Various: Best of Algerian Rai (Arc/Elite)

 |   |  <1 min read

Khaled: Ya Taleb
Various: Best of Algerian Rai (Arc/Elite)

Experts in rai -- traditional Algerian popular music which has latterly incorporated rock and other Western styles -- may quibble about the title here, but certainly some of rai's most famous names are represented on this excellent introduction to this hypnotic, warm, vibrant and impassioned music.

Here are Khaled (the acknowledged "King of Rai"); Bellemou Messaoud (with Gana el Maghnaouri); the legendary Cheikha Rimitti who has been called "the Piaf of rai"; Cheb Hasni; Fadela; Akil and Cheb Aissa from the new generation, and others.

Translations aren't given, but the booklet does offer a good synposis of each artist and their importance.

Mesmerisingly woozy music.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   World Music from Elsewhere articles index

Hossam Ramzy: Sabla Tolo IV (ARC Music)

Hossam Ramzy: Sabla Tolo IV (ARC Music)

Percussionist, arranger and producer Hossam Ramzy has appeared frequently at Elsewhere, and been interviewed. From Egypt, he is one of the few Arabic musicians whose name might be... > Read more

Luisa Maita: Lero-Lero (Cumbancha)

Luisa Maita: Lero-Lero (Cumbancha)

There are perhaps a hundred or so singers such as Luisa Maita in Sao Paolo but doubtless her family connections -- mother a concert promoter, father a musician, uncle owning a record label where... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . . PETE BURNS: What's on the a-gender?

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT . . . PETE BURNS: What's on the a-gender?

A lifetime and career trajectory from beautiful young New Wave pop-boy star to a very alarming botoxed older woman is not what most people would chart for themselves. But welcome to the world... > Read more

Alvin Robinson: Down Home Girl (1964)

Alvin Robinson: Down Home Girl (1964)

When the Beatles and the Stones covered songs by black American artists on their early albums and championed Motown soul (Beatles) and Chicago blues singers (Stones) they undoubtedly drew... > Read more