Tani

Since 2005, percussionist Samir Inal has navigated the treacherous waters between North Africa and France with dexterity. His commingling of rai, chaabi and Gnawa on the one hand, and brass-band explorations into jazz, funk and reggae on the other, is an unquestionable success with his French group Fanfaraï on Tani. This album ventures with confidence into both Arab-Andalusian and rai territory with as much confidence as it does in rehabilitating the big-band traditions of Oran (in north-west Algeria), or innovating reggae and funk textures with a Mediterranean shine. Much of these unlikely exchanges are cemented by vocalist Abdelkader Tab, whose endearing and singular voice provides welcome versions of standards by star rai singers such as Idir or Boutaiba Sghir.

The 11-piece band hopscotches around the Mediterranean basin, incorporating Turkish and Marseille-derived sounds in a merrily creative romp. Unsurprisingly, such ambitious explorations do sometimes fall flat. But the group provide a welcome musical antidote to the egregious wall between Algeria and Morocco, as artists from these nations (and others) collaborate, providing a rare musical feast of compact songs.