Treasures of Algiers Chaâbi

Much like the traditional fado of Lisbon or the rebetika of Piraeus, chaâbi is often described as being the blues of Algiers. This might be a useful shorthand but it doesn’t really give this intriguing music its full due.

Chaâbi certainly came out of the experience of Algeria’s urban poor, but its roots lie in the Andalus music that goes back to the expulsion of the Moors from Spain in the 17th century. That sense of longing still runs through the

music, though the songs can also be quite playful and bawdy.

The style is a fascinating hotchpotch of traditional North African music and imported French chansons. The instruments used to accompany the songs reflect this mix, as oud (Arab lute) and Eastern percussion happily play long with piano and banjo.

Treasures of Algiers Chaâbi offers a chance to hear many of the genre’s foremost singers, from the vintage Cheik Zekri to the contemporary Nassima. However, where it lets us down is the lack of useful liner notes: at the very least, short biographical details about the singers would be useful to give the listener some sense of context.