Baïda

by

Faudel

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Faudel - that's a mere twentyone year old singer, who shot to the French charts - and not only there - to number one with this great debut album of his and the massive hits "Tellement n'Brick" and "Baida" The reason why this album is so immensely pleasurable to listen to, is because of his uninhibited approach to different styles: wonderful spanish Flamenco and Latin sounds on "Omri", wild Drum 'n Bass on "Abadou", bone-hard French rapping on Dis-moi by the group Delta, Hip Hop on "Baida" (and another Hip Hop-version of "Tellement n'Brick" and an Oriental version of "Baida" which includes a beautiful Algerian String arrangement), this all is in fact Rai. A brave mixture of traditional Arab beats and melodies and Western sounds. Faudel sings in Algerian and French, accompanied in Spanish on "Omri". His voice sounds young as he is, very fresh, almost with a certain humour, his wailing always gets a grin on my face, and just beautifully fits into his compositions. Try this, if you like something truly exquisite, not only as a World music specialist, but as someone who likes to be challenged to quality music, from a place of the world, you wouldn't be sure instantly where to point to - North African coast. Enjoy!