Rai Music

Cheb Khaled and Cheb Mami are both good. A good sampler, if it is still available, is Planete Raï (Gumbo CD 004 on Cooking Vinyl).

I would also recommend Deb by Souad Massi. Not Rai but a fantastic singer from Algeria, now living in France. Try to get the CD with the DVD.

Huwge,

Thanks,
Peter

I have 'Cheb Mami' Meli-Meli, it is good enough although has about three dross tracks to close. Try also the albums from 'Abdelli' on RealWorld records too, Rai with a bit of a twist. New Moon is excellent. Song samples on Amazon.

Bruce

Bruce,

Thanks, any idea of any of these albums are available on vinyl?

rgds,
Peter

'Vinyl'? What is that?

(Ducks).

Bruce

Peter - most of what I have on vinyl I picked up late 80s and early 90s through my then local record shop (independent, non-mainstream and sadly very much closed) aand listening to John Peel / Andy Kershaw on Radio 1.

I guess the best bet is to try and find a retailer with a good world music section who will order stuff for you or 2nd hand. I still manage to pick stuff up in Paris since Rai and North African music is much more popular there (obviously). CD is much easier to obtain, for me at least.

Sterns is a good place for CDs.

First, Souad Masi is not rai, not even close.
There are planty of compilation albums available for *real* Rai, an Internet search will prove fruitful.

The Cheika Remitti album you *need* is 'AUX Sources du Rai" on Institute du Monde Arabe (IMA 321008). Just buy it, it is the best album you will have ever owned.

I'm listening to "Meli Meli" right now, very enjoyable. There are also a few explanations for the songs in English on the sleeve notes to provide a bit of background. I don't know if it remains faithful to traditional Rai, but I like it.

We also have Mami's "Saida", a release from 1994, which I don't recall enjoying as much.

I'd recomend "meli meli" regarless whether you're looking specifically for "Rai" or not. Good album,good production.

I'm off to look for Sideshow's recomendation.

BOR

Bought three CD’s this weekend:

Cheikha Rimitti – Le world...Rai
Hmmm, bit underwhelmed. I’ll probably have to play it a few more times to get it ... or not.

Abdelli – Among Brothers
That’s more like it, very enjoyable

Souad Massi – Deb (CD&DVD)
This is great, I really like it. This will be played often and I’ll definitely try to buy more of her albums (if she’s got any).

I haven’t been to Sterns yet, but this place is close to where I live so I will certainly pay it a visit and try some of the other recommendations on this threat.

Bruce; no need to duck, I’ve got nothing against CD, I’m not a vinyl extremist. I just keep banging on about vinyl because I just happened to max-out my vinyl front end at the ‘expense’ of CD, nothing planned, just one of those things. Had I thought a bit better about it I’d probably have taken your route.

rgds,
Peter

To confirm Sideshow, Souad Massi is not Rai but I think most people who like Rai will be interested in her music - glad you like it Peter.

The other album that I have is called Raoui. It is not as readily accesible as Deb, but is good nevertheless.

Huw