Made in Medina

Amazon.com
After reinterpreting Arab classics on Diwân, Rachid Taha returns with a stunning collection of original compositions that owes as much to rock as to his Algerian rai roots, connecting the dots between Europe and the Maghreb. Here he again teams with producer Steve Hillage (Gong, System 7), whose guitar work and arrangements provide the muscular frameworks for Taha's songs and emotive voice. Rachid's new direction has all the power of rock, as on "Foqt Foqt," which maintains an insistent riff while retaining the delicacy and polyrhythms characterizing North African music. "Ala Jalkoum" offers a duet with Afrobeat superstar Femi Kuti while "Verité" and "Ho Cherie Cherie" could have come from a Peter Gabriel album. Made in Medina is a massive, but still natural, step forward that establishes Taha as the most visionary Algerian singer today. --Chris Nickson

Made in Medina,Rachid Taha,Ark 21,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Beat,World Music

Average customer rating: Really amazing Sit up and take notice! This CD tries too hard My third Taha album This one grows on you - Buy it!

Made in Medina Rachid Taha Manufacturer: Ark 21 ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Rock | International | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tékitoi (Who Are You?) Diwan Live Tékitoi Ole Ole ASIN: B0000584Y0 Release Date: 2001-02-06

Tracks:

1. Barra Barra
2. Foqt Foqt
3. Medina [Album Version] - Hakim Hamadouche, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, , Hossam Ramzy, , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
4. Ala Jalkoum
5. AAA- Abdel Abrit, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, Bob Loveday, Hossam Ramzy, , , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
6. Hey Anta - Abdel Abrit, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, Bob Loveday, Hossam Ramzy, , , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
7. Qalantiqa - Abdel Abrit, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, Bob Loveday, Hossam Ramzy, , , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
8. En Retard - Hakim Hamadouche, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, , Jean-Max Mery, Rachid Taha
9. Verit
10. Ho Cherie Cherie
11. Garab

Amazon.com

After reinterpreting Arab classics on Diwân, Rachid Taha returns with a stunning collection of original compositions that owes as much to rock as to his Algerian rai roots, connecting the dots between Europe and the Maghreb. Here he again teams with producer Steve Hillage (Gong, System 7), whose guitar work and arrangements provide the muscular frameworks for Taha's songs and emotive voice. Rachid's new direction has all the power of rock, as on "Foqt Foqt," which maintains an insistent riff while retaining the delicacy and polyrhythms characterizing North African music. "Ala Jalkoum" offers a duet with Afrobeat superstar Femi Kuti while "Verité" and "Ho Cherie Cherie" could have come from a Peter Gabriel album. Made in Medina is a massive, but still natural, step forward that establishes Taha as the most visionary Algerian singer today. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Really amazing.......2007-01-04

I, like many others, bought this cd after hearing Barra Barra on Blackhawn Down. I was pleasingly surprised to find that the rest of the cd is nearly as engaging. Garab is similar, with rhythmic lyrics and rock beats, and ala jalkoum is a ballad equally as entertaining. For people who like world music, particularly world flavour blended with western rhythmic beats and an edgy essence, this is a cd to add to their collection. Best songs: Barra Barra, Ala Jalkoum, En Retard, Garab.

Sit up and take notice!.......2002-10-06

A couple of weeks ago I heard the last cut on this CD--"Garab"-- played on an online radio station. I could scarcely believe what I heard! Rachid Taha is new to me; his style of music, Rai, is not played very much in the U.S. Basically, it's an internationally-evolved music originating with the traditional styles of North Africa (especially Algeria) as transformed by various interbreedings with Western blues, traditional, and folk. It is especially popular in Paris, where there are many expatriate Algerians, and Taha in this album has infused his roots with a stark 'urban punk' influence that can really smoke. It helps that the album is produced by Steve Hillage (formerly associated with groups like Gong, The Orb, and System 7), who knows well where to add a bit of meat to make the mix take off. "Garab", for example, is a long, continually escalating trance piece that starts rather innocently but by its end immerses you in an atmosphere that would frighten the demons of hell. Buy it! You'll like it!

