Customer Reviews

Sources of the Rai

5 star:		(2)
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Sheikha Remitti, after listening to her album, this album, has changed the way I look at modern Rai music. Modern Rai is all about copying the old stuff and root and fooling around with some guitars, bass and production effects.. Khaled has proven pioneer in that.. but who gives a goddamn hoot or credit to the people who first created those compositions and inspiration ? none,, none of those new singers on top of which is Khaled have given credit to Sheikha Remitti. This is outrageous ! Please listen to this album, it will show you this cool scotch like voice of Remitti but so powerfull, so old, so vaccined with morality and honesty. Rabbi m3ak a Remitti ! laytawwallak fla3mer alalla. Fi Khater Hmida dyal Paris!

The late Cheikha Remitti is a legend amongst fans of Algerian rai music. With her husky, passionate voice, she performed continuously from the '40s right up until her death in 2006! And she never lost any of her passion, intensity or presence. Her music has gone onto influence today's Rai singers like Khaled and Rachid Taha. This CD, yet another great release from the Institut du Monde Arabe, showcases just why Cheikha Remitti was so great. Tracks like 'Fatma,' 'Sidi Taleb,' 'Ya Lemmima,' and 'Ya el-Hmam, ya el-Hmam' demonstrate why Cheikha Remitti rightfully deserves recognition. And if 'La Camel' sounds familiar, it should, because it was made famous in the West as a cover by Khaled. Anyone who appreciates Rai music owes it to themselves to check this CD out. It is an essential part of Algeria's cultural heritage. Especially if you've never heard of Cheikha Remitti (or HAVE heard of her, but have yet to actually listen to one of her CDs). Remitti was, and still is, one of the most important names in Arabic music! So thank you once again Institut du Monde Arabe, for giving us yet another great recording of Arab music from 'back in the day.'