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From Cairo to Casablanca, An Arabic Musical Odyssey, Putumayo World Music.
(review appeared in Pop Culture Press, web magazine, 2000)

The first of the Odyssey Series, which Putumayo has just launched, From Cairo to Casablanca is a quick overview of some of the genres of music existing in the Northern African region of the Arab World. Don't expect to hear any traditional or folk music in its indigenous form though. This is a mix of more modern music styles, which originated from such roots. The mix may not be as inclusive or documentary as the title would suggest, but is a delightful and rich one from some of the giants of each style.

More than half of the selection comes from Algeria. That would include three Rai songs by Khaled, Raina Rai and, the classically trained, Kadda Cherif Hadria. Kabyle music, largely based on the Berber traditions of Algeria, is provided by Idir who has established himself as a spokesperson for that population. Two other wonderful cuts (my favorites on the CD) are the remake of the Shaabi tune, Ya Rayeh, originally written by Dahman El Harachi and performed here by Rachid Taha. Ya Ma'alem, by Maurice El Mediouni is the other one. The delightful piano playing of El Mediouni is fit to capture anybody's heart. This is a pianist who plays a western instrument like one would expect an Oud or Qanun player to do creating the most wonderful sound (the oud & qanun are Arabic instruments which have the quarter tone tuning that is characteristic of the music).

The rest of the CD includes two cuts from Egypt, a modern Nubian song by the grandfather of the genre, Ali Hassan Kuban and one by a young group called Sharkiat. This is actually the most traditional of all the cuts. It is a Nahawand piece (an Arabic music mode or maqam) with the same title, spiced up with modern instrumentation arrangements.

Hassan Hakmoun, in collaboration with Jamshid Sharifi from Iran provides the Moroccan Gnawa flavored cut on the CD. Rasha and her sweet, sultry voice contributes the Sudanese presence in the compilation.