Kutche

Amazon.com
There's a lot going on in this ambitious and successful cross-cultural collaboration between Algerian rai star Cheb Khaled, Algerian composer Safy Boutella, and French production wizard Martin Meisonnier. Khaled's slithering vocal improvisations are in full, Islamically incorrect effect over densely arranged old-school instruments (oud, violin, accordion, and many different drums) that Meisonnier and Boutella alter and echo within an inch of their former selves. Yes, it often sounds cluttered--but rai nearly always does. Khaled himself comes off supremely confident no matter how agitated his Arabic exhortations for liquor and sex. But it's his collaborators' apocalyptic dance-hall beats--especially on the sample-delic "La Camel" and "Minuit," a tango-rai inferno--that put the mustached melodicist over the top on this exciting and forward-looking 1989 album. --Richard Gehr

Tracks:

La Camel
Kutche
El Lela
Baroud
Chebba
Hana-Hana
Chab Rassi
Minuit

Amazon.com

There's a lot going on in this ambitious and successful cross-cultural collaboration between Algerian rai star Cheb Khaled, Algerian composer Safy Boutella, and French production wizard Martin Meisonnier. Khaled's slithering vocal improvisations are in full, Islamically incorrect effect over densely arranged old-school instruments (oud, violin, accordion, and many different drums) that Meisonnier and Boutella alter and echo within an inch of their former selves. Yes, it often sounds cluttered--but rai nearly always does. Khaled himself comes off supremely confident no matter how agitated his Arabic exhortations for liquor and sex. But it's his collaborators' apocalyptic dance-hall beats--especially on the sample-delic "La Camel" and "Minuit," a tango-rai inferno--that put the mustached melodicist over the top on this exciting and forward-looking 1989 album. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews:

Classic, but dated.......2005-07-03

As the other reviewers note, Kutche is a nice introduction to Khaled and Rai. However, I'm more fond of Khaled's more recent productions. Kutche has a distinct '80s feel -- very synthesized and bouncy -- that grates on me after a few tracks.

If you stumble across a used copy somewhere, fine, buy it. But don't pay full price for a new copy of Kutche. Spend the money on one of his newer albums instead.

long live the King !.......2002-12-04

A brilliant collaboration between Khaled and Safy Boutella, this is one of the most thrilling CDs I own. Boutella, known primarily for his film scores, co-wrote 3 of the tracks, and helped adapt 3 others, which are of traditional origin. He plays bass and synthesizer, and co-produced with the great Martin Meissonnier.
I concur with Meissonnier, who once said in an interview: "We're living through a golden age of ethnic music", and Khaled and Boutella are a major ingredient in the birth and continuance of the exciting and and creative music that is now available in the world music market.

Khaled, known as the King of Rai (and after listening to this CD, you'll understand why), was one of the early pioneers of the genre, and comes into full bloom with this CD, which was recorded between 11/87 and 01/88, when Khaled was still in his "Cheb" days.

"Kutche", with it's contrasting rhythms, is an extraordinary track, and "Minuit", a song Khaled penned alone, has become my favorite of the lot. It's a spectacular tango beat blended with an Arabic melody.
"Minuit", "Baroud", and "Kutche" are also available on stupendous 4 disc set, "Absolute Rai", which contains 5 hours of top-notch music and is highly recommended for anyone who appreciates this type of music.
Other than recording info, there are no liner notes included; the sound is great, and total time is 42'41.

Awesome CD.......2001-06-08

The first time I heard this CD or when it first came out, I was still back home in the old coutry Tunisia. This album was a hit all over.

Recommend to any RAI music lover. You won't regret buying the album at all.

Kais Khelif

New music style launched ..........2000-12-14

This cd was the first for khaled in france and followed by his masterpiece album "Khaled" , his voice and the rhythems was very incredible , i recommend it for all ...

The best Rai you'll ever hear!.......2000-09-07

This album is by far the best Rai that came out of North Africa. Cheb Khaled teams up with Safy Boutella to produce this, A MUST BUY.

Average customer rating:

Kutche
Cheb & Bout Khaled
Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DXUW
Release Date: 1994-01-01

Average customer rating:

Kutche

Manufacturer: ST
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00067TTFY

Average customer rating:

Kutche
C Khaled , and S Boutella
Manufacturer: EMI Distribution
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000DR8H
Release Date: 1989-08-01

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