Algerian Tuesday

It's fair to say that the raï music that sprung up in late 1970s Algeria is not to all tastes. Unlike most of the so-called "world" music emanating from the countries that surround the Sahara Desert, this particular development of a musical form that had existed for forty or so years, incorporating electric influences and Western styles is considered in some way less "authentic" than say the nomadic blues of Tinariwen and Etran Finatawa, the guitar of Ali Farka Touré, or the Malian vocal stylings of Oumou Sangaré.

However, there is no doubt that raï musicians have done much to liberalise Algerian society, by allowing such hedonistic practicers as mixed dancing, in defiance of strict Islamic disapproval. Indeed, in 1994 prominent vocalist Cheb Hasni, who sang songs about divorce and the consumption of alcohol was murdered outside his home, and the following year Rachid Baba Ahmed, producer of "Raï Rebels" met a similar fate, so these singers aren't just playing for fun.

Here is the great Cheb Khaled, with a tune that's a little more traditional and less disco-synth heavy than his usual style