Mami! [Import]

Track Listings

1. En Tierra Firme

2. Dormite Patria

3. Como Boomerang

4. Bajo Presion

5. Fotos Del Mundo

6. Rubias De New York

7. Tiempo De Silencio

8. Solo Una Respuesta

9. Tu Mismo Paso

10. Mienten

11. De Mami

12. Bastidores

Mami!,Juan Carlos Baglietto,EMI,Latin

Latin

Music

Jazz

Music

Mami! [Import]

Tracks:

A Thousand Years
Desert Rose
Big Lie, Small World
After The Rain Has Fallen
Perfect Love...Gone Wrong
Tomorrow We'll See
Prelude To The End Of The Game
Fill Her Up
Ghost Story
Brand New Day

Amazon.com essential recording

There is a difference between being an inspired musician and an informed musician. Sting is the latter. As always, he surrounds himself with ultratalented artists: this time around Stevie Wonder, Branford Marsalis, James Taylor, guitarist Dominic Miller, and the prince of rai Cheb Mami, fill the roster. Brand New Day exhibits about as many musical styles as there are tracks, all encased in dense, meticulous production. The album begins promisingly. "A Thousand Years" pulses atop a lush, two-note foundation. "A Desert Rose" folds trilling Algerian pop into trip-hop. Melodic, late-night jazz ballads dominate the middle portion of the collection. But Sting's preoccupation with odd-numbered time signatures prevents the songs from grooving, while the choruses are yawns. "Fill Her Up" (no, not "Fill 'Er Up"), a country tune, represents Sting at his most self-indulgent. Listening to one of the wealthiest musicians in pop singing "Got no money to invest / Got no prospect / Or education / I was lucky to get the job at this gas station" requires a heroic suspension of disbelief. The song morphs into this gospel number where Sting and a supporting chorus chant "You gotta fill 'er up with Jesus! / You gotta fill her up with life!" Who knew unleaded could be so rousing? --Beth Massa

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite.......2007-01-25

Being the Sting fan that I am. This has become my favorite Sting CD. Aa a matter of fact this is my second copy, I wore out the first one!
There is something on this CD for everyone, every mood and a great long drive CD.

Soothing music.......2007-01-16

How can you not like Sting? I happen to really like this CD. His selections of songs on this CD are great and wonderful to listen to.

Better than what I was anticipating........2006-08-30

However, rather bland sounding at best. I found "A Thousand Years" a rather good piece, "Desert Rose" was decent, but not all that great, the rest was all forgettable, and showed that this was just an excuse to put out an album to fufill a record contract. The album comes to a horrible end with the title track which paralyzed me in depression. I'm not sure wheter the single version, or the album version is worse, but to me I know that anyway you slice it it's just enough to make me cry. I know that pretty much Sting made the comment in 1988 that he didn't give a F**K about rock and roll, but in 1991 he comes back with a more pop sounding album, and it continues in 1993, and in 1996 he comes out with "Mercury Uprising", and it has a rock sound to it, but here he decides he's caught in a lie, and now decides to cover it up with numerous musical influences, and it doesn't wash.

Is Sting worse than Billy Joel ?.......2006-08-22

10 years ago I would have said " no it is impossible for anyone who has not actually committed a serious crime to be worse than Billy Joel". Today I know better. Sting has almost single handedly destroyed the ears and the soul of an entire generation of yuppies.

On the other hand Clapton probably stinks louder than even Sting.

Sting - BRAND NEW DAY (1999).......2006-07-12

Sting seemed to be on a roll in the early 90s, with his masterpiece THE SOUL CAGES and the outstanding TEN SUMMONER'S TALES. Unfortunately, his winning streak ended with 1996's MERCURY FALLING, a pretentious, unextraodinary addition to Sting's musical portfolio. In 1999, however, Sting made his comeback in a big way with BRAND NEW DAY. It was the ex-Police frontman's first venture into techno music, which he would continue to explore on his subsequent release, SACRED LOVE. Along with the exotic "Desert Rose", a surprise smash hit for the 50-something musician, there's a variety of delightful songs, including the hyptonic "A Thousand Years", the irresistible "After The Rain Has Fallen", and the mega-upbeat title tune. The album has a few oddities - "Tomorrow We'll See", about a transvestite hooker, redeemed by its shady bass line, and the cringeworthy, pretentious "Fill Her Up", undoubtedly the worst song of Sting's entire career - but for the most part, it's a delightful melding of jazz, alt rock and techno. Over thirty years after a band called The Police burst on to the music scene, Sting still rocks.

Average customer rating:

Stand Out Rose
The only song by Sting I like
Victor Calderone's Mix Is Absolutely Flawless!.
Foreign Cheb Mami Makes This Song
Sting is inspired!

