This was the first "post-Cheb" Khaled recording, trimming down the Cheb Khaled name while beefing up his accessibility to the French, and soon American, pop music markets. Under the production wings of Don Was, the funk ma... more »ster, and Michael Brook, the mood maker, he expanded from the cheesy synth-and-drum machine sound of street level rai and made his first bid for international stardom. It's a mixed bag, with a few songs finding new turf for the gritty rai sound and mixing it up with some real American R&B. He tosses in some nice flamenco and Moroccan touches here and there, as well. Many others fail to capture either the raw energy of Algerian pop or Khaled's growing pop sophistication. --Louis Gibson« less
This was the first "post-Cheb" Khaled recording, trimming down the Cheb Khaled name while beefing up his accessibility to the French, and soon American, pop music markets. Under the production wings of Don Was, the funk master, and Michael Brook, the mood maker, he expanded from the cheesy synth-and-drum machine sound of street level rai and made his first bid for international stardom. It's a mixed bag, with a few songs finding new turf for the gritty rai sound and mixing it up with some real American R&B. He tosses in some nice flamenco and Moroccan touches here and there, as well. Many others fail to capture either the raw energy of Algerian pop or Khaled's growing pop sophistication. --Louis Gibson
"Khaled is my favorite rai artist ever! I first discovered rai when my mom bought a CD with various rai and other north african artists, I started to LOVE algerian rai!!! Mauvauis Sang is soooooo cool."
Khaled Has Soul!
Margo Escargot | East Coast, US | 05/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to Khaled since his "Cheb" days. While I'm kinda partial to his early stuff, I really like this CD. "Mauvais Sang" and "El Arbi" are just two of its gems. The whole CD is exotic - with western touches and lots of electricity! What a jolt! And Khaled's voice is so soulful and passionate - like no other in rai music. I listen to this CD while I exercise. It makes for an enjoyable workout that goes by quickly! Get this CD while you can!:)"
The best rai and khaled cd FOREVER
Ahmed Nabih Ahmed Elsayed | Egypt | 10/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"although i bought this cd long time ago, i still feel it's just new every time i listen to it, there is DiDi needs no introduction, and all the other songs i feel that they are like masterpieces..........."
Great Music
M. Selvakumar | Australia | 08/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was introduced to Khaled during my trip to India in 1992. This is one of the best albums I have listened to. Track 2 is very addictive as well as the album."