VA - 70's Algerian Proto - Rai Underground

VA - 70's Algerian Proto - Rai Underground

Verdict: 3.5/5
Label

Sublime Frequencies

CATALOG NO

SF045LP

RELEASE DATE

October 2008

Written By

The Attic

Published

May 21, 2014

There’s always been something special about the North African music, something different in their music. It has always been so vibrant, alive and meaningful. It can’t lie. It breaks every wall and it goes straight with anybody who’s dealing with it. Because, yes, this is music that you deal with. Especially if it’s coming from the largest country of Africa, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

The amazing crate digging masters from Sublime Frequency released in October 2008 this anthology shows the rise of artists such as Groupe El Azhar ("The Flowers" group) and Messaoud Bellemou, who can comfortably be considered the godfather of the modern Raï's sound. This type of traditional folk music originated in the early ‘30s in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds and it’s mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms.

Rai attracted the young people who sought to modernize the traditional Islamic values and attitudes. Regional, secular, and religious drum patterns, melodies, and instruments were blended with Western electric instrumentation. Due to censorship and government controlled music diffusion, the Rai music scene and lyrical style was forced underground and frequently banned from broadcasts.

This compilation brings up 8 proto-rai songs from the golden age of the underground crates of Algeria. You’ll get totally hooked from the very first minute! Each song unveils a music universe that’s being kept secret and safe for so many years, and now you can taste from its special flavor.

Fortunately, the vinyl pressing in Algeria developed in the ‘70s and this new industry allowed many small musicians, including the Wahrani "scene", to record and release singles, detailing their repertoire.

Don’t miss this great compilation, thanks to the digging efforts of Hicham Chadly for Sublime Frequencies, a label that just can’t stop from enriching the avid spirits of the gold seekers and music adventurers.

Tracklist:

A1 - Bellemou & Benfissa - Li Maandouche L'Auto
A2 - Groupe El Azhar - Mazal Nesker Mazal
A3 - Groupe El Azhar - Touedar Aakli
A4 - Bellemou & Benfissa - Lah Lah Ya S'habi
B1 - Boutaiba Sghir - Dayha Oulabes
B2 - Boutaiba Sghir - Malgre Tout
B3 - Boutaiba Sghir - El Fermlia
B4 - Cheb Zergui - Ana Dellali