Desert Rose/Brand New Day
Sting , and Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms
You Still Touch Me
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Brand New Day
Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994

ASIN: B00004SWIC
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

Desert Rose (Radio Edit)
Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix Radio Edit)
Brand New Day (Murlyn Extended Mix)
Brand New Day (Murlyn Radio Mix)

Customer Reviews:

Stand Out Rose.......2006-06-27

Arguably for so many artists, the songs have to be vital to what makes them good or bad on the radio and television. For somebody like Sting, he has been one of the most definitive, and meloncollie singer/songwriters of all time. His songs today like Every Breath You Take still capture hearts everywhere. His 2000 single, Desert Rose, the second track from his album Brand New Day is one of the most infectious and driven songs of the past several years. The song is not just upbeat, it is hypnotic to Sting & Cheb Mami's vibes. I still love this song today, because it is just great to dance to, and a joy to still hear today. I just honestly wish Sting can come back with another record soon. His songs are very unique.

Song: B+

The only song by Sting I like.......2004-11-30

I have to confess, I am not a fan of Sting's music (with or without The Police). The one song I really do like by Sting is the Arabic influenced "Desert Rose", a duet with Cheb Mami who is a big artist in the Arab world. I loved the blending of western and world music. I bought this single primarily for "Desert Rose". I honestly did not care for the remixes for "Brand New Day", let alone the song itself. I do wish that I bought the import version which included the Victor Calderone remix of "Desert Rose". The Melodic Club Mix radio edit of "Desert Rose" was not bad but like I said, I wished I had the Victor Calderone remix instead. Still I must say that the Melodic Club Mix radio edit didn't alter the melodies like a lot of remixes have been done in the past. The song still has that beautiful melody that I fell in love with. Too bad Sting's other songs following "Desert Rose" lacked the punch that "Desert Rose" had.

Victor Calderone's Mix Is Absolutely Flawless!........2004-05-11

This is probably Sting's best dance tune-- throughout his entire career. There are 5 tracks included on this (Import) Maxi-single with 3 versions of ''Desert Rose''' and two versions of ''Brand New Day'' including the ''Murlyn Mix''.

''Brand New Day'' is a great song too-- but it's definitely ''Desert Rose'' you're looking out for, I guess.

Seeing that the collaborations with foreign vocalist Cheb Mami and with producer Victor Calderone make it one hell of a great song, dance or not...It's flawless. As well as the video was definitely one of the hottest videos that made a great intro for the year 2000 along with J Lo's ''Waiting For Tonight''.

This song definitely showcases a strong Arabic sort of North African/Eastern influence. The Album version is great but it is definitely Victor Calderone's ''Melodic Club Mix'' that got the song running N'1 on the Billboard\Dance Charts. It begins with a dramatic and wispy drum influenced entrance for the song, as it gradually work it's way through, while the beats become more prominent as Cheb Mami's perfect chanting kicks in, the song then takes it's time to work it's way to Sting's first verse, his voice also sounds very deep on this track. Soon after the vocals take a back seat, the violin strings make a great contribution to the song as it turns into a effect that builds up to Sting's determined and stirring vocals again. EXCELLENT MIX!!.

This is one of Victor Calderone's most flawless mixes ever-- along with the excellent drum mix he did for Madonna's ''Ray Of Light''.

I recommend Madonna's ''Ray Of Light (CD Single)'' in addition to this, if you liked Calderone's mix of ''Desert Rose'', then I'm absolutely positive that you'll like the mix he did for Madonna with ''Ray Of Light'' as it is something similar to this but strip away the eastern formula and add a tribal formula instead.

Enjoy!

Foreign Cheb Mami Makes This Song.......2001-09-29

What grab me about this song with Cheb Mami's smooth Alegerian voice. I was waching a music channel on television and wasn't really paying attention to the song or to Sting very much until Cheb started singing his foreign verses to the fast pace violins that accompanied him. It was very beautiful - reminded me of Indian or Middle Eastern New Age music. The rest of the song, after I decided to hear the whole song, is equally intense in the instrumental parts. I love the violens and arrangement of the music. They violins and drums sounded great together, almost hypnotic with Cheb Mami's voice, but Stings voice is really kind of blured, or mubbled. You can't really decipher his words, except for the chorus, and a nice chorus it is.

There are two versions of this song on the CD single. One is the regular radio version, and the other is the faster pace, melodic, somewhat of a dance version.

What I didn't like about the CD was the other song that was decidedly put to accompany it - Brand New Day. This song didn't match in intensity and style, and unfornately, Desert Rose overshadows Brand New Day. The background singers stand out in the second song, their strong voices give it more of a R&B or jazzy feel and spices it up, but this is a song that never grew on me.

Sting is inspired!.......2000-10-30

This is a great CD, the cut Desert Rose is almost like a victory song for those who live in the midst of the sands of life. I always thought Sting was a thoughtful essayist in his lyrics and his talent has caught my ear eversince his first successful single "Every Breath You Take". There's a genius in his music, and in the play of words of his songs. This CD has been a frequent background to some of my own "workouts" whether in just walking briskly across a "field of gold" or doing a few "military arts moves" in the silence of my living room. Desert Rose is just uplifting, and gives a spirit of victory to the mind.

