New Music From Rachid Taha on Calabash Music

Tekitoi

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:04:25 -0500

The last time Algerian rocker Rachid Taha made waves with a cover song, it was banned on French radio. He recorded Charles Trenet’s “Douce France” (think French Bing Crosby and you will get the picture), spitting it out in such ironic punk fashion that had France in an uproar. A leftwing politician seized the moment, delivering a copy to each French member of Parliament. Taha’s latest release, "Tékitoi" (Wrasse Records), features “Rock el Casbah,” an Arabic translation of the famous Clash song. And though the world has had over two decades to digest this song’s lyrics, it takes on new meaning when sung by a French Algerian who cut his teeth in the punk movement.

The Definitive Collection

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:04:25 -0500

Rachid Taha Live

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:04:25 -0500

French-Algerian singer Rachid Taha's view of world events is not one that's shared by many people. He was quoted recently by BBC's 'The World' as saying, "When I hear George Bush, and when I hear Osama bin Laden, I hear two bedouin nomads. The only difference he says, is that one of them is from the desert of Texas and drives an SUV, and the other is from the desert of Saudi Arabia and rides a dromedary." Taha says Bush and bin Laden come from similar well-heeled backgrounds. And both, he says, use a similar fundamentalist rhetoric.

Downloads for this album are only available in the U.S.

Made in Medina

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:04:25 -0500

Rachid Taha might be in his 40s, but he's still fueled by anger. His fire is all to evident on his new album, 'Made in Medina'. "It's a rock album," Taha says, "I like rock, I like the feel of it, the feel of punk, and it works well with North African music." The album also features a duet with Femi Kuti.

Downloads for this album are only available in the U.S.

Diwan/Live

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:04:25 -0500

Made In Medina/Ole Ole

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:04:25 -0500