Algeria music reviews

This is an awsome CD that goes beyond the usual repertoire of North African music coming out of the immigrant communities in Europe. Baaziz'z lyrics are so incredibly vibrant and manage to generate a beautiful harmony between Algerian Arabic (Darija) and the French language. The music styles are also tremendously rich and incorporate elements from sub saharan Africa, North African traditional music, Andalusian Music and Latin American music. I came across Baaziz'z song Algerie mona amour ( a tribute to Algeria recorded with the best artists of the country) quite accidently and I immediately started looking for more music by him. If you are looking for exciting and refreshing music give Baaziz a try. He deserves a lot more praise than this rushed review can give him at this time. Enjoy!

What words can be used to express my feelings about Rachid Taha's "Made in Medina" ? Inovative, Brilliant, Genius, Amazing, Out of this world, Perceptive, a Production Masterpiece, a Masterpiece in general. Listening to 'Made in Medina' is like having a sonic orgasm; his voice screams passion and his music refuses to be denied.

Many consiter him just another RAI artist, but I dont think it is fair to just lable him as such. This CD hits levels of orginality that hasnt been seen since albums by artists such as Kate Bush, Dead Can Dance, or Ekova. Sure, the Genres are different, but the inovative touch isn't. Good music is good music.

Yes, the music is definately Middle Eastern, but it fuses a touches of Rock, Electronics, Pop; a natural power driven collection of songs.
I think one of the key assets to his songs that just make it what they are is the raw nature of his voice in General. There is something in his voice that distinguishes him from the rest of the RAI singers. Sure you might confuse one Middle Eastern singer with another as they all have that same tone and sound to their voice, but when you hear Rachid, there is no doubt about who he is. Truely, an orgional.

Though every song is amazing in their own right, my personal favourites are the tribal driven "Gareb", the rocked out north african "Barra Barra" (Some might know it from Black Hawk Down), and the passionate "Ala Jalkoum".
"En Retard", "Aie Aie Aie" and "Medina" are some other songs I really like as follows.

In conclusion, this collection that is "Made in Medina" will delight and regain your faith that music still, and can be original and not everything has been done yet.

This is a remarkably rich and varied record that resists hasty pigeon-holing. It's not just for the "World Music" shelf, that's for sure. Pressed, I'd file it under "Masterpieces".

I've had it since shortly after its release, listen to it often, and never tire of it. The cuts are loosely connected by the themes of voodoo and trance and there's an evident progression as they succeed one another. The opening songs ('Barra Barra', 'Foqt Foqt','Medina') appear to deal with urban angst and disillusionment and they are delivered with an irresistible rock bludgeoning. Gradually, more traditional North African elements assert themselves ('Qalantiqa' and 'En Retard') culminating in the literally breath-taking 'Garab' which the liner notes rightly calls "an invitation to enter into a trance ..." Lyrics are in Arabic and French with the exception of a few verses sung by Femi Kuti in 'Ala Jalkoum', but the liner notes include a few lines from each song in both French and English. The production by Steve Hillage is extraordinary, demonstrating as always in his work with Taha, enormous respect for both the power of the electric sounds and the discrete texture of the acoustic instruments. Those who are put off by Taha's somewhat gruff voice (see reviews of his previous solo record 'Diw�n') will not find it changed and those who have acquired a taste for it will rejoice that it hasn't. I love this record.

I am always amazed at Warda's voice and musicality, and she does a particularly fantastic job in this cd. I highly recommend it.

A lot of rai releases by a singer or a band or even compilations by producer tend to be a little same-sounding (to Western ears?) as you get into the 8th or 11th track, which sometimes creates the impression that rai is not very deep as a genre. This collection puts the lie to that particular idea. Covering a wide range of artists and 15-or-so years, these four discs will provide you with musical revelations for months, if not years. You may not like every song on it, but after listening for awhile you will better understand why you like what you do like. A history lesson, rai appreciation course and dance party in one package.

If you tire of the overtly Western-sounding faux rai, or if you're new to rai music, this might be the definitive rai collection. If you can't get enough of the late Rachid Baba's production genius, look no further (he did the first track on disc 2, as an example, and a few others in this set). Despite the horrible opening track on disc 1 by Cheb Mami, which was featured in the film "American Cuisine," there's not a single bummer. The hypnotic, cheap-drum-machine, Casio-esque grooves are intact and as funky as ever. Some of the songs here can be found, rerecorded, on other compilations, but these here are the best versions. Especially good are the tracks by Cheb Khaled (recorded before he sold out), Chaba Zahouania (my favorite rai artist), Bellemou Messaoud, and Cheb Kamel el Oujdi (love that drum programming!). However, some classic rai (before synthesizers) can be found, but those tracks are great as well, especially the second track on the first disc (what songwriting!). Prepare to be amazed.

istart lisining to khaled since i was 12 and now i 'm 20 and ican't help my self stop buing his albums i wish he could sing in egyptian accent like his hit with amr diab or one of my french poems

Nagham El Hawa: Best of Warda is a must for any Warda fan!! This is 2 CD set with many of her popular songs such as harraml ahebbak, ya saeedy, batwans beek, and nar el ghera to name a few. Warda has a wonderfully emotional and powerful voice that adds to the meaning of the songs. Whether you are a bellydancer looking for good music to dance to or a music listener yearning for those heart wrenching love songs to listen to, I highly recommend this 2 CD set.

