Marra

Les Boukakes – Marra
Reviewed by Sadie O., 3/31/09
Gnawa/Rai-Rock by North African expats in France. This, their second album, seems more modern/rock/reggae and less Rai than their first (in our library), but it’s still an inventive and interesting combination of styles.
All in Arabic – FCCs doubtful. I like 1, 2, 9 and 10 best.
1. 3:15 ***random swingy percussion and low vocals for 25 seconds, then rock guitar and electronic gnawa beat – very cool.
2. 3:13 ***midtempo bluesy groove with keyboards and what sounds like a harmonium of some sort. Funky bit w/ spoken vocals.
3. 2:59 **uptempo spunky reggae.
4. 2:38 downbeat acoustic guitar, very mellow. Bit of electric guitar solo. Way too pretty for my tastes.
5. 2:39 *sort of a Southern blues rock.
6. 3:18 **gnarly gnawa hard rock w/ power chords. Glitchy electronics.
7. 4:26 **hand drums and electric guitar, rather cinematic minor key, slow and large-feeling.
8. 3:32 rather slick folk rock, with a nice little reggae break in the middle.
9. 3:47 ***groovy midtempo gnawa-funk bounce. A bit slick in the production, but an interesting mashup.
10. 3:23 ***gnawa blues, nice simple riff, some slow and dreamy bits.
11. 3:10 **low level intro for 15 seconds, then midtempo reggae with a bit of African blues sound in the bassline.
12. 3:18 *very low-key and relaxed, bluesy. Accordion solo.