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TÉKITOI
Wrasse
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Rachid Taha is a maverick among Algeria’s rai rebels. Passionate young singers challenging social taboos took this street-wise hybrid genre to the global stage. Taha went farther, eschewing the slick pop of Cheb Mami and the feel-good funky rai of Khaled for a rough-edged rock vibe. His brooding cover of the Clash ("Rock el Casbah") is only the most obvious gesture in this 14-track feast. Producer/guitarist Steve Hillage heads a team of collaborators, but for all the techno grooves and layering of gnarly guitars, Middle Eastern instruments, and a blustery string section, Taha keeps it real with his gruff, edgy vocals. His voice extends from a ragged whisper to the mad roar that expresses despair, longing, and anger at "liars, thieves, killers, and oppressors." He’s a master of the terse, punk refrain on "Meftuh/Open" and "Safi/Pure"; he’s also capable of high-concept rock bombast à la Led Zeppelin ("Nah’Seb/I Count") and percolating, one-chord grooves reminiscent of Talking Heads ("Shuf/Look"). In other words, he’s an angry man looking for hope and beauty in a soiled, broken world. Rachid Taha + the Exit | July 7 | Paradise Rock Club, 967 Comm Ave, Boston | 617.562.8800
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