Algeria music reviews

If you like your rai over-produced and overtly western-sounding, this is for you. Otherwise avoid at all costs. Stick with the classic pop-rai from before Khaled's self-titled album on Cohiba/PolyGram, and anything produced by the late rai production genius, Rachid Baba

I think that Cheb Mami should be the King of Rai, because obviously, his music is a lot better than Khaled's. Cheb Mami has a talent, to sing the way he does. At first, I only listened to his music because it was the only Arabic CD I could find ( after listening to Desert Rose and watching him perform )because I want to learn Arabic. But in the end, Cheb Mami did more than help me get the hang of his language, his music inspired me. Whenever I listen to his music, it calms me down and helps me think of wonderful things. Especially, his song "Rani Maak El Youm", it helps me think of the nicest things I should do for my friends and family. But my family happen to think that his music is demonic or something because they say that if you are obsessed with something, then it has to be bad, and they see me listening to it all the time. But I won't let them take his music away from me, because that would be taking the headstart of my future away, and that, they just will not understand. But still, Saida is one of his best albums ever. Actually, all of his albums are the best in the world. They all inspire me. Khaled could never do that.

I like the rhytm, smooth, yet upbeat eastern melody.

If you like your rai over-produced and overtly western-sounding, this is for you. Otherwise avoid at all costs. Stick with the classic pop-rai from before Khaled's self-titled album on Cohiba/PolyGram, and anything produced by the late rai production genius, Rachid Baba

I think that Cheb Mami should be the King of Rai, because obviously, his music is a lot better than Khaled's. Cheb Mami has a talent, to sing the way he does. At first, I only listened to his music because it was the only Arabic CD I could find ( after listening to Desert Rose and watching him perform )because I want to learn Arabic. But in the end, Cheb Mami did more than help me get the hang of his language, his music inspired me. Whenever I listen to his music, it calms me down and helps me think of wonderful things. Especially, his song "Rani Maak El Youm", it helps me think of the nicest things I should do for my friends and family. But my family happen to think that his music is demonic or something because they say that if you are obsessed with something, then it has to be bad, and they see me listening to it all the time. But I won't let them take his music away from me, because that would be taking the headstart of my future away, and that, they just will not understand. But still, Saida is one of his best albums ever. Actually, all of his albums are the best in the world. They all inspire me. Khaled could never do that.

I like the rhytm, smooth, yet upbeat eastern melody.

While Warda's voice is pleasing enough, what really grabbed me about the CD is the wildly diverse and clever keyboard playing. The liner notes don't say it, but it sounds to me like most of the exotic instruments heard here....from the Egyptian strings to the kunun to the North African percussion and woodwinds.....were all played by a very talented keyboardist who knows his way around a pitch wheel. Of course, hearing this, one can't help wish that the sounds were actually being made by a room full of Arabic musicians, but I understand that isn't always possible. This keyboardist does as good a job as can be done in emulating a whole host of exotic sounds, with arrangements and playing techniques that demonstrate his deep knowledge of the various musical traditions.

I would not have heard of this lady if the late Aaliyah didn't sample the music in her song Don't Know What To Tell Ya from the album I Care 4 U, but i really likeit. I dont understand a word but still i feel the music, beats and rythm and truly excellent!

The music on this CD is beautifully orchestrated and is completely capitvating. The quality of the recording is excellent and sounds great even on a portable CD player. With energetic and upbeat tempos, it makes a great music companion for working out, rehearsing and/or performing. This CD is a definite "must have" for any belly dancer.

I was referred to this CD by a restaurant owner who was playing it in his establishment. The first CD is the best and has a lot of upbeat songs on it. Very usable for a belly dance entertainer or instructor. The second CD is a little less fun, but still good. :) :)

This is Rachid Taha first solo album after breaking up from his band Carte de sejour (Green Card). It is not as explosive as his later works (Ole Ole, Made in Medina),nevertheless, its an exellent album with great music, i am suprised i am the first one to commit on it. Maybe because Taha's earlier albums are hard to find...In the mean time, go and buy this album and you wouldnt be disappointed.

