morrocan-Spanish roots. Not a bad combination at all judging by her picture, but she's a helluva a singer too, having been guided in early years by her Egyptian grandmother, who was also a popular singer. It's no wonder that as the lead vocalist of Alabina she's already sold over a million records, mostly in Europe and the Mediterranean.

Produced in her current home, France, Truly is Ishtar's first solo album. The production was handled by Ishtar and Francis Maggiulli with a classy, professional flair. Featuring hot rhythms that sound like they've blown in on a desert sirocco, the arrangements are a completely engaging blend of traditional flamenco, gypsy and Middle Eastern elements with a mainstream pop sensibility. Refreshingly, it's a very sensual and mature pop sensibility -- it's clear we're not dealing with another Shakira here.

My only problem with Truly is that I don't understand enough of the lyrics. They are mostly Hebrew, Arabic and French, but in a way that's actually Ishtar's strength. Could anyone else attempt an album with both Hebrew and Arabic on it? Probably not, and that's part of the meaning of Truly, a message of peace.

Fortunately for us monolingual types two songs are in English, "C'est La Vie Baby" and "Last Kiss." "Last Kiss" is slower and more torchy than Truly's other cuts and Ishtar's voice is incredibly moving here, nothing short of hypnotic.

Truly is a great showcase for a magnificent talent and it should put Ishtar on people's radar over here. Watch out, her next one is supposed to be in English and I'm betting Ishtar will be making her mark in a big way.

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes