A woman’s steamy, seductive voice snakes slowly between, above and around hand drum rhythms and tinges of Middle Eastern and South American instrumentation, luring you into richly exotic dreamscapes. This sonic seduction is Altounji’s specialty. Born in Canada to Syrian parents, Altounji’s creations are an homage to her ancestors’ musical roots: she evokes her great-grandfather’s oud and her grandmother’s piano. Her music is also a love letter to the places she’s travelled; South American flourishes harken to Ecuador and Peru. This multi-instrumentalist sings in French, English, Spanish and Arabic. It is clear Altounji is focussed and driven, always fine-tuning her many crafts. Though her music travels through contrasting soundscapes, Altounji’s lyrics are consistently adorned with anti-war, pro-justice messages of solidarity, peace, and freedom from violence, with the song “Marcha de Flores” being a feminist and equal rights musical collaboration with Peruvian poet/dancer Marcia Castro Gamarra. The stirring accompanying music video’s release coincided with International Women’s Day. In uniting her many personal, musical and cultural influences, Altounji also brings listeners together with a universal hope and longing for a world united.

— Chantal Vitalis