Customer Reviews

N'Ssi N'Ssi

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

true story I: i was getting married in africa and we had to get a band. i was traveling so my wife and best friend go out to check out the recommended band and come back with a report that "they can play anything" and "want to know what you want to hear." veritable human jukeboxes. right. so if these guys are so accomplished, let them try this on for size, and i flip them a tape of "n'ssi n'ssi."

a couple of weeks later, i stumble into the wedding reception and this band strikes up a dead-on perfect version of "serbi serbi." they had everything but the steel guitar. threw in a cover of "n'ssi n'ssi" to prove it wasn't fluke. came up to me afterwards and asked if i had anymore khaled tapes. wanted to learn more songs. heard that they now cover "didi" and "aisha" as well.

true story II: my buddy, who doesn't speak a word of arabic, walks into my house and "serbi serbi" comes up on the player. "this guy has lost his girl." i guess some things are universal.

the lesson in all of this, is if you're interested in hearing some new music, or rai, or khaled, or you're just the Writer from running times who wants to know what world record marathoner khaled khannouchi listens to in his car, check this out. you won't be disappointed. i've got african wedding bands and college professors the world over as my witnesses.

Even though this is one of the older Rai CDs out there (1993), it is still, by far and away, the very best I've heard. And I have been listening. If you're new to Rai, this is definitely the one to hook you. If you're not new, you still must have it. And if you have no idea what Rai is, but you know how to appreciate that Quincy Jones style funk, then check out what this MUSICAL MASTER does with that American homegrown sound.

However, if all Khaled did was mix American funk production with traditional music, he would be just another good world music artist. But try to wrap your mind around a mélange of North African arab lyrics and insruments that incorporate funk, tango, jazz, and Mediterranean salsa, backed by a doumbec percussion, played by an airtight band that just locks every time.

I'm ready for the concert!

This is my 4th CD fro Cheb Khaled...Rai is my favourite type of music..the mixture of arabic style music with western beats with a touch of meditteranean music...makes up a great CD..not to mention Khaled's exotic voice, extraordinary personality and his sweet ever-so-smiling-face!! This is one of my Top 5 CDs...

I have finally discovered why the elusive and famous chase-scene track Alech Taadi from the movie The Fifth Element was missing from the Eric Serra soundtrack score; It's not his song (though, there are striking resemblances instrumentwise between Khaled and Serra).This song itself is worth the album. It is richly flavored in French, Arabic, and Spanish(salsa) sounds.

The rest of the entire album is just as rewarding for the listener as well. Khaled's music not only transcends styles or genres in pop,Arabic, electronica, etc. but it is true that music like this is universally global !I never knew what Rai music was about or what it sounded like (I'm sure I need more education on it). However, I know what I like...and to just "like" this 1993 Khaled project is an understatement. From the first to the last track on the first listen of the entire disc left me in a mesmerized and impressionable daze !Do not pass this gem up nor take it at face value for it's intoxicating and danceable pop rhythms; It is so much more. The helping hand from Don Was proves invaluable as well...

Now, I can truly understand when my friends (who are non-Spanish or do not speak or understand Spanish) used to say about listening to Spanish music,"That is beautiful music,though I don't understand the lyrics !" N'Ssi, N'Ssi c.d. jacket slip cover contains the lyrics from Arabic to English; The lyrics are poetically astounding in talking about broken hearts and other daily personal human experiences (in the English translation). I would only marvel at the possibility of hearing Khaled put out a project sung in English or Spanish. --- Anyway,it's all UNIVERSAL !...

I bought this album mainly because Alech Taadi is featured in the cab chase scene in The Fifth Element. I had also previously heard various rai artists in Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant in New Haven, CT, but wasn't enamored enough to actually go out and purchase anything. Now that I've bought this album, I'm a convert. Rai is so dang cool; it flows and moves and twists and turns and fully makes you feel like moving. It's definitely for anyone who likes reggae or good dance techno. Go get it!

Like d_chesson before me, I bought this album because of "The Fifth Element" cab chase scene to the music of "Alech Taadi". I love the exotic (exotic to me) sound blended with modern instrumentation.

I can't understand a word he is saying, but music is universal. I know what he means.

Rai is getting a little attention these days because of that hit song Sting did with Cheb Mami. But Sting's tune is lame, watered down yuppie music if you ask me. I have an awesome compilation called 'He Rai' from a French label that's not available anymore featuring Khaled and Mami and a bunch of other Rai superstars. I listen to that all the time. This one by Khaled before he got too commercial sounding for his own good is another excellent disc. This is Arab party-Rock fusion at its best. These tunes soar into your head like whirling dervishes in the desert sun and burn a permanent place in your imagination. Get it or suffer a definite lack.

This CD is my first experience with rai music. I am now a devoted fan. The first song truly speaks to my heart. The second song KEBOU is my favorite on the album. I am a student of Middle Eastern dance and enjoy all types of Arabic music. I find the music here to be eclectic, hypnotic, and energetic. I do not speak Arabic and currently enjoy listening to Khaled more than any of my English language CD's. I think the varied instrumentation is invigorating and fresh. Khaled's voice is so engaging and the more I hear it the more I love it. Just can't say enough!

This is my second album from Khaled, and my fifth for eray. This is truly awesome, soul soothing, dreamy and wonderful music. The mix of the instruments, the beat of the drum, and Khaled's voice all make the album very special. There is power in the sons, and they are all written and sung with soul and it is truly BEAUTIFUl! My sister, who kind of likes other Khaled albums, loves this one, so you'll love this album, especially if it is your first eray album.

Or audio Hasheesh - take your pick.

One of the most nearly perfect albums I have heard in over four decades of eclectic listening.

I have little idea what Khaled is singing about, or what language or dialect he is singing it in - nor do I much care.
The voice is all you need. Add to that magnificent instrument
superb musicians, spot-on instrumentation, arrangements and production that fits each song like a glove and...what else is necessary to know?

Eleven splendidly varied songs that all groove, cook and flow into each other with an utterly dependable, danceable, intoxicating drive and sheer delight in being alive. It just keeps coming on. And you wish it will never stop. This is music that would make Sufis of the pathetic Taliban.

(Check out Kenza, too!)