Tags: Arabic

Review: Props to new label Smiling C, which debuts with a thrilling collection of tracks by obscure 1980s Moroccan rapper Shams Dinn. Originally, the label intended just to re-issue his sole single, 1987's brilliant electro-funk/rap hybrid "Hedi Bled Noumo", but quickly discovered that he had a wealth of unreleased material ripe for release. These six previously unissued tracks, which mostly join the dots between original New York electro, synth-pop, P-funk and boogie with a few trademark North African touches, are all on a similar tip to his most famous outing. More impressively, they're all unbelievably hot dancefloor workouts that deserve wider recognition. In other words, you need this in your life.

Review: After successfully showcasing his wares via EPs on GAMM, Razor N Tape and Barefoot Beats, fast-rising re-editor Elado pitches up on Bonfido Disques for the very first time. The resultant 12" contains some of his most interesting re-edits yet, with Elado cunningly opting for eccentric and oddball source material. 'Deepy Mango' sounds like a cross between proto-house, post-punk synth-pop and Kwaito - and that's a great thing in our book - while 'Space Lokum' is a throbbing revision of what sounds like a North African electro-disco obscurity (an Arab take on the Giorgio Moroder sound, basically). Over on the flip, 'Massi Tobi' is a boogie-era tropical disco gem from the Francosphere given a subtle makeover. In a word: excellent!

Review: Some compilations are clearly a labour of love. That's certainly the case with Sharayet El Disco, a superb collection curated by Amsterdam-based Egyptian DJ Disco Arabesquo (real name Moataz Rageb). It dips into his ever-expanding collection of hard-to-find Egyptian disco and boogie cassettes released between 1982 and '92, offering up a selection of colourful dance tracks that frequently add Arabic vocals and instrumentation to authentic, American style disco and boogie grooves. Highlights are plentiful, from the stomping disco surge of Afaf Rady's 'Tany Tany' and the glossy, fretless bass-sporting synth-pop of 'Merci' by Simone, to the low-slung Arabic synth-funk of Frikit El Azdeqaa's 'Eqleb El Sheret', and the dreamy boogie brilliance of Americana Show's 'Yom Wi Lilah'.

Review: Bongo Joe and Sofa Records' third instalment of the Maghreb K7 Club Disco Single series dives deep into Algeria's vibrant 1980s scene, offering four tracks that shine a light on the region's overlooked gems. The A-side is led by two irresistible pop-boogie-funk tracks from Khaled Barkat: 'Galouli Enshara' and 'Zourini'. Self-taught and self-produced in 1983, Barkat's music was a hit at the time but got overshadowed by the rising tide of rai. His dynamic collaboration with Yazid Fentazi, Redouane Ayoub, and Mhenni Benlala resulted in a sound that blends infectious grooves with local flair. Now, for the first time, these tracks are on vinyl, offering fresh ears the chance to rediscover a key player in Algeria's pop history. Cheb Tati takes over on the B-side with 'Dub El Hammam', a heavyweight dub number that showcases his range as a rai vocalist. Tati was flown to London in 1989 to work with dub pioneer Denis Bovell, and this track is a standout from their sessions, merging the pulsating rhythms of reggae with a distinctly North African flavour. Closing out the release is the Kabyle band Asif, whose only known recording, 'Tafsut', serves as a fitting finale. Formed by three brothers in Lille during the late 70s, this beautifully crafted pop-boogie track captures the band's unique sound, bringing a sense of nostalgia and triumph to the collection.

Review: Majid Soula is someone who uses music as activism. The Algerian-born, Amazigh artist lays down prominent guitar lines with driving drums and snaking synth lines to blend together worldly sounds such as highlife, disco, Kabyle sounds and funk. The sounds become a vehicle for Soula's political message which he delivers with style and wit. The artists says he is someone whose first concern is "to present a quality artistic work in order to contribute, however modestly, to the development and enrichment of our cultural heritage." He does it and then some with this more absorbing of records. It is sure to become a collector's cult classic.

Review: Malik Adouane is a singer who emerged as part of the so-called rai scene but after finding great success decided to evolve his sound and come up with a concept he called "after rai" which mixed up the traditional sounds of Arabic melodies with his own fresh and future-facing visions that you might consider to be 'Arabeat'. The album lays bare his musical vision and includes a highlight in the form of his superb cover of Isaac Hayes' 'Shaft' which cannot fail to get you dancing. This great fusion of Middle Eastern sounds with modern electronic beats is a beguiling one that will get you up and moving in no time.