or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
Available to Download Now
 
Buy the MP3 album for $9.49
 
 
 
 
More Buying Choices
15 used & new from $7.49

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Diwan
 
See larger image
 
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews) More about this product

List Price: $17.98
Price: $17.98 + $6.01 sourcing fee & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Usually ships within 2 to 3 days.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

9 new from $7.49 6 used from $7.99
Buy the MP3 album for $9.49 at the Amazon MP3 Downloads store.


Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
listen  1. Ya Rayah 6:13$0.99 Buy Track
listen  2. Ida 5:56$0.99 Buy Track
listen  3. Habina 7:27$0.99 Buy Track
listen  4. Bent Sahra 7:12$0.99 Buy Track
listen  5. Ach Adani 6:26$0.99 Buy Track
listen  6. El H'Mame 6:07$0.99 Buy Track
listen  7. Enti Rahti 6:59$0.99 Buy Track
listen  8. Menfi 5:03$0.99 Buy Track
listen  9. Bani Al Insane 4:32$0.99 Buy Track
listen10. Malheureux Toujours 6:13$0.99 Buy Track
listen11. Aiya Aiya 7:00$0.99 Buy Track


Amazon's Rachid Taha Store

Music

Image of album by Rachid Taha

Photos

Image of Rachid Taha

Biography

Algerian worldbeat artist Rachid Taha was born in the Gulf of Oran during the peak of the Independence War era; as a child, he relocated with his family to France, later finding employment as a dishwasher, cook and factory worker before landing a DJing gig at a small area club. Forming the group Carte de Sejour, Taha attempted to create a style of Arabic rock music heavily influenced by the… Read more in Amazon's Rachid Taha Store

Visit Amazon's Rachid Taha Store
for 22 albums, 6 photos, discussions, and more.

Frequently Bought Together

Diwan + Diwan 2 + Made in Medina
Price For All Three: $54.95

Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Show details

  • This item: Diwan ~ Rachid Taha

    Usually ships within 2 to 3 days.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Diwan 2 ~ Rachid Taha

    Usually ships within 2 to 3 days.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Made in Medina ~ Rachid Taha

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Diwan 2

Diwan 2

~ Rachid Taha
4.5 out of 5 stars (2)  $16.98
Made in Medina

Made in Medina

~ Rachid Taha
4.1 out of 5 stars (14)  $13.98
Rock el Casbah: The Best of Rachid Taha

Rock el Casbah: The Best of Rachid Taha

~ Rachid Taha
4.5 out of 5 stars (2)  $16.98
Sahra

Sahra

~ Khaled
4.8 out of 5 stars (32)  $15.99
Maxinquaye

Maxinquaye

~ Tricky
4.4 out of 5 stars (103)  $11.99
Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (March 16, 1998)
  • Original Release Date: June 9, 1998
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Barclay
  • ASIN: B000007NTS
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,454 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #3 in  Music > World Music > Africa > Algeria
    #23 in  Music > World Music > Rock
    #84 in  Music > Dance & Electronic > World Dance

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The second collaboration between Taha, an Algerian living in France, and '70s prog rocker Steve Hillage, Diwan carries forward the old/new hybrid of 1996's Ole Ole. Taha is clearly familiar with ancient Middle Eastern melodies, but he's also comfortable with the dance rhythms of Parisian nightclubs. Traditionalists will find the straightforward melodies and instrumentation of "Habina" and "Ach Adani" the most satisfying, but Diwan's most adventurous track, "Bent Sahra," may be its best. Instead of strings, the song leans heavily on an industrial beat and the hypnotic mantra of a guest female vocalist. Though not for purists, it perfectly captures the urban throb of Paris and the intense dislocation felt by every immigrant. --David Bombeck

Related Artists on Tour(What's this?)
Product Ads

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Let the desert party begin..., February 5, 2004
"Diwan" is a really rich album - a great way to introduce others to rai music without losing itself to Western studio overproduction. Some other readers' comments seem confusing to me. 6 minutes too long for a song? Obviously that person isn't familiar with traditional Arabic music where songs can go on for what seem like eons. Of course, "Ya Rayah" is the anchor to this album - the one song (if any of Taha's) that anyone would know, but the other's are just as good. I enjoy the change in tempo and intensity of "Habina", and the good times that "Ida" seems to evoke. Rachid's voice is raw and unmodified, which makes the songs all the more genuine. "Diwan" is definitely a keeper, and also is his most consistent album.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Rai uno!, October 27, 2003
By Martha Grenon (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
I had no idea what to expect when I purchased "Diwan" in cassette format several years ago. It had been highly recommended in the hi-tech mag "Wired", and, being interested in world music, I decided to take a chance.