Average customer rating:

Hit the ground dancing
no roots
Incredible!

Layali
Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Diwan 2
Dellali
Lazrag Saani
Du Sud au Nord
Live au Grand Rex 2004

ASIN: B0009XCD9Y
Release Date: 2006-11-27

Tracks:

Halili
Non G'Sera Non (Dmri Omri)
Gualbi Gualbi
(Leh) Inshallah
Tigi Tigi
Sabran (Ya Ghali)
Gaiye Bil Salama
Ahla Layali Omrina
Ajlissou (Fil Makha)
Nos Couleurs
Ellie Beina Intaha
Alik Maina
Amshi Btaring

Album Description

It's been five years since the immensely successful release of, Dellali, Cheb Mami's last studio album. Layali ( 'The Night' ) was produced in Cairo and Lebanon and finds Cheb Mami straddling Classic Arabic and urban Rai n' B singing styles. The album also features collaborations with significant Arab & Rai artists. 2006.

Album Details

2006, Studio Release from the 'king of Rai". 13 Tracks Recorded in Cairo, London, Madrid and London. The Labum is Produced by Kore and features Duets with K-maro, Elissa, Leslie and Kadim El Sahir.

Customer Reviews:

Hit the ground dancing.......2007-06-08

Only the comatose could resist moving along to the world beats on this beautiful and exciting album. Unlike dance music that is all beat and bass, one might be tempted to hum along with Cheb Mami's intensely melodic vocals - if one dares.

The whole of Layali is an invitation to celebrate life, so as the sole English line on the album encourages: "Come on baby, let's go dance!"

no roots.......2007-02-14

A friend got me a tape of Cheb Mami's Mela Mela when he was teaching English in Saudi Arabia. I liked that album alot and based upon that, I bought Layali. There are some good songs but overall, I found the cd to be very techno-pop and not very Algerian. I admit that as a white guy from the Midwest I am not hip to the youth culture of Algeria but Layali sounds to me like any other pop album from anywhere. In other words, it is nothing special.

Incredible!.......2006-12-13

If you have been exposed to Cheb Mami's previous works, you will not be disappointed in this album. Cheb Mami proves once again why he's at the top of the Rai totem pole. This CD has been on constant repeat in my car and my office for a good 3+ weeks now. Every track is a winner, Nos Couleurs has a little too much hip hop flavor for my taste but others might like it.

Average customer rating:

Cheb Mami Rocks!!!!!
Rai Fusion Served Up in Swirling Bazaar of Danceable Music
Sweet and refreshing - Mint tea for the masses
a mix of modern beats
A Pleasant Surprise

Dellali
Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rough Guide to Rai

ASIN: B00005KB9O
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Tracks:

Le Rai C'est Chic
Khalouni
Viens Habibi
Madanite
Rim Lachoua
Yahamami
Ana Oualache
Ma Vie 2 Fois
Tzazae
Zarartou
Mamazareh
Machi Chaba
Haoulou

Amazon.com

Paralleling the origins of the Western world's early rock & roll, punk, and hip-hop (as well as the blues and reggae), rai originated in Algeria's underclass as homegrown recreational art. The personal became political, and as its popularity (and controversy) grew, the music--marked by raw, provocative, and willful vocals--became a beautifully uplifting and rebellious expression, a flag claimed and raised high by Algeria's young. One of the form's earliest innovators, Cheb Mami fled to Paris where he has for two decades been a rising star, blending rai with dance, hip-hop, funk, and rock, in a string of ever-more accessible recordings. His international calling card, however, was backing Sting on the if-you-haven't-heard-it-you've-been-living-under-a-rock "Desert Rose." Neither a purist nor a misstep-fearing artist, Mami goes for broke with his brave new record, Dellali. Sinewy, sophisticated, and genre-expansive, Dellali features Mami's barbed-wire vocals cutting through multi-layered fields of wild and orchestral violin, accordion, cello, oud, and drums. In turnabout, Sting backs Mami on a track, and late Nashville sensation Chet Atkins is on guitar on backing vocals. But the most shimmering and soulful moments come when the London Community Gospel Choir bust a glorious move to make Dellali a grandiose explosion of nearly perfect sound. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Cheb Mami Rocks!!!!!.......2006-08-14

I first heard him with Sting on Dessert Rose, then with Zucchero& Co. That made me want to buy an ablum of just him and it was well worth it. I don't understand the languages he sings in but it isn't necessary. The spirit comes through!!!

