Live
Rachid Taharules the rai music scene with a hip sound that gathers up both the desert  rhythms of North African traditional music and the unbridled energy of rock and  electronic dance music. A genuine global star, Taha plays to the masses in  Africa, Asia, and Europe, and some Americans have been lucky enough to see this  galvanizing performer in midsize clubs. In either setting there is a heady  atmosphere of a wild Algerian frat party that is barely under control. Recorded  during a single show in Brussels while touring behind the excellentMade in Medina(five of  the set's 11 songs are from this album),Livefeatures great tunes  performed by Taha's working band and a few special guests.Livealso  captures the essence of the Taha performance. Sometimes bantering good-naturedly  with the crowd in French, sometimes whipping them into a cheering frenzy, Taha  proves that he is the consummate entertainer. This album is what live music is  all about--great music, good times, and hanging out with people.--Tad  Hendrickson