Meli Meli

Cheb Mami | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ark 21
• ASIN: B00001QGLA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,785 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > World Music > Africa > Algeria

Track Listings

1. Meli Meli

2. Alache Alik

3. Bledi

4. Parisien du Nord

5. Rani Maàk el Youm

6. H'rabti

7. Hada Ch'hal

8. Hatachi

9. Bekatni

10. Cheikh

11. Azwaw 2

12. Parisien du Nord [Remix]

13. Marseillais du Nord

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good effort, March 15, 2000

By 

David Harrison - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meli Meli (Audio CD)

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.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheb mami is magical, June 1, 2000

By 

Tanzeem Ajmiri (U.S) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meli Meli (Audio CD)

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

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheb Mami Shows He is a True Musician, April 25, 2000

By 

Sara Eagan (Charlottesville, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meli Meli (Audio CD)

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.