world

Rai is Algerian pop and folk music that express the pain of people frustrated by years of civil war and economic difficulties. Nevertheless, like the Blues, this music can be upbeat and invigorating: Rai is heavily syncopated and offers polyrhythms similar to what you’d hear in West African music. The liner notes include a history of the genre, singer biographies, and personnel lists. All tracks are well produced and performed, so take your pick. Track 1 is the most upbeat. Artists include Cheb Zahouani, Cheb Hasni, Bellemou Messaoud, and Cheb Tarik, among others.

This music from Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Mali offers a variety of moods and textures celebrating the diversity of Saharan musical culture. From the bluesy-rock Mariem Hassan to the bright tempo Groupe Oyiwane to the dirge-like Tinariwen; from the haunting Sahraoui Bachir to the stark, almost primitive sounding Tartit Ensemble, to the hypnotic Compagnie Jellouli & Gdih. If you want to chill, go with Chet Fewet Or Hasna el Becharia or Malouma.

If you like Ravi Shankar, you’ll like this CD. Amjad ali khan is a virtuoso of the Indian sarod, a fretless string instrument that sounds halfway between a sitar and a lute. He’s accompanied by some lovely tabla playing. This set includes eight original ragas, most running about 7 minutes. All are instrumental except #8, where his husky scat singing suggests the Louis Armstrong of Bangash.