Five Albums

In recent years Natacha Atlas has significantly changed musical direction and now stands on the threshold of venerable diva status. However, if you part the beaded curtain and travel back 20 years, she was a true fusion pioneer and one of the hippest things on the dance floor. This box-set reissue of her first five CDs is a delightful opportunity to revisit the early solo years and take stock of just what an intriguing and creative force she has been. These vintage albums show real development – from the heavy dub of Diaspora to the rockier Gedida, from Ayeshteni's flirtation with Cairo pop and the dance hall grooves of Something Dangerous – and each is a captivating mix of beautiful, catchy, danceable and occasionally left-field songs. Atlas’ magpie method of choosing collaborators always lends unexpected colour to her arrangements; that the next track could bring an Egyptian orchestra, Harvey Brough playing psaltery or a guest appearance from Sinead O'Connor is one of the defining charms of her recordings.

However, it is the magnificent presence of former Transglobal Underground colleagues that really defines her early work. Their seriously fun approach to making music is something that she has yet to adequately replace. This package is currently available for a few pennies more than 13 quid: you'd be daft not to get it.