This CD tries too hard.......2002-08-20

I was disapointed with this CD as the artist tries too hard to be do too much in 1 CD. It tries to incorporate too many styles without doing justice any any of them. It isn't a dance, or techno CD and is far too Western to be culturally Arabic. I felt I got nothing of what I was looking for which was contemporary and dancible Rai. This is more atune to Alternative music with foreign lyrics.

My third Taha album.......2002-07-06

My first experience with Taha was when I found Ole Ole while browsing the International section at a CD store. Never heard of him before, but loved the album. I'm always looking for different world beat music.

So then I bought Diwan. Hated it. Too traditional for me, I guess. Never could listen to the whole album. It easily made the first cut when dumping CDs on an unsuspecting music dealer.

Wasn't sure which direction Medina would go, but the comments on the album cover sounded encouraging. Love it. Better than Ole Ole.

...

This one grows on you - Buy it!.......2002-04-08

First, my prejudice: I like RAI music, as well as old stuff like Fairuz, and African musicians like Samba Ngo and Habib Koito. I really liked this album! But not without reservations - here's some minor gripes:

The first song Barra Barra has been heard as background in BlackHawk Down and in a PBS special on the intifadah al jadeeda. Still, Taha et al. dropped the ball - they could have transfigured the theme into something even more interesting in the middle section after it revs up into electric ... but it ends strong.

The song "Made in Medinah" itself is a bit repetitive and too much on the Eurotechno side for my taste.

The fifth song, Aie-Aie-Aie, also disapoints insofar as it could have been improved by avoiding the Aie-Aie-Aie theme which will not play well with English speakers (liable to hear it as the plaintif aye-yay-yay of Yiddish fame). Once I got used to that (yes ana amreekee), however, it became one of my favorites on the album.

Overview: I think this album has the potential to make inroads into the American audience and so my criticisms are pointed at what I think might impede this, presumably desireable (read: money), goal.

Overall, full marks as our British friends exclaim (well, they used to...

Average customer rating: Great Dance Album

Made in Medina/Ole Ole Rachid Taha Manufacturer: Wrasse Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Rock | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009RQS32 Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

1. Barra Barra
2. Foqt Foqt
3. Medina [Album Version]
4. Ala Jalkoum
5. AAA
6. Hey Anta
7. Qalantiqa
8. En Retard
9. Verit
10. Ho Cherie Cherie
11. Garab

Tracks:

1. Valencia
2. Nokta
3. Baadini
4. Comme un Chien
5. Boire
6. Za
7. Tabla Motown
8. Non Non Non [Multinational Version]
9. Jungle Fiction
10. Kelma
11. Non Non Non
12. OlOl

Customer Reviews:

Great Dance Album.......2005-07-30

My belly dancing teacher was the one to introduce my to Rachid Taha, and the first song I ever hear was Nokta from the Ole Ole album. Taha combines traditional Algerian music with electronica that gives him an unusual but captivating sound. I absolutely cannot listen to him without some part of my body getting into the swing of things.

Average customer rating: Truely a Masterpiece among music in General. One of a Kind

Made in Medina Rachid Taha Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music France | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Rock | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Diwan ASIN: B00004XRGM Release Date: 2000-09-21

Tracks:

1. Barra Barra
2. Foqt Foqt
3. Medina
4. Ala Jalkoum
5. Aie Aie Aie
6. Hey Anta
7. Qalantiqa
8. En Retard
9. Vt
10. Ho Che Che
11. Garab

Album Details

Recorded in Morocco, New Orleans and London, Taha's New Album was Produced by his Longtime Partner Steve Hillage (Ex-gong). This Album is an Incredible Fusion of Traditional Moroccan Shaabi Music with an Electro Beat, Rhythm 'n Blues, Funky Organs, Drums from Marakkesh and Zydeco Music from New Orleans! it also Has an Afrobeat Touch with the Presence of Femi Kuti.

Customer Reviews:

Truely a Masterpiece among music in General........2005-07-03

What words can be used to express my feelings about Rachid Taha's "Made in Medina" ? Inovative, Brilliant, Genius, Amazing, Out of this world, Perceptive, a Production Masterpiece, a Masterpiece in general. Listening to 'Made in Medina' is like having a sonic orgasm; his voice screams passion and his music refuses to be denied.

