Sublime Frequencies, the influential Seattle label run by Hisham Mayet and Sun City Girls bassist Alan Bishop, has made a name for itself over the years by culling obscure recordings from around the world and then dropping dependably great compilations for us music nerds to enjoy. One 2008 release in particular, 1970’s Algerian Proto-Rai Underground, promptly sold out on vinyl and was never reprinted… until now! As a digipak CD. Perfect for the car stereo, or your Discman from 1996.
But let’s focus on the music, right? This rare compilation collects some of the most prescient Algerian Raï 45s in one place. In the early 1970s, Raï began to develop on the country’s Northwest Coast, where a young scene was crafting a new, experimental take on classic Algerian styles. Sent underground and censored by the government, these Raï pioneers are still relatively unknown to this day… until now! Spread the word, guys, cause this is one digipak you won’t wanna miss out on. It even features a booklet with photos and historical liner notes. If you read these notes, you’ll learn that “the Godfather of the modern Raï sound” is none other than Messaoud Bellemou, whose group L’Orchestre Bellemou reworked traditional Algerian music with newfangled instruments like the trumpet. 1970s Algerian Proto-Rai Underground is out now on CD, and the full tracklist can be found below. My personal favorite is “I’m Still Getting Drunk… Still.”
1970s Algerian Proto-Rai Underground tracklist:
01. Li Maandouche l’Auto [He, Who Doesn’t Own a Car]
02. Mazal Nesker Mazal [I’m Still Getting Drunk… Still]
03. Touedar Aakli [My Reason Is Lost]
04. Lah Lah Ya S’habi [My God! My God! My Friends!]
05. Dayha Oulabes [I’ll Marry Her Wheter They Like It or Not…]
06. Malagre Tout [Despite Everything]
07. El Fermlia [The Nurse]
08. Ana Dellai [I Cuddle Myself]
• Sublime Frequencies: http://www.sublimefrequencies.com
