Cheb Mami

I don't usually write reviews but what keith has written is just so embarassingly preposterous and uninformed that I couldn't help but correct him. The political situation in Algeria has almost nothing to do with Mami's music (he started making his music a decade before any of the stuff keith mentions happened) not only that but calling Mami the most important arab singer or even Rai singer is simply ludicrous, the guy has an amazing voice and ... well that's about it. Mami's rather endearing bufonnery and dimness are very known and the claim that there was any sort of 'political' weight or significance in anything by him is laughable. One last thing, his home town isn't and never was 'the centre' of the political unrest and the simple-minded way in which the review has presented the whole thing is frankly dispiriting.

To understand this DVD you have to understand something about its background. Cheb Mami is probably the most important Rai singer in Africa and possibly the most important Arab singer in the world. Nearly ten years ago a democratic election was held in Algeria, which the Islamic fundamentalist party won with a mandate to turn Algeria into an Islamic state. The incumbant government brought out the military to prevent this and still holds onto the country. This has bred simmering resentment and continual feuding. The centre of this is Cheb Mami's home town. Against this background the Rai singer and freind of Mami, Cheb Asti was assassinated. Cheb Mami's response to this has been to remain apolitical and to Westernise and popularise his music. To listen to his Rai at its best listen to earlier albums such as Cheb Mami. This DVD however is an important statement about his situation on the borders between the Arab Islamic world and the West. I am only happy that he is still allowed to make it.

Even if you are the artiest of posers, this piece of art will probably not appeal.

But since there has to be someone, somewhere, who likes that kind of show, leave it on the shelf, where, if there is a just God,it will stay.

This was a great documentary one of algeria's talented musicians.

This DVD really gives a mix of cheb mami as a singer and an ordinary man.

It is a great initiation to rai music too.

cheb mami also tell us what inspires him and how he keeps feet on earth.

A fantastic guide to the world of Cheb Mami, one of the leading lights of Rai.

the DVD features lots live performance, video singles, and an 'on the road' documentary vividly bringing to life the world of the instantly likeable Mami.

If you enjoy a fabulous voice, like Arabic pop, and want to get a handle on the fantastic music and culture of French north Africa, this is the DVD to pick up.