Khaled – Ya-Rayi (Universal AZ/UK:Wrasse Records, 2004)
Here comes the latest album (and by far the best recent release) from the mighty Khaled. This is an album which will go down well with the home crowd. Stylistically, Ya-Rayi is a return-to-roots, and we’re sure it will appeal as much to the new global audience he’s garnered over the last 4 or 5 albums as it will back home in Algeria. The big sound of his rocking band remains, but its excesses have been tempered. Simple, spicy arrangements set into a fine production (mostly by the accomplished Philippe Edel) come together in a set of 10 fine new songs which delivers all of the passion of this world superstar with all of the cheese removed.
This is raï as we know it of old, back in those heady mid-80s when the cheb (kid) from Oran first emerged on the European scene courtesy of the wonderful French-based Horizon Records (sadly long gone). It feels like he means it when he declaims so passionately on the subject of the 2003 Algerian earthquake – ‘La terre a tremblé – he’s not just going through the (e)motions as he seemed to be doing on recent live appearances. Amongst other welcome guest appearances, Marseilles-based North African Jewish piano man Maurice el Medioni joins Khaled for ‘H’mama’, shimmering with memories of a long-ago time. The easy ambiance of the overall sound and atmosphere of Ya-Rayi is sure to gather the maestro an even larger fan base.
Buy Ya-Rayi
Author: Dave Atkin