Rai Fusion Served Up in Swirling Bazaar of Danceable Music .......2005-02-17

Like everyone else who was not familiar with rai, the Algerian-based percussive musical movement that has cut a wide swath in world music, I was introduced to Cheb Mami through his provocative singing on Sting's "Desert Rose". Upon a friend's recommendation, I bought this disc and was pleasantly surprised by its diversity and from-the-heart musical expression. While it does have that spice bazaar vibe that may seem alienating to those less amenable to what could be considered a niche market, the recording also presents a spirited mix of sounds - reggae, techno, gospel - without appearing to compromise the rai style Cheb Mami is attempting to spread worldwide.

Mami sings with seemingly great abandon with his recognizable falsetto voice, and it is this bravado that carries this highly rhythmic disc. He has assembled an impressive list of world-class musicians to help him - the late Chet Atkins, Omar Hakim, Nile Rodgers, Nitin Sawheny and in a fair trade deal, Sting. Most of the tracks are definitely ear-catching, but three stand out on their own - "Rim Lachoua", which has traces of Rodgers' late seventies-era sound mixed with a percolating bass/accordion combination; "Ana Oualache", a gospel number in an exotic setting that succeeds thanks to Indio-Anglo mixmaster Sawheny's blend of Mami's elevated voice with a back-up chorus (including Sting), string section, and digital beats; and best of all, the opening song, "Le Rai C'est Chic", which mixes his voice with some synthesized vocals that is irresistibly danceable. "Dellali" is a worthy introduction to rai-fusion, including exotic instruments like the djembe and derbouka, and certainly to the mesmerizing voice of Mami. Highly recommended for the more musically adventurous.

Sweet and refreshing - Mint tea for the masses.......2003-11-18

Dellali (The Beloved) is rai music for a cosmopolitan audience. The production is so tight, and the range of foreign music which is incorporated in the tracks so broad, that you might even call this pop music. Not an important distinction, but it gives you a hint why rai purists object to this album.

A word to those unfamiliar with rai: this music is to Algeria what banda/nortenas are to Mexico. Earthy themes are often expressed in a vulgar way. The melody melts away in the face of the thumpa-thumpa-thumpa of the chintzy MIDI-keyboard beats. Cheb Mami has always reached beyond those base elements. His music speaks of lovely and tender things. His voice is high and clear and always dominates the songs.

Dellali, however, is not entirely a rai album. The influences are true to the name: influences that penetrate each track entirely. For example, Ziggy Marley performs on "Madanite" and his participation is a crucial part of the track. This is no twenty-second solo thrown in to add ethnic flavor. "Viens habibi" features French chanson singer Charles Aznavour, and the accordion melody has a funky cabaret sound. So: rai fusion, if you need a designation.

This is good music. It's not challenging or cerebral music. But it's very warm and insanely danceable.

Let's all buy this album and celebrate the gorgeous voice of Cheb Mami, whose first solo American tour was cancelled after September 11. (He won't perform in his native Algeria, either, to protect the safety of his fans.) Naturally, if you can't enjoy his voice in concert, a CD will suffice. But maybe some brisk sales will entice him to come back on tour.

a mix of modern beats.......2003-05-31

Cheb Mami here has a mix of modern styles and fushion. While number 1 and 10 are catchy, most of the songs are a bit slow and sometimes hard to listen to.

I think it is a new direction from Meli Meli and he hasn't hit it too off by trying out some new styles of rai.

A Pleasant Surprise.......2003-04-09

I knew absolutely nothing about Algers and this kind of music, until one day I was in a music store sampling various new artists and came across Sting's "Desert Rose." I was deeply impressed by Mami's performance so I decided to sample his music. Mami was a very pleasant surprise to me. I love this CD, and its a blast to listen to. I think its an excellent blend of western and eastern music. It's fun to dance to and drive with! I hope all Americans will learn to appreciate this kind of genre, and make it as staple to their musical paletes.

Average customer rating:

A desert rose blooms
Amazing Album
RAI MUSIC
RAI MUSIC

Meli Meli
Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00003Q470
Release Date: 1999-08-23

Tracks:

Meli Meli
Alache Alik
Bledi
Rani Maak El Youm
H'Rabti
Hada Ch'Hal
Hatachi
Bekatni
Cheikh
Azwaw 2
Parisien Du Nord
Marseillais Du Nord
Au Pays Des Merveilles (Azwaw)
Azwaw Alternative Mix

Album Description

Considered by Sting to be one of the best singers in the world & featured on his current hit 'Desert Rose'. Cheb Mami is an Algerian Rai singer & one of the most famous singers in France where 'Meli Meli' was released to platinum success. It's an awesome document that shows why Mani is one of the most respected middle-Eastern artists in existence today. 1999 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Rai in the 1980s was Algeria's Punk and Rap, a Music of Cultural Revolution and Youthful Defiance. The Many "Chebs" (Cheb Roughly Means "The Young") Played a Raw Music, Usually Stripped Down to Voices; Cheesy, Cheap Synthesizers; And Drum Machines, Heavy on the Bass and Full of Bad Attitude. But Chebs Grow Up, Make Money, and Become More Mainstream. Cheb Mami was There at the Beginning and Has Followed this Growth Pattern. Gone is the Rough Edge and in Its Place is a Smooth Sophistication, a More Worldly Blend of Pop and Folk Music from Africa and Europe. Meli Meli is as Much Paris as Oran, as Much New York as Algiers. Mami's Blend of Hip-hop and Rai Has Made Him a Hit Maker in France and a Symbol of Wealth and Success Back Home. Slick Production and High Energy Dominate this Music; It's Global Pop Now. While the Lyrics May Speak of the Streets of Paris, the Sound is No Longer from the Streets.

