Khaled, Kenza (Barclay) 9+
Despite the rise in popularity of new stars like Cheb Mami, Khaled is still Algeria's undisputed king of Rai. His first international release since 1996's Sahra, Kenza is his most successful fusion yet of the old world Arabic traditions of the souks and kasbahs of north Africa with modern Western pop. Recorded in Paris, London and strings in Cairo, Egypt, and produced by former Gong guitarist Steve Hillage, and Lati Kronlund, founder of the new York collective, Brooklyn Funk Essential, Kenza the album's diversity is blended into a consistent pop sheen. Khaled travels around the globe, not restricted to his signature rai-funk (which gets tarted up and clubby on "E'dir E'sseba"). On "El Harba Wine" he travels to India and recruits the angelic vocal assistance of the precocious young Amar, who was last heard on Talvin Singh's Anokha collection. He visits Spain in the flamenco 'n' salsa "Gouloulha-Dji," Moroccan sufi trance grooves complete with the pipes of Pan ("Derwiche Tourneur") and even drum 'n' bass on the album's most buoyant highlight, "El Bab." Khaled hosts a stable of stellar international musical guests, including Egypt's Hossam Ramzy on percussion and Fela Kuti's drummer Tony Allen from Nigeria. The only throwaway is a French ballad, although his cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" is decidedly iffy. Sung with Moa in both English and Arabic, it recalls a nightmare evening stuck in an Arabic karaoke bar. But somehow, Khaled redeems himself, daring to imagine if there were "no religion," he would not be exiled to France by the violently oppressive Islamic fundamentalists in his homeland.
