Natacha Atlas'
Something Dangerous is a bit slicker than her last, lightening up the beats and sexy intensity of
Ayeshteni for more radio-friendly pop electronics, occasional vocal harmonies reminiscent of
Destiny's Child, and lots of guests. Not that you could tell from the first cut, the gorgeous "Adam's Lullaby," on which she's backed by a gently playing
Prague Symphony Orchestra string section. After this peaceful opener, the pace picks up with the dancehall-style "Eye of the Duck," featuring fellow
Transglobal Underground member Tuup. Then the title cut gets a little funky while
Atlas trades off vocal duties with the rapping Princess Julianna. A little later,
Atlas takes on "Man's World." While her voice is lovely for it, the cover doesn't quite recapture the magic of her last album's success with
Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas" and
Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You." The collaboration with
Sinéad O'Connor, "Simple Heart," is a high point, and the album really hits its stride in the songs that follow, with especially good interaction between
Atlas and
Niara Scarlett on "Who's My Baby," before mellowing out into closing ambient cuts.