Atlas Soul is a band performing original music that celebrates Afro-Mediterranean culture and rhythm spiced with Jazz and Funk. "Atlas Soul's blend of jazz, funk and Middle-Eastern/Arabic grooves is a fascinating sonic stew that will catch any listener's ear. This is their second appearance on our CD's compilation. We like'em, and you will too". Global Rhythm Magazine Atlas Soul live performances are hypnotique and often get the audience in a dancing trance! They have played venues such as The Montreal Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, The Festival International de Louisiane, The Houston International Festival, The Musikfest, The FNX/Boston Phoenix Jazz Series at the Hatch Shell, The Festival international Nuits d’Afrique (Montreal) The Boston Globe Jazz Festival, The Steppin’Out Festival, MASS MoCA , Les Francofolies de Montreal, and many more…They have been booked on the same bill and shared the stage with international artist such as Lady Smith Black Mombazo, Thomas Mapfumo, Gigi, Alpha Blondy, Hassan Hakmoun, Baba Maal and Cheb Nasro to name just a few. “What hits hardest about Atlas Soul’s sound is the natural funk of North African music and also powerful vocals, which span fluid, passionate Gnawa melodies and husky Raï hooks. There is great wisdom in a world-music outfit that embraces divergent genres (but not so many that the sound loses its identity)" writes World Music journalist Banning Eyre They have released 3 CDs and have a new 3 songs EP “Maktoub” (Destine) coming-up that already is Independent Music Awards Finalist 2008 (with the song Ana Weyak / You and Me) Their 2006 5 songs EP release: MABROUKA (blessings) received rave acclaims: Independent Music Awards 2007 Vox Populi Winners (world fusion) Independent Music Awards 2007 Finalist (with the song: L'amour en banlieue) 11th Annual Unisong International Song Contest (2007) Finalist (with the song: L'amour en banlieue) Billboard World SONG CONTEST (2007) Honorable Mention (with the song: L'amour en banlieue) Global Rhythm magazine Song Contest Winners (2006) (with the song: L'amour en banlieue) Canary Islands International Song Contest Finalist (2006) (with the song: Quiere me y veras) They are Boston Music Awards Nominees (Outstanding World Music Act) 2000,2001, 2002, 2006 & 2007 The new song “Mahmouma” is selected to be included in the Music For Peace compilation CD. The song “SOLE” is released by PETROL RECORDS/EMI world wide in 9/07 on a compilation called "Arabia, The Greatest Songs Ever" “L'Amour En Banlieue” appeared on the Global Rhythm’s compilation CD 8/06 (that reaches 120,000 readers each month) along with songs from artist such as Asha Bhosle, Ska Cubano & Salif Keita. "Angelo Mio" appeared on the Global Rhythm’s CD compilation 10/06 along with songs from artist such as T. Jobim, Marisa Monte, Lee Ritenour, Gal Costa & Tania Maria “Mabrouka” was also selected to be used on the Rock n Cookin’ Kitchen - TV Show. The show is currently in production and will be broadcast on DATV via Time Warner Cable Channel 20 Dayton and 19 MVCC. They will also expand to include Chicago and California in the near future. Winners of the Independent Music Awards 2004 in the World Fusion category with the song: YaWillie (from the full lenght first album: Chamsa) Atlas Soul incorporates many genres: Raï, Funk, Shaabi, Jazz, Afrobeat, Jungle, Socca, Reggae, Gnawa & Samba. "It might sound a bit ambitious but it comes to us very naturally," Jacques Pardo, leader of the band explains. Atlas Soul sings in Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew and English, making it not only a truly World Music band, but probably one of the only group of this kind currently residing in the United States of America. The lyrics speak of love, natural wonders, oppression, poverty, and of the melancholy of immigrants longing for their homelands. Their motto is world-music-for-world-peace. Philosophically and politically, Atlas Soul hopes to inspire world peace through a fusion of music and culture that gets people to the dance floor. For more information and review copies of their latest "Mabrouka!" CD, or to be on their mailing list please contact Jacques Pardo at 617 923 9957 or email him at jacques@atlas-soul.com websites: http://www.atlas-soul.com A little history about us: "Atlas Soul formed in 2000, when the remaining members of two bands in transition — Cosmos Factor and Casablanca 6/8 — merged. In the mid’ 90s Cosmos Factor were one of the few exemplary world-music bands in town- that is, they played a true hybrid, incorporating the sounds of the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean into a cohesive, multi-lingual whole. Neither new-age watery or jam-band wanky, it was disciplined, driving, world-funk dance music. Casablanca 6/8 were an all-Moroccan jazz-fusion band that Lotfi Tiken started with his brother Majid in 1989.The Tiken brothers guested on Cosmos’s 1995 release, We All Live in a Jungle, and Cosmos factor front-guy Jacques Pardo guested on Casablanca’s 1996 release, Listen brother".writes World Music journalist Banning Eyre in the Boston Phoenix. In 2004 the band was completely revamped (musicians like to travel and move...) and since had 3 reincarnations. Some ex-Atlas Soul musicians to be noted: Bahim Fribgane (Hassan Hakmoun, Club d'Elf, Leni Stern just to name a few..) the late awesome bass player Scott Palmer (John Brown's Body, DJ Logic). Since 2006 Atlas Soul features Moroccan Raï lead singer Anwar Souini, Italian folk and Jazz vocalist Angela Rossi, Lebanese singer Nadwa Al Rifai, Cuban singer and percussionist Alan Perez and Moroccan vocalist, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Boujemaa Razgui. The horn section is composed of my old friend the amazing musician Jon Simmons on trombone (and guitar) and me Jacques Pardo on sax (and guitar) Last but not least one of the most solid & soulful rhythm section I have ever played with features Tim Paul Weiner on bass and Jason Kenyon on drums (Tim and Jason have been playing together for well over 10 years). Also on bass & oud (when he is not touring with Simon Shaeen) Walid Zairi and Jon Bailey on drums. To listen to Atlas Soul recording: "Live" please visit us at http://www.atlas-soul.com WORLD MUSIC for WORLD PEACE !