Algeria music reviews

This relatively unknown group should publish more recordings! Several tracks would make interesting dance routines - some are great for zils. Even if you don't dance, these intricate rythyms, the accomplished musicianship, and a variety of beats will keep everyone interested!

Abdelli is a Kabyle, a Berber from Algeria. He is currently living in Brussels, Belgium. This album is, as far as I know, his only offering on record. I consider this to be a prime example of traditional music at its best; rooted, but not provincial. It is also quite different from Arab music. Abdelli taught himself to play the "mandole", a typically Algerian mandoline-like instrument. He's not really a virtuoso, but his instrumental talents serve his art perfectly. Moreover, he is the lucky owner of one of the most haunting voices ever heard on record. Some of his songs have a mantra-like quality, others are very upbeat (there is even a football song !) If you have a weakness for remarkable voices, you should definitely check out this album.

If you're one of those people who feel that Realworld releases are a tad overproduced, you'll be happy to read that this record is the exception that proves the rule.

Personally, I'm a bit surprised how little interest this album has generated, since it is certainly one of the most interesting and original records on Realworld.

The Rough Guide to Rai is the music of modern Algeria: politically-charge lyrics layered amongst Arabic instruments and beat-driven pop. You can think of it as the north African equivalent to reggae, unencumbered by the need to stick to 4:4 rhythms.

The music ranges in sound from dancey pop to sweeping Egyptian orchestrals to breathy, intricate taqsims. The rhythms always take over, though.

Once again, the Rough Guide series has put together an excellent compilation. This is a perfect introduction to the genre, although I can't help but notice the absence of Rachid Taha.

yeah, ok, my cats like everything, this is a very musical household, but seriously, they were getting a little bored of the same old arabesque cd's and were ready for something a little edgy and bold. this cd certainly fit the bill. the music is hard, biting, and yet retains it's uniqueness and rhthym. it reflects it's moroccan and arabic influences, but has a slight central asian feel to it that really makes it interesting. if you've ever considered stepping just outside the box, then the music of algeria is certainly worth a listen. my cats would definitely agree.

I just bought this CD along with a bunch of other and I absolutely love it. It's great for belly dancing too as well as just listening to while you're doing housework.

This album is a splendid way to get into Rye music. Sting's hit single performance with Cheb Mami sparks interest, and the rest of the more obscure (in America, that is) tracks are all beautiful. Fun gift for somebody who is learning French (Maghreb music is often sung in French,) or just seeking out some more exotic music. Also, fabulously sultry dancing music!

I truly enjoy this album and disagree with those who do not feel it was worth the investment. Definitely a great introduction to Arabic cross-over music for those with a western palate. The song "Mon Amie La Rose," originally by Fran�oise Hardy, is so moving. Definitely check out the sample above. Natacha Atlas is divine. Several of the other songs like "Inchallah" stand out. But more than that, the compilation is pleasant and has good energy.

Khaled is the Algerian version of Abba. Good time party music, happy danceable tunes but little depth. Personally I was a little bit disappointed because I was expecting something a bit less poppy (so many people whose taste I respected had recommended it to me). This is not something I would listen to outside of a party context. If you like the Arabic sound and want something with a little more depth and orignality then I recommend the following artists: Idir, Souad Massi and Rachid Taha.

Khaled presents us a much more mature, creative, and melodic album. All tracks are very good and some just transport you I don't know where...

I was completely blown away by this particular CD from Khaled. It brought a new knowledge of "Arabic/French" to my collection of Arabic music. The recordings were very articulate and clean, making the whole CD very listenable. The use of horns in a particular manner on a particular piece was especially vibrant. It brought me to think of the old "Chicago", "Steely Dan" horn arrangments, which were very uplifting themselves. All in all, i'm glad i made this purchase.

