Sahra (CD - 1996)

Personnel includes: Khaled (vocals); Randy Jacobs (guitar, bass); Abdallah Terkmani, Slim Pezin, Mickey Chung, Cat Coore (guitar); Philippe Eidel (bouzouki, charango, accordion, piano, keyboards, bass); Djamel Ben Yelles, Nicolas Krassik (violin); Vincent Courtois, Frank Choukroun (cello); Mustapha Kada (accordion, keyboards); David McMurray (flute, saxophone); Dean Fraser, Pierre-Olivier Govin, Brandon Fields (saxophone); Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone); Jamie Muhoberac, Robbie Lynn (keyboards); Bernard Paganotti, Benji Myers, Abe Laborial (bass); Tony Williams, Hafid Saidi, Greg Bisonette (drums); Lenny Castro, Mohsiein Chentouf, Michito Sanchez (percussion); Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffith (background vocals).

Producers: Don Was, Philippe Eidel, Clive Hunt.

Engineers include: Frank Redlich, Erick Benzi, Laurent Gueneau.

Recorded in Paris, France; Los Angeles, California; and Kingston, Jamaica.

This second album from Khaled, who's considered the King of Rai in much of North Africa, blends traditional mellifluous Middle Eastern melody with trip-hop beats, ska horn blares, reggae rhythms (some of the tracks were recorded in Bob Marley's Tuff Gong studio), adult contemporary-ish piano tinkling, and symphonic string arrangements. SAHRA is a reflection of the kind of vibe that exists in the international artists enclave in contemporary Paris, where Khaled has resided since he was chased out of his native Algeria by fundamentalist groups who consider Rai music a threat.

Rai music emerged in the late 15th century as the Moors were expelled from the Andalucia region of Spain. Modern Rai music, considered the blues of North Africa, has been banned in many North African countries because of its often political content. Teaming up with French rapper IAM on "Oran Marseille," Khaled manages to effectively communicate feelings of frustration even as the duo trades verses in Arabic and French. The closing track "Hey Ouedi" incorporates a wide range of traditional North African percussion and string instruments into a melancholic whole. minimize