Customer Reviews:

A desert rose blooms.......2006-06-12

A great Middle Eastern CD!If you want a great introduction to rai,choose this one!

I reccomend the tracks "Meli Meli","Bledi" and "Azwaw 2." The last one pairs Arabic music with Celtic music.It is fantastic.These are the highlights,but there are no fillers.Perfect!

I wonder what has become of Cheb Mami since his collaboration with Sting in "Desert Rose." He's great!

Amazing Album.......2003-10-18

I love this CD. I bought it three years ago and still consider it one of my favorites. His songs are all toe tappers and his voice is UNBELEIVABLE!! I can't reccomend this CD enough. It is awesome from start to finish.

RAI MUSIC.......2000-12-26

I have been interested in rai music for a time being since I began to listen Rachid Taha's Diwan album. I first realized Cheb Mami in a song named Desert Rose by Sting and I was quite impresed with his voice. If you like to listen something different and you like to tap your feet while listening this album is simplt the best for you. I especially recommend this album to poeple who are already acquinted with arabic tunes.

RAI MUSIC.......2000-12-26

Average customer rating:

The Rebel Soul of Algeria
EVEN MY CATS LIKE IT!
Excellent introduction to rai

Rough Guide to Rai
Cheb Khaled , Cheb Mami , Abdou , Malik , Cheb Zahouani , Cheb Anouar , Cheikha Remitti , Bellemou , Cheba Nouria , Cheba Zahouania , Cheb Hasni , and Fadela & Sahraoui
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rough Guide to Arabesque
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The Rough Guide to the Music of Egypt
The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara

ASIN: B00006IIXP
Release Date: 2002-10-14

Tracks:

Ana aachki bahloul - Abdou
Lazrag saani - Cheb Mami
N'touma - Malik
Moul el bar - Cheb Zahouani
Moulay Ibrahim - Cheb Anouar
Guendouzi mama - Cheikha Remitti
Nediha gaouria - Bellemou
Consulat - Cheba Nouria
Shab el baroud - Cheba Zahouania
Menghirek entia fi dounia - Cheb Hasni
Ya loualid - Cheb Khaled
La verite - Fadela & Sahraoui

Amazon.com

Born out of the cabarets, brothels, and bars in the seaside district of Oran in Algeria, raï is an Arabic musical reaction to rock & roll and disco. The differences are evident in the beat and lyrics, which are less polite and more sexual. While this collection culls 12 tracks from a time when the grassroots music was sold on cheap--and cheaply produced--cassettes, there are bright spots. Cheikha Remitti's more traditional sound is a welcome respite from the cheesier productions. Malik's "N Touma" uses samples to create a pleasantly edgy collage. The funkiest track comes from Cheba Nouria, whose "Consulat" boasts electro groove and a bit of reggae syncopation. Cheb Mami and Cheb Khaled tracks sound dated, but they provide enlightening and entertaining comparisons with both artists' more recent works. Though this is a fine overview of the music's early years, curious fans should explore more sophisticated recent efforts by the two gents. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

The Rebel Soul of Algeria.......2006-10-03

Few things are as quintessentially Maghrebi as Rai music. This compilation showcases the incredible variety of the modern Algerian sound, stretching back to the earliest pioneers of Rai music like Cheikha Remitti and going up to modern day legends like Khaled, Cheb Mami and the late Cheb Hasni (who was a hit across North Africa, despite not being as well known in the west as Khaled or Cheb Mami). All the big names are featured here. Theres the driving rhythms of Fadela and Sahraoui on "La Verite". The cross dressing pop star Abdou contributes a track, "Ana Aachki Bahloul". And even "Shab el Baroud," a song by Cheba Zahouania praising the Algerian mujahideen freedom fighters. This CD is an essential guide for understanding Rai music, the very heart and soul of Algeria. Anyone interested in Arabic music should definately go out and buy this CD. It's definately a different side of Algeria than that frequently featured on the news.

EVEN MY CATS LIKE IT!.......2003-08-26

yeah, ok, my cats like everything, this is a very musical household, but seriously, they were getting a little bored of the same old arabesque cd's and were ready for something a little edgy and bold. this cd certainly fit the bill. the music is hard, biting, and yet retains it's uniqueness and rhthym. it reflects it's moroccan and arabic influences, but has a slight central asian feel to it that really makes it interesting. if you've ever considered stepping just outside the box, then the music of algeria is certainly worth a listen. my cats would definitely agree.

