Maxime Le Forestier Talents Genres:International Music, Pop This album contains the 'Taxi Cab Chase Music' from the Fifth Element. This song, 'Alech Tradi,' is not available on the soundtrack album for the Fifth Element, only here.
This album contains the 'Taxi Cab Chase Music' from the Fifth Element. This song, 'Alech Tradi,' is not available on the soundtrack album for the Fifth Element, only here.
CD Reviews
Ought to be massively popular the world over
m_noland | Washington, DC United States | 11/25/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"true story I: i was getting married in africa and we had to get a band. i was traveling so my wife and best friend go out to check out the recommended band and come back with a report that "they can play anything" and "want to know what you want to hear." veritable human jukeboxes. right. so if these guys are so accomplished, let them try this on for size, and i flip them a tape of "n'ssi n'ssi."a couple of weeks later, i stumble into the wedding reception and this band strikes up a dead-on perfect version of "serbi serbi." they had everything but the steel guitar. threw in a cover of "n'ssi n'ssi" to prove it wasn't fluke. came up to me afterwards and asked if i had anymore khaled tapes. wanted to learn more songs. heard that they now cover "didi" and "aisha" as well.true story II: my buddy, who doesn't speak a word of arabic, walks into my house and "serbi serbi" comes up on the player. "this guy has lost his girl." i guess some things are universal.the lesson in all of this, is if you're interested in hearing some new music, or rai, or khaled, or you're just the Writer from running times who wants to know what world record marathoner khaled khannouchi listens to in his car, check this out. you won't be disappointed. i've got african wedding bands and college professors the world over as my witnesses."
I Can't Get Enough of this CD!
planet suzanna | Seattle | 12/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Even though this is one of the older Rai CDs out there (1993), it is still, by far and away, the very best I've heard. And I have been listening. If you're new to Rai, this is definitely the one to hook you. If you're not new, you still must have it. And if you have no idea what Rai is, but you know how to appreciate that Quincy Jones style funk, then check out what this MUSICAL MASTER does with that American homegrown sound.However, if all Khaled did was mix American funk production with traditional music, he would be just another good world music artist. But try to wrap your mind around a mélange of North African arab lyrics and insruments that incorporate funk, tango, jazz, and Mediterranean salsa, backed by a doumbec percussion, played by an airtight band that just locks every time.I'm ready for the concert!"
Another Great Hit from the King of Rai!
planet suzanna | 08/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my 4th CD fro Cheb Khaled...Rai is my favourite type of music..the mixture of arabic style music with western beats with a touch of meditteranean music...makes up a great CD..not to mention Khaled's exotic voice, extraordinary personality and his sweet ever-so-smiling-face!! This is one of my Top 5 CDs..."
Beautiful & Colorful (No Language Barriers)...
Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 11/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have finally discovered why the elusive and famous chase-scene track Alech Taadi from the movie The Fifth Element was missing from the Eric Serra soundtrack score; It's not his song (though, there are striking resemblances instrumentwise between Khaled and Serra).This song itself is worth the album. It is richly flavored in French, Arabic, and Spanish(salsa) sounds. The rest of the entire album is just as rewarding for the listener as well. Khaled's music not only transcends styles or genres in pop,Arabic, electronica, etc. but it is true that music like this is universally global !I never knew what Rai music was about or what it sounded like (I'm sure I need more education on it). However, I know what I like...and to just "like" this 1993 Khaled project is an understatement. From the first to the last track on the first listen of the entire disc left me in a mesmerized and impressionable daze !Do not pass this gem up nor take it at face value for it's intoxicating and danceable pop rhythms; It is so much more. The helping hand from Don Was proves invaluable as well...Now, I can truly understand when my friends (who are non-Spanish or do not speak or understand Spanish) used to say about listening to Spanish music,"That is beautiful music,though I don't understand the lyrics !" N'Ssi, N'Ssi c.d. jacket slip cover contains the lyrics from Arabic to English; The lyrics are poetically astounding in talking about broken hearts and other daily personal human experiences (in the English translation). I would only marvel at the possibility of hearing Khaled put out a project sung in English or Spanish. --- Anyway,it's all UNIVERSAL !..."
"I bought this album mainly because Alech Taadi is featured in the cab chase scene in The Fifth Element. I had also previously heard various rai artists in Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant in New Haven, CT, but wasn't enamored enough to actually go out and purchase anything. Now that I've bought this album, I'm a convert. Rai is so dang cool; it flows and moves and twists and turns and fully makes you feel like moving. It's definitely for anyone who likes reggae or good dance techno. Go get it!"
