Schoolhouse Rai
P. Bossert | 12/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A lot of rai releases by a singer or a band or even compilations by producer tend to be a little same-sounding (to Western ears?) as you get into the 8th or 11th track, which sometimes creates the impression that rai is not very deep as a genre. This collection puts the lie to that particular idea. Covering a wide range of artists and 15-or-so years, these four discs will provide you with musical revelations for months, if not years. You may not like every song on it, but after listening for awhile you will better understand why you like what you do like. A history lesson, rai appreciation course and dance party in one package."
Astounding
MuzikJunky | NYC | 06/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you tire of the overtly Western-sounding faux rai, or if you're new to rai music, this might be the definitive rai collection. If you can't get enough of the late Rachid Baba's production genius, look no further (he did the first track on disc 2, as an example, and a few others in this set). Despite the horrible opening track on disc 1 by Cheb Mami, which was featured in the film "American Cuisine," there's not a single bummer. The hypnotic, cheap-drum-machine, Casio-esque grooves are intact and as funky as ever. Some of the songs here can be found, rerecorded, on other compilations, but these here are the best versions. Especially good are the tracks by Cheb Khaled (recorded before he sold out), Chaba Zahouania (my favorite rai artist), Bellemou Messaoud, and Cheb Kamel el Oujdi (love that drum programming!). However, some classic rai (before synthesizers) can be found, but those tracks are great as well, especially the second track on the first disc (what songwriting!). Prepare to be amazed."
