Sublime Frequencies Boutaiba Sghir, Bellemou & Benfissa, Group El Azhar & Cheb Zergui : 
1970's Algerian Proto-RAI Underground (ALG,70s->2008)****'
While mostly keeping a huge distance from the aggressive sounds of Rai, I was really surprised to hear these much earlier examples from the 70s, Even when this album involves artists which still are popular today, their sound was quite different.
The introduction by Hicham Chadly explains how Waran's (or Oran's) harbour is known to be to the home of Raï music. The term means ‘opinion’ or ‘point of view’. The style has its origins in Bedouin celebrative / wedding music. In this way especially the repeated percussion (bender rhythms) and trumpet arrangements can be seen this way. The brass also very much recalls Balkan wedding feast music. The singers, considered as social outcasts since last century began to appear in cafes, bars and night clubs, were not always appreciated for expressing their personal desires. According to the notes, with the influence from Egypt, mambo and flamenco and later Bollywood, jazz, rock and reggae and such different arrangements were tried. But it was especially the trumpet which gave a new flavour to the music. The Balkan-like trumpet repeats the tune themes. There are a few African call/response noticeable now and then, although the singer mostly leads all. The rhythms are fast stomping and attractive, have something African too. The repeated rhythms in combination with the harmonium, -which tunes comes always a bit late-, recalls some Pakistani celebrative music as well. All this gives a very different style of Rai compared to modern Rai. It is very much is the sort of early Rai comparable to what Ska is to Reggae. The use of trumpet becomes a bit methodical, but there’s just enough alternation in the tracks that makes it acceptable. Just the last track is very different. It reuses the same style for an electric guitar interpretation of an arrangement (with wahwah pedal). Very special, and a nice discovery of a new proto-genre of an in general protective society for its cultural heritage of creative movements.
LP limited to 1.500 copies.
