Walli

Amazon.com
Like other Algerian artists and intellectuals either murdered, imprisoned, or driven into exile by Islamic fundamentalists, this husband-and-wife rai duo currently live in Paris with their children. And there, like countless other African musicians, they have refined their sound with an international audience in mind. Usually not a good idea, it works here. With lyrics like "I'd like God to torture you and watch him do it," Fadela and Sahrawi remain the John Doe and Exene Cervenka of rai. Producer Bill Laswell and arranger Maghni draw out the compositions lurking in many of their earlier rai hits (including "N'sel Fik"). Influenced by many different Islamic, African, and Mediterranean musical styles, rai is already a hodgepodge of improvisatory vocals and reggae-canted rhythm. So when Laswell and Maghni incline the tunes toward funk, jazz, and reggae (with Laswell adding his own force-of-nature bass to the mix) it's less about compromise than fulfillment. --Richard Gehr

Product Description
ALgerian Rai music with an International Night Club twist when New York producer Bill laswell adds his touch to 5 tracks...

Walli

Tracks:

Bab Wanhran (Door To Oran)
Walli
Dellali (My Lover)
Dance The Rai
Dawh (They Took Him Away)
Hasni
Wayala
Mani
Dougih (Pound It)
Waadi (Just My Luck)
N'Sel Fik (You Are All Mine)

Amazon.com

Like other Algerian artists and intellectuals either murdered, imprisoned, or driven into exile by Islamic fundamentalists, this husband-and-wife rai duo currently live in Paris with their children. And there, like countless other African musicians, they have refined their sound with an international audience in mind. Usually not a good idea, it works here. With lyrics like "I'd like God to torture you and watch him do it," Fadela and Sahrawi remain the John Doe and Exene Cervenka of rai. Producer Bill Laswell and arranger Maghni draw out the compositions lurking in many of their earlier rai hits (including "N'sel Fik"). Influenced by many different Islamic, African, and Mediterranean musical styles, rai is already a hodgepodge of improvisatory vocals and reggae-canted rhythm. So when Laswell and Maghni incline the tunes toward funk, jazz, and reggae (with Laswell adding his own force-of-nature bass to the mix) it's less about compromise than fulfillment. --Richard Gehr

Album Description

ALgerian Rai music with an International Night Club twist when New York producer Bill laswell adds his touch to 5 tracks...

Customer Reviews:

the fabulous duo of rai.......2002-11-17

A smooth and delectable release by this great duo, the production and arrangements are polished and cosmopolitan, making this a big transition from their early days as pioneers of rai in Oran, with a sound that is more accessible to a wider audience.

Some of the highlights are "Bab Wahran", about the love of their homeland, "Dance the Rai", a fun and joyful piece with a touch of disco feel to it, "Hasni", a rap tribute to their friend, the popular singer Cheb Hasni, who was assassinated outside his Algerian home, "Mani", which has a traditional African influence, the sensual "Dougih", and they finish with their big hit "N'Sel Fik", though the original, earthier version, on the "Rai Rebels" CD, has the edge on this one.

Total time is 51:20, and the informative booklet insert has some rudimentary English translations of the lyrics, an interview with the couple, a history of Algerian music and the instruments used, and even some recipes ! The pear custard sounds yummy.

Sahraoui, who's voice has a timbre that goes straight to my soul, is a superb singer, and Fadela's rich, powerful voice blends so well with his. Though no longer a team, they left us some marvelous recordings, and continue on their separate paths. Recommended also is Sahraoui's recent solo CD, "Un Homme Libre".
For anyone who has yet to listen to the beauty and wide range of styles of Arabic music, this wonderful CD might be a good place to start.

Walli-the best produced rai cd yet........1999-11-13

7) "Walli"-Chaba Fadela & Cheb Sahrawi (1997). If you only want to buy one 'raï' CD-this is the one. This is one of my all-time favourites. Finely and heavily produced by Bill Laswell. Just about every cut is unforgettable. They have even translated the Arabic lyrics into English for those who like to read lyrics. Track 2, "Walli" starts off like a Brazilian rumba but then swings into Arabic, big bass, and the Tijuana Brass sound. There are definite Laswellian bass lines in this cut that sound awfully familiar to those in Aisha Kindisha's "Shabeesation" CD. Flamenco guitar, darbuka and Laswell on bass start off the next dancey track-"Dance the Raï " A brilliant booklet that is provided is worth the price alone. It details the progression the 'roots of raï', translates the lyrics into English, it has a cooking section, description of the musical instruments of Algeria, books and further recordings from Algeria. Track 6, "Hasni" has heavy bass lines, tape loops, scratch and is a brilliant tribute to their friend--the late Cheb Hasni. This is almost done in the tradition of a dub remix like the kind Abdel Ali Slimani does on his (1995) CD "Mraya". On "Hasni", we hear Moroccan 'Gnawa' artist Hassan Hakmoun reciting a traditional Moroccan refrain for the dead-"Make room in the grave (for comfort in death), and perhaps in the afterlife, too." On track 7, "Wayala", traditional 'qaregeb' clappers and West African harmonies lead into this cut with George Benson on guitar! "Waadi" starts out with Cheb Hasni keyboard work and this leads into a great song, which translates into "Just My Luck". They end the Cd with a pretty lame version of their most famous track to date-"N'sel Fik".