Folkit mediterranee, episode 2: Rachid Taha (Algeria) and Kasbah Rockers (Morocco)
Rachid Taha was born in Algeria in 1958 and moved with his parents to Strasbourg when he was 10 years old. In 1983, he co-founded the band Carte de Séjour (“residence permit”) with other musicians. They played a mix of North African, Arabic and rock music and were quite successful.
Taha left the band but still recorded a CD with Carte de Séjour in 1997, featuring one of his most famous pieces: Ya Rayah. In the years that followed, Taha collaborated with people such as Steve Hillage, Brian Eno and Hossam Ramsy.
Like Rachid Taha, the Kasbah Rockers come from North Africa, specifically Morocco. And like Taha, they combine traditional sounds from North Africa with Western influences. The Kasbah Rockers gained attention with the CD they recorded with American bassist Bill Laswell. In 2010, Maghrebika, by Kasbah Rockers and Transglobal Underground, was released.
- Rachid Taha. Je T’aime Mon Amour
(Bonjour, 2009, Wrasse Records- WRASS251) - Rachid Taha & Carte de Séjour. Ya Rayah
(Carte Blanche, 1997, Barclay- 537 698-2) - Kasbah Rockers with Bill Laswell. Hellou Al Biban
(Kasbah Rockers, 2008, Barraka El Farnatshi- Barbarity 028) - Rachid Taha. Ida (Diwan, 1998, Barclay- 539953-2)
- Rachid Taha. Ach Adani (Diwan, 1998, Barclay- 539953-2)
- Kasbah Rockers. Foumben (feat. Amin Wayne) (2021, bandcamp)
- Kasbah Rockers. Peppermint Tea (Arabitronics Lounge Vol.1, 2010, bandcamp)
- Kasbah Rockers. Harissa (Lovers Only Mix)
(Harissa (Lovers Only Mix), 2014, bandcamp) - Rachid Taha. Rock El Casbah (Tekitoi, 2004, Barclay- 9819461)
- Rachid Taha. En Retard (Made in Medina, 2000, Barclay- 543 995-2)
- Rachid Taha. Galbi (Zoom, 2013, Naïve- NV827511)
- Maghrebika feat. Kasbah Rockers. Ya Sherel Beli (Transglobal Underground Mix) (Arabitronics Lounge Vol.1, 2010, bandcamp)