This live recording has a few rough edges. The sound could be better, and the singer/band balance is uneven, making the band equal, or sometimes sound a little closer than the singers...I'm not sure where/when this was recorded, but Sahraoui speaks to the audience in English, and I can hear a loudmouth (sounding like an American tourist !) blabbing in the background at times.

They sing 9 duets, and each have one solo...Fadela with track # 5, and Sahraoui # 6.
Their big hit, "N'Sel Fik", usually translated as "You are Mine", but here as "Dear as My Eyes", is track # 4. You can hear the fabulous hit version of this song on the CD Rai Rebels, amazon ASIN B000008JQ3.
Their second biggest hit was "Hana Hana", track # 7.
# 2, "You Are Far from Me", and # 3, "Turn on and Drive" are favorites, and # 10, listed as "Give My Son", is magnificent. This is tempestuous, sensual, erotic stuff...with Sahraoui at his very best and most enticing, with his breathy grunts.

Despite its flaws, if you're a fan of these two terrific artists, this CD is well worth listening to...and it will get better with repeated hearings...the sound defects will recede, and its raw beauty emerge. Total time is 62'52.

This album was produced during Cheb Khaled's final days in Algeria, just prior to his emigration owing to a fatwah pronounced against various rai artists. For those who know Khaled only from his "Kenza" and other recent Western audience-influenced releases, the sound is more raw and the drum rhythms, especially, are less stolidly 4/4, though no less riveting in their exotic funkyness. The result is a much more spontaneous and improvisatory sound, and one wonders in retrospect how much was lost in some of the newer releases. Of particular interest is an earlier, more syncopated version of "Serbi serbi"--one of my favorites, and the opening tune of the album "N'ssi n'ssi." No extended "dance mixes" here or interminable saxaphone solos, just an undiluted and feverish form of eclectic music, the likes of which have not been heard in the West since the demise of the Clash...

I bought this particular album on the strength of one song - Ya rayah, which I just love. I learned that it was the only song not written and composed by Rachid Taha which explains my disapointment. The other tracks are much different - more "dance tracks". So, be forewarned.

I was lucky to see Rachid Taha in concert in Brussels and he truly truly rocks. He had the whole crowd dancing to his amazing mixture of north african/arabic rythyms at a north american rock intensity. I'd never heard anything like it and promptly boughtic two of his cds: this one and Made in Medina. Of the two, Made in Medina has kept my attention longer because it has more energy (if you've seen Black Hawk Down, the song Barra Barra accompanies the helicopters to the city). My favourite song on this album is Ya Rayah (a big hit in Europe) because it always makes me want to get up and belly dance. The other songs are a bit softer or mellower than Made in Medina, but still have an edge. All the songs are in Arabic, French, or both. If you'd like something out of the ordinary, and not sappy boring "world music" or mushy euro-pop, then you'll love Rachid Taha.

Warning: this music isn't ra� or chaabi, so "world music" fans, beware !

Although Rachid Taha is interested in traditional music (this album includes a cover of the traditional song "Ya Rayah" and his album "Diwan" consists exclusively of traditional songs) most of his solo work is dance music with rock 'n' roll attitude. For one reason or another, his music often reminds me of TC MATIC, Arno's old band, probably because he has the same kind of typically European experimental and eclectic approach, but without becoming boring or inaudible.

So don't try to pin this guy in a little box (chaabi, dance, whatever) but open up your ears and dance !

Not your run-of-the-mill Algerian Rai. This is more of a project in brining the Rai and other mediums together -- particularly that of the Ragga (or Raga, depending on which continent you're reading this from). The eclectic fusion of carribean rap & rhythms and the sensual Algerian vocals create a genre that is separate from simply just the one or the other. Amazigh Kateb, Gnawa Diffusion's leader, tries to bring his two backgrounds together -- His Arab heritage and his exposure on multicultural levels living in France. You may not understand the lyrics but his voice evokes very basic and solid emotions. The music also differs from the modernized Rai, which recently have a tendency to be overproduced. This album, Gnawa Diffusion's most recent release, once again reaches back to roots of both the Rai and Ragga genres and brings them together.

Not bad for his old material. Mami and Khaled are the best Rai singers around. His newer stuff is much better though this is not a bad cd if you like the slow music.