Khaled is the Algerian version of Abba. Good time party music, happy danceable tunes but little depth. Personally I was a little bit disappointed because I was expecting something a bit less poppy (so many people whose taste I respected had recommended it to me). This is not something I would listen to outside of a party context. If you like the Arabic sound and want something with a little more depth and orignality then I recommend the following artists: Idir, Souad Massi and Rachid Taha.

Khaled presents us a much more mature, creative, and melodic album. All tracks are very good and some just transport you I don't know where...

I was completely blown away by this particular CD from Khaled. It brought a new knowledge of "Arabic/French" to my collection of Arabic music. The recordings were very articulate and clean, making the whole CD very listenable. The use of horns in a particular manner on a particular piece was especially vibrant. It brought me to think of the old "Chicago", "Steely Dan" horn arrangments, which were very uplifting themselves. All in all, i'm glad i made this purchase.

Like everyone else who was not familiar with rai, the Algerian-based percussive musical movement that has cut a wide swath in world music, I was introduced to Cheb Mami through his provocative singing on Sting's "Desert Rose". Upon a friend's recommendation, I bought this disc and was pleasantly surprised by its diversity and from-the-heart musical expression. While it does have that spice bazaar vibe that may seem alienating to those less amenable to what could be considered a niche market, the recording also presents a spirited mix of sounds - reggae, techno, gospel - without appearing to compromise the rai style Cheb Mami is attempting to spread worldwide.

Mami sings with seemingly great abandon with his recognizable falsetto voice, and it is this bravado that carries this highly rhythmic disc. He has assembled an impressive list of world-class musicians to help him - the late Chet Atkins, Omar Hakim, Nile Rodgers, Nitin Sawheny and in a fair trade deal, Sting. Most of the tracks are definitely ear-catching, but three stand out on their own - "Rim Lachoua", which has traces of Rodgers' late seventies-era sound mixed with a percolating bass/accordion combination; "Ana Oualache", a gospel number in an exotic setting that succeeds thanks to Indio-Anglo mixmaster Sawheny's blend of Mami's elevated voice with a back-up chorus (including Sting), string section, and digital beats; and best of all, the opening song, "Le Rai C'est Chic", which mixes his voice with some synthesized vocals that is irresistibly danceable. "Dellali" is a worthy introduction to rai-fusion, including exotic instruments like the djembe and derbouka, and certainly to the mesmerizing voice of Mami. Highly recommended for the more musically adventurous.

Dellali (The Beloved) is rai music for a cosmopolitan audience. The production is so tight, and the range of foreign music which is incorporated in the tracks so broad, that you might even call this pop music. Not an important distinction, but it gives you a hint why rai purists object to this album.

A word to those unfamiliar with rai: this music is to Algeria what banda/nortenas are to Mexico. Earthy themes are often expressed in a vulgar way. The melody melts away in the face of the thumpa-thumpa-thumpa of the chintzy MIDI-keyboard beats. Cheb Mami has always reached beyond those base elements. His music speaks of lovely and tender things. His voice is high and clear and always dominates the songs.

Dellali, however, is not entirely a rai album. The influences are true to the name: influences that penetrate each track entirely. For example, Ziggy Marley performs on "Madanite" and his participation is a crucial part of the track. This is no twenty-second solo thrown in to add ethnic flavor. "Viens habibi" features French chanson singer Charles Aznavour, and the accordion melody has a funky cabaret sound. So: rai fusion, if you need a designation.

This is good music. It's not challenging or cerebral music. But it's very warm and insanely danceable.

Let's all buy this album and celebrate the gorgeous voice of Cheb Mami, whose first solo American tour was cancelled after September 11. (He won't perform in his native Algeria, either, to protect the safety of his fans.) Naturally, if you can't enjoy his voice in concert, a CD will suffice. But maybe some brisk sales will entice him to come back on tour.

Cheb Mami here has a mix of modern styles and fushion. While number 1 and 10 are catchy, most of the songs are a bit slow and sometimes hard to listen to.

I think it is a new direction from Meli Meli and he hasn't hit it too off by trying out some new styles of rai.

