Brutal dub from Algeria! From El Mahdy Jr.’s Bandcamp site: “RAÏ DUBS! This is a collaborative release featuring El Mahdy Jr, Gulls, XJ, and Alter Echo. Beginning with a shared love of old school Algerian Raï music and audio deconstruction, we sampled several Raï classics from cassettes and YouTube rips, Continue Reading
Algeria
Various Artists – Sweet Rebels: The Golden Era of Algerian Pop-Raï
My goodness, Wewantsounds Records continue to surprise and delight! This latest compilation (the vinyl is due March 28) is a collection of electro-raï music from Algeria. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of “Sweet Rebels – The Golden Era of Algerian Pop-Raï” Selected in Continue Reading
Lounès Matoub – Lettre Ouverte Aux... (25th Anniversary)
Lounès Matoub was the controversial voice of a generation of Algerian Kabyle people. He was brutally assassinated on June 25, 1998, but his work lives on. From Elmir Records’ Bandcamp site: “In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his assassination, Elmir offers the very first vinyl edition of the reference Continue Reading
Boutaiba S’Ghir – Fidak Elyoum
MCPE Records is a French label who seem to specialize in great North African music. This release featured what looks to have been a cassette by Algerian Raï singer Boutaiba S’Ghir, and it’s as joyous and synthy as one would expect from the genre.
Raïna Raï (راينا راي) – Hagda (هكدا)
A new name for me to enjoy! Raïna Raï are (were?) a band from Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria who gained a massive following with this album, released in 1982. On the 40th anniversary of its release, the album, lovingly curated by Elmir Records, highlights one of the best raï records Continue Reading