Overall impressions seem to be the place to start in this particular case, especially since the only thing in English is a translation of the song names. In tiny letters on the back of the CD it says to file it under Morocco. A few songs do remind me of what music from Morocco might sound like, but it's a very eclectic mix of music. Because I know only enough French and Spanish to be dangerous, there is no way I would even attempt to guess what the songs are about except from the English translated Titles. I know I hear some of both languages on this album, but I'm only catching a word here and there.

Having said all that, this is a very enjoyable album. There's quite a variety of styles included, although some songs have a tendency to get entirely too repetitious. Because I have satellite rather than cable TV, I get a "World" channel that not only plays videos from all over the world, but also news, documentaries and a variety of other International programming. I've seen so many videos from Brazil, France, Ireland and many African countries, I know repetition is very pronounced in a lot of international songs. At least to my ears, the majority of it is upbeat, happy and intriguing. If you've ever been curious to hear a TRUE World Music album, this is a good one to start with. 

On the first track, "Ne me juges pas - Don't Judge Me," the interaction between the vocalist, the instruments and beat kind of don't jive with the title in my mind, but what do I know! There are many types of instruments (which I can't identify) on this song with a beat that sort of reminds me of reggae, but that's not it. As with most songs here, there is a part that is distinctly recognizable as Middle Eastern because of a ululating vocal in the background and an instrument that sounds like the Oud.

"Ya Mra - Oh Lady" starts with percussion and then adds trumpets and a ska kind of beat. This is a slower song than the first one, with some really good harmonies. The language is also unrecognizable to me here, but there is a lot of back of the throat harshness and clicks.

The title track, "Donia," which translates to "Life," starts with keyboards and all kinds of other instruments including strings and the oud. The ever present beat is also very noticeable. The chorus is repeated many times, but the lushness of the instrumentals accompanying the vocal, very easily indicates the theme of "Life." On the next song, even the English translation doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but it reads "Ness - People, Featuring Natacha Atlas." I think the last part is the name of the female vocalist featured on the chorus and harmonies. This song is again very reliant on percussion, but it's much faster than the previous songs and has an unmistakable Middle Eastern sound.

"Le Soleil De Ma Vie - The Sunshine Of My Life" was one title I could actually read because it leans toward the little French I know. Slowing things down again, this song relies a lot on various types of strings, along with keyboards and lots of percussion. "L'Hagra - Abandoned" starts out with very melancholy strings and reliance on the oud with a different type if beat than previous tracks until it goes into an instrumental bridge. The vocalist is also very emotional in his delivery. The title of this song is very much reflected in the music.

Again emphasizing percussion is "Andalucia - Andalucia Featuring Chico Cana." This particular song features lots of trumpets, horn instruments and acoustic guitars and has a more Spanish sound to me than any of the others.

For some reason it reminds of Matadors and Bull Fighting. It's also the song I enjoy the most on the album. "Mama - Mother (hey, a mom is a mom in any language!)" is up next. Starting with percussion, castanets and beautiful strings, this track has a very eclectic sound and feel. There's a bit of Middle Eastern, French, African and what is probably native Moroccan music brought together.

"Zmane y Dore - The Wheel Turns" starts with many types of percussion in double time, with strings and oud layered over it. The vocal is only half the speed of the instrumentals until it gets into the verse. The oddness of the instrumentals not really jiving with the vocal give this track a twist.