Excellent introduction to rai.......2002-11-30

The Rough Guide to Rai is the music of modern Algeria: politically-charge lyrics layered amongst Arabic instruments and beat-driven pop. You can think of it as the north African equivalent to reggae, unencumbered by the need to stick to 4:4 rhythms.

The music ranges in sound from dancey pop to sweeping Egyptian orchestrals to breathy, intricate taqsims. The rhythms always take over, though.

Once again, the Rough Guide series has put together an excellent compilation. This is a perfect introduction to the genre, although I can't help but notice the absence of Rachid Taha.

Leos Janácek: The Cunning Little Vixen - Lucia Popp / Eva Randová / Dalibor Jedlicka / Vienna Philharmonic / Vienna State Opera Chorus / Sir Charles Mackerras
Average customer rating:

Mackerras champions Janacek brilliantly!

Cunning Little Recording

A wonderful animal opera

Leos Janácek: The Cunning Little Vixen - Lucia Popp / Eva Randová / Dalibor Jedlicka / Vienna Philharmonic / Vienna State Opera Chorus / Sir Charles Mackerras
Leos Janacek , Sir Charles Mackerras , Lucia Popp (Vixen) , and Vienna Philharmonic
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Janacek - From the House of the Dead / Mackerras

Janacek: Jenufa / Mackerras, Soderstrom, et al

Leos Janacek: Vec Makropulos (The Makropulos Case) / Lachian Dances

Janacek: The Diary of One Who Disappeared

The Bartered Bride

ASIN: B0000041RA
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Prelude - Vienna PO/Sir Charles Mackerras
Act One: 'Donstaneme bourku' - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act One: 'Kmotrenka zakoncertovala si take?' - Miriam Ondraskova
Act One: 'Mami!' - Lucia Popp
Act One: Pantomime - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act One: Na dvore jezerske - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act One: 'To cucis Lapaku' - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act One: Ze nevis, co mame?' - Zuzana Hudecova
Act One: Pantomime - Vienna PO/Sir Charles Mackerras
Act One: 'Melas delat podliva mne!' - Libuse Marova
Act One: 'Hled'te sestry jakeho mate vudce!' - Lucia Popp
Act Two: 'Ach!' - Lucia Popp
Act Two: 'Ano, ve Strani bude daleko lepe' - Richard Novak
Act Two: 'Domu? Pro ten snupec tveho spani? - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act Two: 'Bud'to mam teziste pohyblive' - Vladimir Krejcik
Act Two: 'Pomni, abys byl dobrym muzem!' - Richard Novak
Act Two: 'Bozinku, ten je hezke!' - Lucia Popp
Act Two: 'Kradla jsem!' - Lucia Popp
Act Two: 'Zlatohrbitek, lisaks krouzkovymi pesky' - Eva Randova
Act Two: 'Kdybyste vedeli, co ja videla' - Eva Zigmundova

Tracks:

Act Three: 'Dez sem vandroval, mozeka hrala' - Vaclav Zitek
Act Three: 'Bezi liska k Taboru' - Bratislava Children's Chor/Elena Sarajova
Act Three: 'Kolik jsme uz meli deti?' - Eva Randova
Act Three: 'Nusu dule!' - Vaclav Zitek
Act Three: 'A kde otec Pasek?' - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act Three: 'To uz ne!' - Vladimir Krejcik
Act Three: 'Nerikal jsem to?' - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act Three: 'Hoj! Ale neni to Bystrousky!' - Dalibor Jedlicka
Act Three: 'Totok nejesem ja' - Peter Saray
Orch Suite: I. Andante - Vienna PO/Sir Charles Mackerras
Orch Suite: II. Andante - Vienna PO/Sir Charles Mackerras

Customer Reviews:

Mackerras champions Janacek brilliantly!.......2003-04-07

What a combo Amazon offers Janacek fans. "Jenufa" and "The Cunning little Vixen" are absolute masterpieces and in the hands of the composer's greatest interprepter, Mackerras, these recordings are non-pareil. The singing of Soderstrom and Lucia Popp make any other recordings a redundancy and an act of futility. Ravishingly beautiful is the only way to describe their performances. These superb recrodings are in the case of "Vixen" , a momument to the healing power of the act of creation. and in the case of "Jenufa" a monument to the victory of human compassion and its power of heallng.. All singers bring glory to the music and the Vienna Philarmonic plays as one born to perform this music as no other orchestra. These cds belong in your collection: deeply moving experiences that only improve upon contnued listering. Bravo to Mackerras for his one man renaissance of Janacek's masterpieces. Let us not forget "Katya Kabanova" a third member of this holy trio. As in "Jeunfa" Sodertsrom triumphs in this work as well.

