1 2 3 Soleils
This CD documents an epochal 1998 performance by three Algerian  singer-composers.Khaledis the undisputed king of rai, a rebellious, Western-influenced style spawned in  the port city of Oran. As he was in constant danger from outraged Muslim  fundamentalists, he fled to Paris. Later on,Rachid Tahaformed a  rock band called Carte de Sejour (Green Card), which addressed the concerns of  downtrodden immigrant populations in France. Last but not least, the talented  newcomerFaudelis often  referred to as Khaled's heir apparent. The 13 tracks include such monster hits  as "Didi," "N'ssi N'ssi," and "Chebba," plus "Aicha"--a bit of ear candy from  Jean-Jacques Goldman--and the French pop chestnut "Comme le Habitude." This is  easily one of the best-engineered live recordings ever made, capturing the  empathy shared by the singers and a wildly enthusiastic audience while providing  an indelible sense of time and place.--Christina Roden