Customer Reviews

Samra

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The musicianship on this CD is sensational, and Faudel, a 25 year old French star of Algerian descent, serves up one tasty song after another in his smoky sensual voice, making this a recording that will be played for decades to come.
Though there are different styles on it, like "Salsa Rai", the nouveau flamenco flavored "Hanina", and the electronic "Rohi", it makes a good blend, and every track is great to dance to.

Faudel co-wrote 10 of the 13 songs, and on "Salsa Rai" sings with Yuri Bonaventura. Track # 7, "Je Me Souviens", is a seductive ballad that's a knock-out, and the track I'm most likely to hit the re-play button on, but there isn't a weak song on the entire CD.

The packaging also gets my highest rating. It's in the sturdy cardboard case that is being used nowdays, and that I appreciate so much (no more "teeth" breaking off from the disc grip), and this one has a double fold-out for the lyrics (in Spanish, French, and transliterated Arabic) and recording info. Total time is 55:09.
This is one of the very best recently released non-classical CDs I've heard. Exciting stuff, expertly performed and presented.

Move over khaled, Mami and Taha to make room for a new generation of rai. Faudel is a young new artist whose talent is met with unprededented enthusiasm. His music depicts a variety of styles which appeals to a diversified spectrum of populations, with his soft and soulful voice moving from the Salsa rai to the balladry of Je Me Souviens to the dancefloor beats of Rohi. Faudel's music enters the heart and nourishes the soul. As I close my eyes and listen to his soft warm voice, I drift into a dreamlike state that's neverending...It's magical and Faudel's music is sensational. Samra is a must buy album. There's a beat in it for everyone.

I received the latest CD of Faudel Samra as a gift from a friend. I started to love the music from the first moment I heard it. Although I don't understand much Arabic, the music goes straight to your heart. The music alwasys cheers me up when I am feeling down.

Faudel has arrived! His second release is as good as his first (Baida) or even better! Faudel has a very passionate voice and truly sings from the heart. Track #1 Leila is destined to become a sure hit at Arabic discos and night clubs. Track #4 Salsa Rai will move you! Samra manages to combine very traditional Arabic instruments such as Kanun (by Elie Achkar one of the greatest Kanunist from Lebanon), Oriental percussions in perfect harmony with the Western Guitar, Drums and Piano! Listening tip: Turn up the volume and be sure to use your replay button!

When I left Marseille in 2000, I picked up Faudel's 1998 release... and discovered a new world of sound and love of music. They try to put Faudel into a category... into a little column, but just as he did in his last release, SAMRA breaks all the chains they've placed upon him. When you listen, you'll be taken from Algiers, to Marseille, to Paris, and back down to Madrid... who knows where you'll end up.... Faudel is limitless....

Faudel earned the title of: new revelation of the year in 98; and he still deserves that title; he is simply astonishing, his Rai rythms are getting better and better; and this new album just proves it.

This Cd is definitely enjoyable... I love listening it to it when Im about to go out or when Im just feeling down its an awesome CD!!! Its definitely diffrent and pleasing...plus FAUDEL is soooo cute...:)

I found 'Samra' quite a disapointment. I loved his first, but found this second solo offering bland and featureless. Faudel might have merely lost that poignant adolescent wail in the natural course of maturing or could it just be sabotaged by nondescript material and muddy production? Perhaps it can re-emerge in future work with better songs The best thing I can say about this is that it makes me appreciate the wonder that was 'Baida' even more.