Cunning Little Recording.......2003-01-19

Excellent recording of an intruguing work. I bought this particular recording because of the strong lineup of musicians: Sir Charles Mackerras conducts- he seems to be one of the reigning Janacek experts these days, and Lucia Popp is a very highly charged Vixen. Of course, the orchestra (Vienna Philharmonic) deserves recognition, too- they did a fine job on this recording. I don't know many different interpretations of this opera, having mainly just listened to this CD set countless times, but it's definitely worth owning.

If you don't feel like spending the money for CD's of the entire opera, the condensed [orchestral] version is also well-written, but it does leave out some fine musical moments. The orchestral version has been recorded many times by different people, and it's relatively easy to find.

A wonderful animal opera.......2002-05-29

Czech composer Leos Janacek wrote a series of operas late in his life: Kat'ia Kabanova, Cunning Little Vixen, The Makropoulos Affair, and From the House of the Dead, in that order. All are magnificent, standing with the very best work of the Czech masters Smetana and Dvorak. Even among those late operas, though, Vixen stands out because of its vibrant orchestration and easy approachability. It is quite popular, and it has even been featured in an animated version for TV by Geoff Dunbar of Peter Rabbit fame.

The story revolves around the Vixen, who is a real fireball, always gracefully foxing her way in and out of tough situations with the force of her personality. This character is played by a soprano in a fox costume, in this case Lucia Popp. I'm not sure if she wore the costume in the studio, but she may well have, because she gives her part a wonderful vivaciousness and gusto - you can almost imagine glistening fangs as she heatedly preaches to the hens about oppression. Her spirited tone adds immeasurably to the recording as a whole.

The adult male leads, who play human parts (the Schoolmaster, the Forester, and the poacher Harasta), also do a very fine job. In particular, their Czech diction is exemplary, though with the sound of the Vixen resonating in the ears they sometimes sound Germanic by comparison.

And the children! The dance at the beginning of Act III, which depicts the Vixen with her cubs recognizing and defusing a trap, is one of the greatest examples of synthesized folk music I've ever encountered. The children's choir hired for this recording sing the melody, built on the Lydian mode and the whole-tone scale, flawlessly, vigorously and rhythmically.

Through all this, Mackerras shows the utmost sympathy to the bright colors and poignant orchestrational details. And the Vienna Philharmonic, often among the most conservative of ensembles, play brightly and faithfully, with solo passages that sound exotic and brilliantly evoke animal sounds.

This is simply a great recording. Not to be missed.

Average customer rating:

Du Sud au Nord
Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Meli Meli
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ASIN: B0000V07JS
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Tracks:

Des 2 Cotes - Cheb Mami,
Parisien du Nord - Cheb Mami
Madanite - Cheb Mami, Ziggy Marley
Desert Rose - Cheb Mami, Sting
Cosi Celeste - Cheb Mami, Zucchero
Nagumomo - Cheb Mami, Susheela Raman
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Clando - Cheb Mami
Youm Wara Youm - Cheb Mami, Samira Said
Fugitif - Tonton David, Mami
Best Times of Our Lives - Aswad, Mami
Koum Tara - Enrico Macias, Mami
Azwaw - Idir, Mami

Album Description

2003 compilation featuring duets with, Baby Girl, Enrico Macias, Zucchero (Gregory Isaacs cover), Ali Campbell of UB40, plus four previously unreleased tracks. This French pressing features one bonus track, 'Desert Rose' (featuring Sting). Copy Controlled. EMI. 2003 compilation featuring duets with, Baby Girl, Enrico

Album Details

Compilation of Duets Recorded by "King of Rai" with Internacional Stars Such as Sting, Zucchero, 113, Enrico Macias, Aswad and Many Others.

Customer Reviews:

:D.......2004-12-30

This is an awesome combination of bizzare and enjoyable songs, it's embarrasing that I can barely understand what he's saying (since I'm arabic) but even if you have no clue what he's saying you'll still love it, and if you do understand the algerian dialect and some french then you'll L-O-V-E LOVE this album. I'm learning slowly the algerian dialect and from what I understand, Cheb Mami's songs are gorgeous!! My favorite song is Haualo (sp?) and from what I know he's singing about how he always waits for this girl (or wife) to come back to him at night... I call it the insomniac song, i sing it to my chemistry book (yeah, i'm weird, get over it). Any ways, get this disc, YOU'LL LOVE IT!