All hail Amazon.com for making this fantastic CD available to the US market! Saoud Massi is a bright young French Algerian singer now living in Montmartre. Her guitar work, her voice, her songs themselves have set her apart on the folk roots, world music scene as an artist to be reckoned with. By comparison, her North American sisters pale as poseurs, be they Alicia Keyes, Idia.Arie or the shrill or self consciously poetic songwhiners. This is a woman with something to say and the sophistication to get it across.

Like Rokia Traore and Huong Thanh, she is infused with the wealth and the subtleties of her culture, yet confidant enough to advance its treasures through her own voice. The crack musicianship surrounding her is absolutely perfect on every tune. This is the kind of soul and spirit that Bonnie Raitt summoned early on, and you'll find with Massi that she has that same sense of strength, passion, vulnerability and resolve to be her own woman. Songs are in French, but there is that Middle Eastern smokiness to the vocals, a sensual and ... line to the guitar work, and a rhythmic intensity to the bottom end that makes this music get under you, inside you, possess you. Miles once said he made music for "copulating", in all its sensual and spiritual ramifications, and so is this.

Absolutely, purchase this CD. I first heard a tune from this on a sampler from fROOTS magazine, an absolutely essential publication for anyone whose need for genuine music exceeds what is programmed in North America. With one deft release, Saoud Massi has made the sirens of the US record industry totally and categorically irrelevant. This is music that matters. Get it.

As a longtime lover of jazz, blues and western classical music I thought I was also pretty knowledgable about African and Middle Eastern music until I bought this book. This has introduced me to many artists and musics that I would not have looked at before. This is not just an amazing book to help you choose which albums to buy (and I have yet to seriously disagree with any of its recommendations)but it is also a wonderful general read about the history, background and politics of the music as well. Put this on your shelf and dip into it whenever you feel depressed about world politics - it will renew your faith in human creativity.

What should expect from this CD ? The performers are Muslim nomads from the Sahara, of the black Touareg tribes.
The form is simple. Each track starts with a few seconds of quiet. Then an instrument starts playing softly. On the "Ahllil" track it is a wooden flute, on the "Tarragabt" tracks it is a low pitched, plucked stringed instrument. Then the voice of the leader begins to sing religious inspired verses, in what seems to be an ancient North African singing style. The group answers his phrases. After a few minutes the leader and the group join, the rhythm picks up, and the track is finished with a sign from the leader.
This is a treasure of what is almost a lost form of art. It has a lot of beauty and is deeper than any modern western pop-art. The CD is a must for collectors of North African music, and may be appreciated by others who are interested in musical traditions of Asia and/or Africa.

Very interesting phenomenon in Arab music. But... this CD is almost worthless. It you are interested in Massi, BUY the Albom DEB instead. Her work is interesting melange between Arabic and Euopean influences.

Most Definetely buy the albom DEB, you WILL enjoy it immensely. Guaranted!

If you are interested in modern classical arabic music, consider
Lebanese singer Fairuz, another terrific experience.

For old classical tradition consider Egyptian Oum Khalsum

Again, you have to experience her music, but not through this CD

This is the second album I have heard by the reknown Souad Massi (of Algeria). This was actually her first major release in the United States (2001). "Raoui" ("Storyteller" in Arabic) is a mix of acoustic accompaniment, expressive rock and soulful duets.

While "Deb" (her 2004 release), is more of a fusion piece (done masterfully and with great energy), "Raoui" is rooted more in the traditional and haunting sounds of Algeria. We hear the melodious guitar introduction and then Souad's soaring vocals. In some ways, the tone of her voice is comparable to Shakira (without the edge). She sounds like she is trying to choke back the tears and cry out in sweet release. Great examples of her musical interpretation are on the title track, "Noir Et Blanc" ("Black and White" in French--a duet with Ismael Lo), "J'ai pas de temps" ("I Don't Have the Time"/French), and "Lamen" ("Trust" in Arabic).

More English speakers should get to know this underrated and underappreciated vocalist from North Africa. This is a great introduction to the world of contemporary Algerian ballads, rock and gorgeous musical arrangements.

This is a reissue of her chart topping first release, with three extra bonus tracks, two of which are pleasent surprises, while the third is an editied version of a previously recorded song.
What distinguishes Massi from many other 'World' music artists is her beautiful voice..It is simply heavenly, strong and full of emotions, while the music is truly universal. It is a blend of oriental and folk a la Tracy Chapman,with a touch of rock and reggae.The mood of the CD is mellow, and Massi shows her obvious talent at writing songs that are intimate, and very accessible.
Massi like many Algerian artists living in France, sings with a lot of passion for her country,lamenting the war,(Bledi) but also offers the listener very personal songs about her roots,(Raoui) about love,(Hayati) illusions,(Denya and Awham) betrayal (Khsara Alek, Nekrah Alkeb) and longing,(the sweet lullybye (Matibkeech) .
The reissue has a duet with the excellent Ismael Lo, recording the brillaint Bernard Lavillier song Noir et Blanc, as well as duet with Marc Lavoine, singing his own song Paris, and adding a lot of spirit to it.
In short, you have to BUY this CD if you really like a music that is very original, sensitive, and fresh, and even if you do not understand the words, I am sure Massi's voice will carry each word like music that will touch you every single time.