Raï: the Search for Cheb

Joshua A.C. Newman · 08-16-2010, 12:16 PM

Hey, I'm looking for some new North African and Middle Eastern music in the Raï vein. On the one hand, I really dig the more traditional, acoustic stuff, however modern. On the other hand, I love how Natacha Atlas has embraced modern music technologies and techniques. The middle ground, though, seems stuck in 1988, with the synth hand claps and brass.

So, if I like these:

Cheb Mami (What a voice!)
Cheb Khaled (If you don't like Khaled, you probably don't like the entire genre —*he's sort of central)
Abdou (I've only heard a little and want more)
Natacha Atlas (because she and her fellow musicians really know their medium)
Cheb Anouar (a favorite because the voices and acoustics are more powerful than the synths)
Abdel Ali Slimani (Everything I like about the genre!)
Rachid Taha (What's not to like about punk Algerian/French awesome rock? Rock Al Casbah!)

... and I don't like these:
Cheba Zahouania
Cheb Khaled when he gets excited about synth saxes
Ofra Haza (I thought there was some that I liked, but I can only find stuff that's really overproduced and stretching for a nonexistent American audience)

...what else will I like?

Thanks!

NumberNineDream · 08-22-2010, 06:29 AM

I feel Rachid Taha is the best, but maybe you can check out Faudel's earlier works, before he got too French and pro-Sarkozi:

If I remember any more names, I'll be posting them.

**Janszoon** · 08-22-2010, 07:59 AM

Raï is one of those styles of music I've heard a bit about from time to time but never known where to start with. I'll have to check out some of those artists mentioned in the OP.

NumberNineDream · 08-24-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Raï is one of those styles of music I've heard a bit about from time to time but never known where to start with. I'll have to check out some of those artists mentioned in the OP.

You should check this, it is The Raï Classic, featuring the greats: Rachid Taha, Cheb Khaled and Faudel:

And my ultimate favourite:

Enjoy.

Joshua A.C. Newman · 08-31-2010, 07:21 AM

Man, that first Faudel video is creeeepy.

I've got recordings of both the last two videos there, but I don't have any Faudel except one track on a compilation.

You know what's great about Taha? He's not enamored with modern production any more than he is with traditional instruments. He's just really fluent with them all.

Janszoon, the history of Raï is really neat. It's a lot like the history of Blues and Rock.

Seltzer · 09-27-2010, 01:41 AM

I remember checking out the Cheikha Rimitti album which features Flea and Robert Fripp, and it was interesting to say the least

I think I'll explore some more of the genre, because I'm not sure that album was entirely representative of Raï.

Joshua A.C. Newman · 10-04-2010, 08:33 AM

I'd guess that it isn't. But she's pretty intense, and you just introduced me to her! Thanks!

08-16-2010, 12:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joshua A.C. Newman Groupie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 12	Raï: the Search for Cheb Hey, I'm looking for some new North African and Middle Eastern music in the Raï vein. On the one hand, I really dig the more traditional, acoustic stuff, however modern. On the other hand, I love how Natacha Atlas has embraced modern music technologies and techniques. The middle ground, though, seems stuck in 1988, with the synth hand claps and brass. So, if I like these: Cheb Mami (What a voice!) Cheb Khaled (If you don't like Khaled, you probably don't like the entire genre —*he's sort of central) Abdou (I've only heard a little and want more) Natacha Atlas (because she and her fellow musicians really know their medium) Cheb Anouar (a favorite because the voices and acoustics are more powerful than the synths) Abdel Ali Slimani (Everything I like about the genre!) Rachid Taha (What's not to like about punk Algerian/French awesome rock? Rock Al Casbah!) ... and I don't like these: Cheba Zahouania Cheb Khaled when he gets excited about synth saxes Ofra Haza (I thought there was some that I liked, but I can only find stuff that's really overproduced and stretching for a nonexistent American audience) ...what else will I like? Thanks! __________________ I love making stuff. Music is stuff.

08-22-2010, 06:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	I feel Rachid Taha is the best, but maybe you can check out Faudel's earlier works, before he got too French and pro-Sarkozi: If I remember any more names, I'll be posting them. __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge Last edited by NumberNineDream; 08-23-2010 at 12:56 AM.

08-22-2010, 07:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Raï is one of those styles of music I've heard a bit about from time to time but never known where to start with. I'll have to check out some of those artists mentioned in the OP. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

08-31-2010, 07:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joshua A.C. Newman Groupie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 12	Man, that first Faudel video is creeeepy. I've got recordings of both the last two videos there, but I don't have any Faudel except one track on a compilation. You know what's great about Taha? He's not enamored with modern production any more than he is with traditional instruments. He's just really fluent with them all. Janszoon, the history of Raï is really neat. It's a lot like the history of Blues and Rock. __________________ I love making stuff. Music is stuff.

09-27-2010, 01:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Seltzer Fish in the percolator! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hobbit Land NZ Posts: 2,870	I remember checking out the Cheikha Rimitti album which features Flea and Robert Fripp, and it was interesting to say the least I think I'll explore some more of the genre, because I'm not sure that album was entirely representative of Raï. __________________ In the Court of King Crimson \| Last.fm \| RYM

10-04-2010, 08:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Joshua A.C. Newman Groupie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 12	I'd guess that it isn't. But she's pretty intense, and you just introduced me to her! Thanks! __________________ I love making stuff. Music is stuff.

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