Many consiter him just another RAI artist, but I dont think it is fair to just lable him as such. This CD hits levels of orginality that hasnt been seen since albums by artists such as Kate Bush, Dead Can Dance, or Ekova. Sure, the Genres are different, but the inovative touch isn't. Good music is good music.

Yes, the music is definately Middle Eastern, but it fuses a touches of Rock, Electronics, Pop; a natural power driven collection of songs.
I think one of the key assets to his songs that just make it what they are is the raw nature of his voice in General. There is something in his voice that distinguishes him from the rest of the RAI singers. Sure you might confuse one Middle Eastern singer with another as they all have that same tone and sound to their voice, but when you hear Rachid, there is no doubt about who he is. Truely, an orgional.

Though every song is amazing in their own right, my personal favourites are the tribal driven "Gareb", the rocked out north african "Barra Barra" (Some might know it from Black Hawk Down), and the passionate "Ala Jalkoum".
"En Retard", "Aie Aie Aie" and "Medina" are some other songs I really like as follows.

In conclusion, this collection that is "Made in Medina" will delight and regain your faith that music still, and can be original and not everything has been done yet.

One of a Kind.......2001-01-03

This is a remarkably rich and varied record that resists hasty pigeon-holing. It's not just for the "World Music" shelf, that's for sure. Pressed, I'd file it under "Masterpieces".

I've had it since shortly after its release, listen to it often, and never tire of it. The cuts are loosely connected by the themes of voodoo and trance and there's an evident progression as they succeed one another. The opening songs ('Barra Barra', 'Foqt Foqt','Medina') appear to deal with urban angst and disillusionment and they are delivered with an irresistible rock bludgeoning. Gradually, more traditional North African elements assert themselves ('Qalantiqa' and 'En Retard') culminating in the literally breath-taking 'Garab' which the liner notes rightly calls "an invitation to enter into a trance ..." Lyrics are in Arabic and French with the exception of a few verses sung by Femi Kuti in 'Ala Jalkoum', but the liner notes include a few lines from each song in both French and English. The production by Steve Hillage is extraordinary, demonstrating as always in his work with Taha, enormous respect for both the power of the electric sounds and the discrete texture of the acoustic instruments. Those who are put off by Taha's somewhat gruff voice (see reviews of his previous solo record 'Diwân') will not find it changed and those who have acquired a taste for it will rejoice that it hasn't. I love this record.

Average customer rating:

Made in Medina Rachid Taha Manufacturer: Barcl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Rock | International | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005MMJE

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Average customer rating:

Lay It Down Jme Medina Manufacturer: JesaJade Muzik ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAEZ0Y Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Lay It Down
2. When I Look
3. All About You
4. Give a Little
5. Gotta Be Me
6. Break of Day
7. When It Rains
8. Movin' On
9. Now That I Found You
10. Interview with Jme
11. Se Trata de Ti
12. Voy Avanzar
13. Ya Que Encontre Tu Amor
14. Lay It Down (Pop/Hip-Hop Version)

Average customer rating:

Made in Medina Rachid Taha Manufacturer: Polygram International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Rock | International | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000DENQ2 Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. Barra Barra
2. Foqt Foqt
3. Medina [Album Version] - Hakim Hamadouche, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, , Hossam Ramzy, , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
4. Ala Jalkoum
5. AAA- Abdel Abrit, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, Bob Loveday, Hossam Ramzy, , , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
6. Hey Anta - Abdel Abrit, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, Bob Loveday, Hossam Ramzy, , , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
7. Qalantiqa - Abdel Abrit, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, Bob Loveday, Hossam Ramzy, , , Mahmoud Serour, Rachid Taha
8. En Retard - Hakim Hamadouche, Steve Hillage, Hassan Lachal, , Jean-Max Mery, Rachid Taha
9. Verit
10. Ho Cherie Cherie
11. Garab

Rock Music:

1. Mambo Yo Yo
2. Masters of Chant Chapter 3 [Import]
3. Midnight Minyan
4. Nha Mundo (My World)
5. Night Silence Desert
6. O Primeiro Canto
7. Oceania
8. Osibisa
9. Piccolo Amore [Import]
10. Prophecy

Rock Music

rock music

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