Average customer rating:

Eye Opening
talent
Great for listening or dancing
An incredible vocal display
fantastic album

Meli Meli
Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00001QGLA
Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

Meli Meli
Alache Alik
Bledi
Parisien Du Nord
Rani Maak El Youm
H'Rabti
Hada Ch'Hal
Hatachi
Bekatni
Cheikh
Azwaw
Parisien Du Nord (Remix)
Marseillais Du Nord

Amazon.com

Rai in the 1980s was Algeria's punk and rap, a music of cultural revolution and youthful defiance. The many "Chebs" (cheb roughly means "the young") played a raw music, usually stripped down to voices; cheesy, cheap synthesizers; and drum machines, heavy on the bass and full of bad attitude. But Chebs grow up, make money, and become more mainstream. Cheb Mami was there at the beginning and has followed this growth pattern. Gone is the rough edge and in its place is a smooth sophistication, a more worldly blend of pop and folk music from Africa and Europe. Meli Meli is as much Paris as Oran, as much New York as Algiers. Mami's blend of hip-hop and rai has made him a hit maker in France and a symbol of wealth and success back home. Slick production and high energy dominate this music; it's global pop now. While the lyrics may speak of the streets of Paris, the sound is no longer from the streets. --Louis Gibson

Album Details

New Succesfull Album from the Franco-algerian Star of Rai Music. Includes the Single Au Pays Des Merveilles (Azwaw).

Customer Reviews:

Eye Opening.......2003-07-18

This was my first Cheb Mami cd I purchased and he quickly became one of my favorite artists. Even if the listener doesn't understand what he is saying due to the language difference, Mami's voice still speaks to the audience and is just incredible. The tracks called Parisien Du Nord are some of my favorites since it is done with a French rap artist. I highly recommend this cd to Cheb Mami fans new and old.

talent.......2003-05-31

Cheb Mami is quality and talent. This cd is my favorite of his. This cd seems to contain some more "traditional" rai and middle eastern rhythms. #3 is magical and so is parisien du nord. The tracks on this cd are diverse and magical to listen to again and again. Gotta love his voice.

Great for listening or dancing.......2003-05-02

Cheb Mami has one of the most appealing voices today. I played this CD in my car for weeks before I wanted to listen to anything else. I am currently choreographing to Aswah (#11); next I may get to #8 (I am a bellydancer) Rai can be described as a head-on collision between traditional middle eastern music with rock'n'roll and a good dose of rap. Ain't it funny how fusion can often bring forth the best (in people and in music.....my philosophy for the day)

An incredible vocal display.......2002-12-08

Unlike, it appears, the rest of the world, I was not informed of Cheb Mami's presence by his duet with Sting on "Desert Rose". I first came across this amazing singer via his work with K-Mel on "Parisien Du Nord".

For those unaware of Rai music, it is a style from Algeria and other countries in northern Africa. Rai has a percussive sound and, as with many traditional forms of African music, is often used to make metaphorical social comment. The most startling feature of Rai, however, is the vocal range of the singer. Many people are amazed to hear that Cheb Mami is male after hearing his work on "Desert Rose", his range is easily the equal of the American RnB singers - and he is capable of jumping quite freely from octave to octave as the whim takes him.

"Meli Meli" is thus an album in an unheralded style by one of its foremost exponents - quite tough billing to live up to. Mami delivers on that promise with talent to spare.

Most of the lyrics, especially Mami's, are delivered in Arabic. While there are many music fans who feel as though they must know what is being sung about in order to enjoy the song, one listen to tracks like the title track, "Bledi" and any of the versions of "Parisien du Nord" will dispel that view. The liner notes give information about the subject matter - which isn't that far different from western music; love, being out of love and wanting to be in love all feature quite strongly - but the words are largely immaterial. When Mami sings about his feelings for a woman in "Meli Meli", there can hardly be a person who doesn't know exactly what he means.

The arrangements are also very creative. From traditional-sounding drum beats on the original "Parisien", through to the funky beats propelling "H'Rabti" and the "Parisien" remix, it is clear that Cheb Mami is in touch both with the roots of his musical tradition and with its future. One thing in common across the album is that the arrangements all provide Cheb Mami with a chance to show off his vocal chops. I say "show off", but his prowess is never the sole reason for a song's existence. Cheb Mami clearly knows when to put the focus on the music rather than the vocals.

Despite the titles of the tracks, "Parisien du Nord" (the standout track of the album) actually appears three times. The first version is the slow-building version at track 4. This track focuses on the vocals and is very much strengthened by that decision. The second version, credited as a remix, is set off by the rapping of K-Mel of France's Alliance Ethnik. The combination of French rap - of a standard much higher than most American rap - and Arabic singing is truly spell-binding. Certainly this remix is not for the Rai purist, but neither is the rest of the album. "Marsellais du Nord" is also "Parisien du Nord" but under a different name and with different personnel. This remix features rappers from France's "south coast" scene, a scene with traditionally a harder sound than the Parisian scene.

Overall, "Meli Meli" is a superb album and one very much worthwhile checking out - especially for those who are interested in what Cheb Mami sounded like before he recorded with Sting. Even if you aren't, this is a wonderful album to have as background music, the listener can involve themselves as much or as little in the music as they want.

fantastic album.......2002-11-24

Meli Meli is a fantastic album. If you like this sort of music, check out Cheb Khaled's album "Sahra"