About two and a half years ago, I jettisoned my prosperous Jai Alai career in exchange for the champagne wishes and caviar dreams world o’ blogging. At the time, I distinctly remember mocking music writers who championed the most esoteric music possible: ’40s Turkish Jazz. ’60s Croatian Psych. 18 th Century Prussian Waltz Music (Frederick the Great: Great enlightened monarch? Or greatest enlightened monarch?)

30 months later, I’m proud to report that my subconscious has decided to punish me for my sneering, self-righteous roots (a stark difference from my sneering, self-righteous, present, mind you.) Indeed, I’ve sipped the the Mint Tuareg Tea-flavored Kool-Aid, with a once fledgling interest in African music turned total obsession–my latest favorite, a compilation of 1970s Underground Algerian Rai released on the aptly named Sublime Frequencies label.

Dusted has the informative, thorough review , but in brief, conceive a cross between the smoky, wraith-like guitars of Tuareg Bedouin music and the heavenly bronze blast of classic 70s afro-beat. The lyrics are in Arabic so don’t look to me for an interpretation. All I know is that track two is called “Mazal Nesker Mazal (I’m Still Getting Drunk… Still.)” Ideal for that very special lush in your life.

Buy 1970s Algerian Proto-Rai Underground

Download:
MP3: Bellemou & Benfissa- “Li Maandouche L’Auto (He, Who Doesn’t Own a Car)”
MP3: Groupe El Azhar-”Mazal Nesker Mazal (I’m Still Getting Drunk… Still)”

Stumble It!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 at 3:00 am and is filed under Are You From the Lester Bangs School of Thought?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.