The star quality, creative vision and authentic voice that emanate from singer-songwriter Chantal Chamandy introduces a true original to the music world. Born in the radiant port city of Alexandria, Egypt--the rich cultural hub on the river Nile whose lore includes tales of Alexander the Great, Cleopatra and other legendary queens of ancient Egyptian dynasties—Chamandy's exotic charms and sensuous melodies shimmer with the mystic heritage of her birthplace. Based in Montreal since childhood, Chantal's unique fusion of the romance of her ancestral roots with the cosmopolitan beats of the city in which she now resides is at the heart of her alluring musical signature.

 

Chantal Chamandy's art, like her spirit, knows no boundaries, and global audiences are now discovering her intriguing multi-cultural magic. Chamandy's powerful debut album LOVE NEEDS YOU had a smashing world premiere with a gala release party at the famed London club Momo. The disc's lead single, “You Want Me,” became a Top 5 fixture on the U.K. dance charts for the remainder of last year, and in early 2006 experienced a Top 4 “breakout” on Billboard's U.S. dance chart. The definitive British publication Evening Standard crowned her “Jewel of the Nile.”

 

Throughout its fourteen tracks, LOVE NEEDS YOU's sensual sounds are brilliant reflections of Chantal's enchanting artistic and personal story. Fluent in five languages, Chantal is clearly equally well-versed in the language of love, and her songs run the full emotional spectrum, elevated with lyrics that are as universal as they are intimate. The album's sonic tapestry is also influenced by Chamandy's extensive studies in musical theater, stage and film acting, choreography, dancing (classical and belly…), and operatic voice under the tutelage of Carmen Mehta. It is a debut opus charged with passion and intelligence, as heady, colorful and exciting as the artist herself.

 

The breakout single “ Y ou Want Me” is one of seven tracks on LOVE NEEDS YOU that Chamandy composed with the Bangladesh-born, Indian music master Subir Dev (“Josh,” “Blue Bombay”), her frequent collaborator . A tantalizing fusion of his Indian tablahs and her Middle Eastern influences and global sensibilities, “You Want Me” is a sensation on the dance floor. It charges the atmosphere from its exotic opening refrains through its sweeping tableau of vocal and rhythmic embellishment.

 

In describing her songs with respect to different aspects of romance and interpersonal communication, Chantal calls “You Want Me” “the game.” “ Men and women enjoy the game, especially when one can win,” says Chantal. “Playing the game is when both parties are playing to win the same thing. There's a certain amount of intrigue that makes the game more fun, more seductive. Everyone I know has played some kind of game whether they know it or not.”

 

The impact of “You Want Me” was so immediate and widespread that it has already been remixed by GRAMMY-award winning producer Brian Rawling (Cher's “ Believe”), Miami based turntable stars Lee-Cabrera (“ Shake It”), The Bilz and top Latin club/hot mix show DJ Norty Cotto ( Ricky Martin, Anastacia, Nina Sky ). All are designed to compliment Chamandy's U.S. album release on Ninemuse Records in summer 2006.

 

Other favorite tracks from LOVE NEEDS YOU include the hot-blooded “ Crazy,” which opens with a sultry kiss of French lyrics, Chamandy's first language. “Sometimes a good thing, sometimes not, crazy is an amazing word that we seem to use for just about everything,” says Chantal. “Crazy about you, I'm going crazy, are you crazy?, you're crazy--we should lock you up! I like it when you ‘go crazy,' when you show emotion! I think we all have a little craziness. It depends on how much you decide to unleash.”

 

The beautiful “ Peace” describes, “ what we all wish for daily, personally, for family, for the world and for all mankind,” says Chantal. On the vibrant “ Music Of The Moon,” she explains, “This evokes the kind of love we discover on vacation that we should probably experience more often, a sense of freedom to express ourselves and get rid of all inhibitions – a moment of vulnerability because we are listening to our hearts."

 

The thoroughly passionate duet “ Feels Like Love” spotlights the magical guitar and spirited vocals of Chico Castillo, formerly of the Gipsy Kings, on a stand-out track that explores the meanings and misconceptions of love. The British publication Evening Standard wrote, “ Chantal mixes East and West to emerge as a strutting talent who exudes both breathy sensuality and vocal control worthy of Celine Dion."

 

Several songs feature foreign language titles and lyrics wrapped around Chantal's lyrical grace. In Spanish, “ Nunca Sera Igual” (never be the same) is about a tragically unfulfilled love, while “ Amor de Mi Vida” (love of my life) is dedicated to Chantal's husband, “my best friend, lover and confidante.” The album opener “ Zindegi,” which means “life” in an Indian dialect, is based on a true story of a woman's decision to reject an arranged marriage to be with her true love. It ethereally invites listeners in before it snaps into bracing pop. “ Salma Ya Salama” is a half-French, half-Arabic rendition of a traditional Arabian song, closing LOVE NEEDS YOU with perfect flourish.

 

The varied textures that twist through LOVE NEEDS YOU reflect both Chantal Chamandy's exotic Alexandrian origins and the many other cultures and styles that she has claimed as part of her singular artistic vision. Smother.net wrote, “Chantal's sound is genuine and rare.” With its original blend of world influences and emotional truths, her music is that and more. “ You Want Me,” the track that started it all and has made her a rising star, couldn't be more fittingly titled.