by SCOTT C

When you sift through the rich musical tapestries woven by Montreal's Neema, you immediately realize that she is drawing influences from a variety of places, and making them all part of her focused and original sound. Born in Montreal of Egyptian and Lebanese parents, Neema has been immersed in creating poetry, writing about love, life, loss and everything that surrounds us, ever since she was a child.

Collaborating with Montreal musician François Turgeon since 2002, Neema now combines her world of poetry with spoken word, singing and music, and can be found in and around Montreal performing songs from her new album Masi, scheduled for release in February. Neema's music echoes her extensive travels, reflecting considerable time spent in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and India. In 1999 she lived in Egypt, exploring her roots in the best possible way by studying classical guitar with Mohammed Emad El-Edin and receiving voice training from Titie Sid Ahmed.

Upon her return to Canada, she took a job in the Canadian North as band manager for an aboriginal community called Wekweti (Snare Lake), and it was this experience that inspired much of what Masi is comprised of. Much of the album was recorded in the Northwest Territories with the help of Norm Glowach and the local musicians from Spiritwalker Productions, while the balance was completed right here in Montreal at DNA studios. Look for Neema in 2005 when she gets ready to spread her talented wings for all to see, and embarks on a new musical journey right here at home.