Search - Cheikha Rimitti :: Nouar

Powerful and intense

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The legendary Cheikha Rimitti is thought of as the "mother of rai", and has been recording since the early `50s. Born in 1923, her life would make a fascinating film or book, and her style of singing is a mix of North African music and rai, with a dash of some soulful blues. Her deep, strong voice (I assumed it was a man when I first heard the title song) is earthy and perfect for her rhythmic music. She wrote all of the songs on this CD, co-writing 6 of them with the great Mohamed Maghni, who has produced music for Khaled and Sahraoui, among others, and who has weaved his magic on this CD as well. Rimitti is known for her somewhat raunchy material, and most of the songs on this album are about passion and lust, but my favorite track is "Rassoul Allah", with words of soul stirring piety, humility and devotion. I am deeply moved by the simplicity and meaning of this piece.
The title track is a fabulous melodic song, but the rest are more in the percussive, tribal mode, with exotic instrumentation. I love the gasba (a type of low-pitched flute) on many of the tracks, and Bellamou Messaoud's trumpet on "Hak Hak", "Osman", and "Khalouhom". Also included is a lot of ululation, a sound I find thrilling.This is raw, primal music that gets better with each hearing; a tantalizing slice of world music, and a major piece of rai history.
The booklet insert has the lyrics in French and English, the sound is excellent, and total time 59'52."

Haunting

Billy Ray Guthrie | Gadsden, AL United States | 05/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since I acquired XM radio, I've discovered new worlds of music - specifically, the "World Music" channel. Heard the title song of this CD and had to buy it. Thought the rest of the cuts would be throwaways, but was stunned by the power of some of the other songs, such as "Nakhla."This CD is an education for someone with feet glued to the United States."