I was disapointed with this CD as the artist tries too hard to be do too much in 1 CD. It tries to incorporate too many styles without doing justice any any of them. It isn't a dance, or techno CD and is far too Western to be culturally Arabic. I felt I got nothing of what I was looking for which was contemporary and dancible Rai. This is more atune to Alternative music with foreign lyrics.

A couple of weeks ago I heard the last cut on this CD--"Garab"-- played on an online radio station. I could scarcely believe what I heard! Rachid Taha is new to me; his style of music, Rai, is not played very much in the U.S. Basically, it's an internationally-evolved music originating with the traditional styles of North Africa (especially Algeria) as transformed by various interbreedings with Western blues, traditional, and folk. It is especially popular in Paris, where there are many expatriate Algerians, and Taha in this album has infused his roots with a stark 'urban punk' influence that can really smoke. It helps that the album is produced by Steve Hillage (formerly associated with groups like Gong, The Orb, and System 7), who knows well where to add a bit of meat to make the mix take off. "Garab", for example, is a long, continually escalating trance piece that starts rather innocently but by its end immerses you in an atmosphere that would frighten the demons of hell. Buy it! You'll like it!

My first experience with Taha was when I found Ole Ole while browsing the International section at a CD store. Never heard of him before, but loved the album. I'm always looking for different world beat music.

So then I bought Diwan. Hated it. Too traditional for me, I guess. Never could listen to the whole album. It easily made the first cut when dumping CDs on an unsuspecting music dealer.

Wasn't sure which direction Medina would go, but the comments on the album cover sounded encouraging. Love it. Better than Ole Ole.

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I love this music and was looking forward to owning my own copy. It was a real shock to hear the poor quality of the recording and mixing on the album. I can't wait to get rid of my copy.

Hello...I advice everyone to hear the Rai music because it's the best,and I'm sure that the all will love this kind of music.
About me I can't go to my University before listening to this music and also I can't sleep without hearing it.
Enjoy this music and especially cheb khaled...

Cheb Khaled is the master of the "Rai",,,and this interesting kind of music has become popular because of Khaled...
I can't feel of my daily life if I don't listen to his voice,,everynight,,everymorning and everytime,even he has become my main dream and I wanna thank him for this feeling...

Bilal Shaaban.

I love this music and was looking forward to owning my own copy. It was a real shock to hear the poor quality of the recording and mixing on the album. I can't wait to get rid of my copy.

Hello...I advice everyone to hear the Rai music because it's the best,and I'm sure that the all will love this kind of music.
About me I can't go to my University before listening to this music and also I can't sleep without hearing it.
Enjoy this music and especially cheb khaled...

Cheb Khaled is the master of the "Rai",,,and this interesting kind of music has become popular because of Khaled...
I can't feel of my daily life if I don't listen to his voice,,everynight,,everymorning and everytime,even he has become my main dream and I wanna thank him for this feeling...

Bilal Shaaban.

with the exception of a few Morrocan tracks untainted by BAD EURO-TRASH DISCO, this compilation is pretty awful.

good rai used to sound dark and forboding, until it became very cheesy in the 80s (when producers started making it for the French).

there is good modern Rai, just not available in the US or most of Europe (maybe you can find it in some countries, I'm not sure).

if anyone has access or knows of an online shop, please leave a note here.

A decent sampler of what rai music is and sounds like. Khaled, the first artist on the disc, is known in Algeria as the King of Rai. He currently resides in France and is known around the globe. Some of the other artists are lesser known, but just as good. The music is danceable and also something you can relax to. Pick this one up, and if you like the artists contained, search for them. Personally, I recommend Khaled. His song on this disc isn't close to his best, but I enjoy it nonetheless.

I love this music and I love this CD. I recently started belly-dancing lessons and wanted something to practice to. The music is infectious - I have to dance. I find the singers very passionate and sing from the heart, although I have no idea what they are saying.