All Artists:Cheb Mami Title:Meli Meli Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Release Date: 3/16/2010 Album Type: Import Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC:724384548421
Synopsis
Album Details
New Succesfull Album from the Franco-algerian Star of Rai Music. Includes the Single Au Pays Des Merveilles (Azwaw).
CD Reviews
Good effort
David Harrison | 03/15/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Mami's album is a change from listening to my two favorite rai stars Faudel and Khaled in that it is a little faster and hipper in its sound. Mami does cnot have the voice that Khaled has, and his songs are more a sort of pop music than some of the powerful ballads that Khaled offers us such as Aisha or Wahrane. Beledi is a catchy pop tune that is fun to listen to. I saw Mami in concert in NY a few months ago and I firmly believe that the nice dance pace of his music lends itself more to a live show than sitting around at home listening to this music. I would recommend this album to people who are already familiar with rai music and want to hear an artist other than Khaled, Faudel or Taha. For those who want to discocer the sounds of rai for the first time, I would recommend starting with Sahra or Les Trois Soleils- a live album with Taha, faudel and Khaled."
Cheb mami is magical
Tanzeem Ajmiri | U.S | 06/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Growing up I heard other arabic music styles but i never heard much Rai. the first time hearing it was when i recently saw an episode of Saturday Night Live and Cheb Mami performed with Sting. I immediately fell in love with his magical voice, and him. His voice is so sexy and like no other. After hearing him i went on a quest trying to find any of his albulms(online samples). i found a few and then decided to buy his albums, unfortunatley he only has 1 US release. I frantically went looking for Meli Meli and finally found it. The Album is wonderful, every song. The hiphop/R&B sound of Parisien du Nord and the traditional beats of Bledi are tantalizing. My favorite track Bekantini is so mesmorizing. the Beats are so wonderfull,and most of them danceable. some people are skeptical because they don't understand Arabic, neither do I, although people in my family translated for me i loved the music before I knew the words. Meli Meli is most highly recommended. Peace and Love Tanzeem"
Cheb Mami Shows He is a True Musician
Sara Eagan | Charlottesville, Virginia, USA | 04/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although I had never listened to Rai music before or anything remotely North African, I fell in love with Cheb Mami's voice and style on the song Desert Rose. I bought Meli, Meli, not knowing how I would like it, being something so different from what I usually listen to. I love it. Mami uses all types of musical styles to create a culturally rich and diverse set of songs that take the mind on a journey all around the world. Mami's voice is a beautiful instrument that he uses however he wants, contrasting nicely with the various instruments. The title track, "Meli, Meli," is a very danceable, upbeat song with a bit of pop/jazz mixed in with the rai. "Bledi," however, has a more traditional sound. Try out one of my favorites, "Azwaw 2," that even has bagpipes in with the traditional drums and Arabic words. Overall, Mami shows that he knows how to mix various types of music but still keep his own personal style, the mark of a true musician. Meli, Meli, is definately worth listening to."
No doubt Ceb Mami has an extraordinary voice.
Okanturk | Burlington, NJ USA | 09/05/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I've purchased his recent recording "Meli Meli" after I heard him singing with Sting in Desert Rose. Sorry to say but I thought it was a female voice until I saw the video clip; nevertheless, he has a fantastic voice in that song, which forced me to buy one of his recording to know him and his Rai music well. I have never listened to Rai Music before, but I would say his music has Mediterrenian flavor mixed with western pop. After I listened to "Meli Meli", I've realized that it's really very similar to Turkish Pop, the only difference is that one is sung in Arabic with Algerian dialect, and the later one is in Turkish language. It's sad that I've lived with a roommate from France who has an Algerian background for 6 years(we are still very good friends) but was never introduced to Rai music by him. Anyhow, I did not get the same sound of Cheb Mami in "Meli Meli" as in Desert Rose; hence, I was disappointed a little bit but I would still say it's a very nice recording. The melody is very soft and relaxing. You close your eyes and his music will take you to the beautiful Mediterrenian coast. Combining his beautiful voice and rthym with the technology, the result is quite good."
Best cd i own!
jordanlane | Martinsburg, WV United States | 11/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i had heard "desert rose" way back and loved it before i even knew the name of the mysterious arab. Then i heard "azwaw 2" and compared the voices. on a hunch, i searched on amazon.com to find the name of sting's duet partner, and i was right. i absolutely had to have cheb mami's cd right then. i compared the reviews and bought "meli meli." now i don't know what i did without it. it's the most amazing cd i own. it draws you in with the title track from the very first note and mixes mellow, arab-folk, like "bledi" with funkier beats, as in "parisien du nord." i was especially surprised to hear the reggae-tinged "hatachi." i am arabic, and this music speaks to my soul, but cheb mami is an incredible artist with an amazing voice to anyone who even briefly listens to him."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1