Maxi Rai [Box set]

Amazon.com
Covering the period from the '80s to the present, Maxi Rai showcases 49 tracks covering the Algerian diaspora from traditional to contemporary pop. Fans of Khaled will thrill to early recordings that feature Cheb ("young man") Khaled and Zahouania paired in early rai modes, as well as Cheb Kader, Noria, Cheb Hasni, and Bellemou Messaoud and current stars like Cheb Mami. Also included are female stars (rai was ostensibly created by women in the first place); among them are Chaba Fadela, Chaba Amina, and Aisa. Maxi Rai, drawing mostly from the Blue Silver label, partially documents the movement of an underground street music seeking expression--despite a ban from the authorities--from a somewhat cheesy amalgamation of politics, tradition, and Western pop into a form that has achieved global recognition and acclaim. Nonexistent liner notes mean the music speaks for itself in its own disparate tones. --Derek Rath

Maxi Rai,Various Artists,Blue Silver,Africa,Algeria,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Rai

Average customer rating: Schoolhouse Rai Astounding

Maxi Rai Various Artists Manufacturer: Blue Silver (Fra) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Middle East & North Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000005N7R Release Date: 1997-12-16

Tracks:

1. Haoulou - Cheb Mami
2. Alia N'Batou Ahna - Cheikha Remitti
3. Koumou Bih - Cheb Kader
4. Alech Ya Zerga - Cheb Nasro
5. Rani Khalite Amana - Cheb Hasni
6. Lakamel - Cheb Khaled
7. Samehni - Chaba Zahouanian
8. Nastahal Ya Lamouima
9. Had d'Eniya - Cheb Tati
10. Ana Man Walich - Cheb Mimoun el Oujdi
11. Ouin Rak Tergoud
12. Fet Eli Fet - Djalti

Tracks:

1. Ma Andi Zhat Maak - Chaba Fadela, Cheb Sahraoui
2. Taachak Fia - Cheb Nasro
3. Ouach Etsalini - Cheb Mami
4. Awama - Cheb Kader
5. Ana Bia Taxi Numero - Cheb Khaled
6. Goult N'Battal
7. Khla Dar M'Ha - Messaoud Bellemou,
8. Choufi Omri (Regarde, Che!) - Cheb Hasni
9. Mat Goulich Al Mektoub - Cheb Othman
10. Amnine Rani Nabghi - Aa
11. Ahi Ya Mami - Chaba Zahouanian
12. Smat Khbar - Cheb Othman
13. Ouahya

Tracks:

1. Chira France - Aa
2. Sehrane Ouhdi - Cheb Mami
3. Way Way Khalouh Yeskar - Cheb Khaled
4. Ma Hamniche Omrek - Djalti
5. Adabi Tawwel
6. Lala H'bibi - Messaoud Bellemou,
7. Hya B'ghate Sahra - Cheikha Remitti
8. Taachki Felghir - Houari Benchenet
9. Matsalounich - Chaba Fadela
10. Rani Bghit Bladi - Cheb Kader
11. Tebghi l'Aroubi
12. Li Dlamni Ma Nsamhah - Cheb Hasni
13. C'Est Trop Tard Alik - Mohamed Lamine

Tracks:

1. Zharna Oulafna - Cheb Zahouani
2. Lila Lila - Cheb Hasni
3. Sidi Boumedienne - Cheb Mami
4. Ana Malite - Cheb Khaled
5. Loukane Derti Ragi
6. Bla Aa Mauvais Sang - Chaba Amina,
7. Sobri Sobri - Cheb Khaled
8. Chrab el Ghaddar
9. Yasmina - Cheb Nasro
10. Mazal Hobbek Mazal - Cheb Khaled
11. Kadab

Amazon.com

Covering the period from the '80s to the present, Maxi Rai showcases 49 tracks covering the Algerian diaspora from traditional to contemporary pop. Fans of Khaled will thrill to early recordings that feature Cheb ("young man") Khaled and Zahouania paired in early rai modes, as well as Cheb Kader, Noria, Cheb Hasni, and Bellemou Messaoud and current stars like Cheb Mami. Also included are female stars (rai was ostensibly created by women in the first place); among them are Chaba Fadela, Chaba Amina, and Aisa. Maxi Rai, drawing mostly from the Blue Silver label, partially documents the movement of an underground street music seeking expression--despite a ban from the authorities--from a somewhat cheesy amalgamation of politics, tradition, and Western pop into a form that has achieved global recognition and acclaim. Nonexistent liner notes mean the music speaks for itself in its own disparate tones. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Schoolhouse Rai.......2005-12-29

A lot of rai releases by a singer or a band or even compilations by producer tend to be a little same-sounding (to Western ears?) as you get into the 8th or 11th track, which sometimes creates the impression that rai is not very deep as a genre. This collection puts the lie to that particular idea. Covering a wide range of artists and 15-or-so years, these four discs will provide you with musical revelations for months, if not years. You may not like every song on it, but after listening for awhile you will better understand why you like what you do like. A history lesson, rai appreciation course and dance party in one package.

Astounding.......2001-06-29

If you tire of the overtly Western-sounding faux rai, or if you're new to rai music, this might be the definitive rai collection. If you can't get enough of the late Rachid Baba's production genius, look no further (he did the first track on disc 2, as an example, and a few others in this set). Despite the horrible opening track on disc 1 by Cheb Mami, which was featured in the film "American Cuisine," there's not a single bummer. The hypnotic, cheap-drum-machine, Casio-esque grooves are intact and as funky as ever. Some of the songs here can be found, rerecorded, on other compilations, but these here are the best versions. Especially good are the tracks by Cheb Khaled (recorded before he sold out), Chaba Zahouania (my favorite rai artist), Bellemou Messaoud, and Cheb Kamel el Oujdi (love that drum programming!). However, some classic rai (before synthesizers) can be found, but those tracks are great as well, especially the second track on the first disc (what songwriting!). Prepare to be amazed.

Average customer rating:

Maxi Hits Rai - Lo Mejor De La Musica Arabe Varios Artistas Manufacturer: UNIVERSAL ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000PAQCWK

Product Description

Simarik (Tarkan) - Ya Rayah (Rachid Taha) - Ki Kounti (Khaled) - Abdel Kader (Kaled,Rachid Taha & Faudel)

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8. Song of the Sun [Import]
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Pop Music