Legendary Algerian-French artist, Rachid Taha continues his music-with-no-boarders exploration. On this, his 8th studio album, Rachid Taha s 'Bonjour' is no ordinary greeting. It is not the standard 'bonjour' uttered reflexively in the street or on the telephone, but a more generous one reflecting Rachid s nature. Rachid has been offering to get acquainted for nearly 30 years now. For all that time, his music has been saying Bonjour, Bongiorno, Hola, Hello, As Salaamu Alaikum, and Guten Tag, greeting others with tireless, friendly enthusiasm. Recorded in Paris and New York City, his landscape continues to broaden from rai to rock and electro to Americana. The America Rachid loves is an idiosyncratic one, gleaned from John Ford westerns, Johnny Cash s country music and Elvis Presley s rock n roll. Yet on 'Ha baby', Rachid has achieved a perfect blend of country and Alger-style chaâbi popular music. This mixture of Kenny Rodgers and Farid El Atrache is a love song and jewel among others, with Hakim Hamadouche s Arab lute twinned with Marc Copely s National guitar to produce a set of finery Rachid offers to his beloved. 'Bonjour' sung in Arabic and French with Gaëtan Roussel, is a wonderful tribute to the French popular genre at its most sincere. Elsewhere, Rachid reflects on the fraternal bond between Jews and Arabs, continually buried under successive layers of hatred and suffering on 'Mabrouk aalik'. The uncompromising 'Mindjey', a hip-hop/jeel-music hybrid whose electro programming (by his son Lyes) forms a stunning alloy when brought into contact with a bewitching oriental scale.
Y**I
The Best Fusion of Arabian Music with other genres
I've searched allllll over the internet far and wide...and even the best versions of modern Arabian music fall short in some way or another. Taha's music isn't just the best because it sounds the best, but because the content is genuine, current, and deep in meaning. Most of his songs explore themes of human suffering and political injustice,the myterious journey of life. They're not just romantic at times but they speak honestly and the lyrics only bolster the amazing the sound to penetrate one's psyche.I gave this album a 4 because I've reserved 5's for his Albums Diwan, and Made in Medina. These two albums in particular I fell in love with almost every single song. The other albums are still excellent but not every song had chemistry for me.Definitely money well-spent.If you're ever looking for a modern spirit of 1001 Arabian Nights, it's definitely Rachid Taha, and then I would suggest Natacha Atlas. They're among the best.
R**R
He's the man
Rachid Taha continues to delight and entertain us with his wonderful North African and European fusion - something for everyone!
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