Discography - Various Artists

Due to repression, the first exponents of raï music in Algeria were moving in the underground. This has led people to believe that the infectious genre was born in the early '80s. This compilation sets the record straight, with a selection of undeniably raï songs recorded in the 1970s. Seven of the eight songs included here lean more toward the traditional folk pole of Algerian music than the modern rock and pop elements that would later permeate raï. Four artists are represented. Groupe El Azhar performs two songs with a strong beat and an assertive singer. Their "Touedar Aakli" provides a highlight. The two songs by Bellemou & Benfissa are bouncier, but that group's trumpet player is so loud (both in terms of volume and quote-me-if-you-can style) that he mars the music. The real star of this crop is Boutaiba Sghir, represented by three songs: great Algerian beats, an agile brass section, an impressive accordion player, and Sghir's deep tenor voice. His "Dayha Oulabes" even has a surprising mambo feel. The compilation concludes with Cheb Zergui's "Ana Dellali," the only track here featuring electric guitar, and a very Hendrixian one at that! This album came out as a limited-edition gatefold LP on 180-gram vinyl -- the choice of weighty vinyl is pure vanity, as the quality of the recordings, clearly lifted from original 45s, does not justify an audiophile pressing. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide

Year	Type	Label	Catalog #:
2008	LP	Sublime Frequencies	45
2009	CD	Sublime Frequencies	45