I've now just about worn it out, having listened to it countless times. With "Diwan" in my pocket I go out for a brisk two-mile walk every evening and this guy rocks! And I rock as I walk, snapping my fingers to the infectious beat. It's fantastic music and I defy anyone to keep still once they hear it!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this guy!, January 22, 2000
By Muselover (Dayton, OH USA) - See all my reviews
I rarely enjoy "blends" of roots music with modern, urban music, but I have to make an exception for Rachid Taha. I really enjoy the enthusiasm and joy he exudes on this album, and the combination of traditional and contemporary works great here, in my opinion. He's singing in the Arabic tradition, which might sound "off-key" to western ears, but I really think the album deserves enough attention to learn to understand and enjoy this tradition.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sexiest Around
What music is all about. Ecstatic, passionate, infectious, intelligent. Taha's voix joli-laid is one of the sexiest around.
Published on June 8, 2007 by Eliyahu

5.0 out of 5 stars A live recording of ensemble performance
Diwan is an impressively showcased and very highly recommended collection of music from the Middle East featuring the inspirational works of the group Rabita Andalusa. Read more
Published on January 14, 2004 by Midwest Book Review

5.0 out of 5 stars The Carlos Vives of Rai
This cd contains the great Arabic classics of the past but they are done in a very modern way albeit folkloric. Think of this cd like the Carlos Vives of Arabic music.
Published on November 30, 2002 by Juan Olvera

4.0 out of 5 stars Algeria Reconsidered
Rachid Taha is easily one of my favorite Franco-Algerian artists in recent years. I fell in love with his song "Ya Rayah" and went out and bought this CD immediately... Read more
Published on October 15, 2002 by Zekeriyah

4.0 out of 5 stars eclectic
I am not of Arabian descent but having lived in Arab lands for more then half of my life, I know the sounds well of different Arabic music and am quite intimate with the culture... Read more
Published on March 31, 2002 by Karam Khan

5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente CD!
Excelente CD!
Muy bueno, sobre todo, la cancion de apertura "Ya Rayah" que presagia todas las cosas buenas que ofrece este disco y que ponen de manifiesto la calidad... Read more
Published on February 21, 2002 by Miguel E. Landaverde

5.0 out of 5 stars A great surprise
Before I bought this CD, I think will be interesting listen a mix of rai and techno-music, but was really much.. Read more
Published on March 13, 2001 by Ramon Flores Sarda

5.0 out of 5 stars Best International Album Ever!!!!!!!!!!
What made me buy this CD was the song "ya rayah" it has a blend of middle eastern and western styles, i think that rachid taha is a genius, only a genius could mix such... Read more
Published on October 10, 2000 by the_arabian_man

4.0 out of 5 stars Belly Dance Friendly?
This CD is great if you want to include a modern sound in your dance routine. The artist's voice is hard and edgy. Read more
Published on August 14, 2000 by Donna Hearth

4.0 out of 5 stars Mumtaz jiddan!
This is a great CD. The first track, "Ya Rayah," is especially captivating, mixing traditional playing with a modern drive. Read more
Published on August 2, 2000

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide

SoundUnwound Says...

Diwan opens new browser window is Rachid Taha's opens new browser window 4th studio release. Browse Rachid Taha's Discography opens new browser window and watch Rachid Taha videos opens new browser window on SoundUnwound.

View your Amazon music library opens new browser window, recommendations and new releases on SoundUnwound opens new browser window - the personal music encyclopedia.

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Diwan
69% buy the item featured on this page:
Diwan 4.5 out of 5 stars (21)
$23.99
Rock el Casbah: The Best of Rachid Taha
14% buy
Rock el Casbah: The Best of Rachid Taha 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)
$16.98
Diwan 2
6% buy
Diwan 2 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)
$16.98
1, 2, 3 Soleils
6% buy
1, 2, 3 Soleils 5.0 out of 5 stars (12)
$10.97


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:













i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.