Zoom

Rachid Taha, “Zoom” (naïve; Wrasse import, 2013
ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses

After the disappointing “Bonjour” Rachid Taha has retrieved his swagger. This 8th studio album is (almost) back on track aided by producer Justin Adams - a Brit who has worked with Tinariwen (ZK #985046). A mix of musical genres and a host of guest artists. Less mandolute than Taha's previous work but truly “world” music. The album title (track 2) is a tribute to Umm Kulsum (Oum Kalthoum), blues, Dylanesque snarls, Khaled-style rai.

Try 1, 2, 7, 8, 11

Tracks
1. Wesh (N'Amal) [What to Do?] - Dylanesque ballad of lost love - 4:11
2. Zoom Sur Oum (Zoom on Umm Kulsum) - Begins with “the lady’s” “Inta ‘Umri;” Rachid responds by playing with it and at one point joins in - 4:09
3. Jamila - rock ‘n’ rai; a woman forced to marry a man chosen by her father- 4:21
4. Now or Never (feat. Jeanne Added) – Prominent mandolute and bendir save this otherwise weak cover of an Elvis tune - 4:23
5. Fakir – Cajun two step - 3:25
6. Ana (I) - a bit of country style, surf guitars, oriental flute (nay) - 3:41
7. Les Artistes – desert blues; I have no passport, I have nothing - 4:12
8. Khalouni / Ya Oumri (Leave me) [feat. Chaba Fadela] – Khaled influenced rock ‘n’ rai; shake your booty - 4:28
9. Algerian Tango (feat. Mick Jones of “the Clash” on chorus); Franco-Algerian punk; I don’t forget those who love me/ I don’t forget those who betray me.”- 5:10
10. Galbi (My heart) - south-western style of Calexico - 3:22
11. Voilà Voilà (album version; feat. Brian Eno, Femo Kunti, Agnès B & Eric Cantona)- heavy metal reprise of his in-your-face-France anti-racist anthem - 4:21