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Khaled 1992.Oct.15 in Paradiso Amsterdam
source: gettyimages / picture: Frans Schellekens |
BIOGRAPHY
(till time of this session in 1992)
Khaled Hadj Brahim, better known to music fans as the Algerian Rai star Khaled, was born in Sidi El Houari, a suburb of Oran, on 1960 February 29.
At the age of 7 Khaled vowed that he would one day follow in the footsteps of his musical idols, Elvis Presley and Johnny Hallyday, and launch his own singing career. He formed his first group, "Les Cinq Etoiles", when he was 14 years old and began performing at circumcision feasts and wedding parties as well as on the local cabaret scene. Shortly afterwards Khaled was expelled from school and found himself free to devote all his time and energy to his singing career. In 1974 he recorded his first single "Trig El Lici" on a simple two-track tape recorder, the song became a massive hit on Algerian radio stations, but Khaled would not earn a penny in royalties from it.
Continuing to perform on Oran's thriving cabaret scene, Khaled wasted no time in modernising the traditional Rai sound. In 1976 the singer would replace the violinists in his backing group with a couple of electric guitar players. By the age of 17 Cheb Khaled had become a national star with five (poorly recorded) K7 albums to his name.
In 1982 Khaled would take his radical modernisation one step further, adding synthesizers and drum machines, meanwhile Khaled's lyrics remained as controversial as ever. The rising young star was soon adopted as a spokesperson for a whole generation of frustrated Algerian teenagers and his fan base would soon extend to the Algerian bourgeoisie (known locally as the "Tchi tchi").
In 1986 he was invited to France to appear at the prestigious Rai Festival held in Bobigny (in the Paris suburbs) in 1986. Performing on stage alongside the creme de la creme of the Rai movement, Khaled brought the house down with his deep, baleful vocals and his imposing stage persona. Following his success at Bobigny, Khaled released his first 7" in France, "Hada Raïkoum" (It's Your Law) was adapted from an original K7 recording.
In 1988 Khaled recorded his "Kutché" album in France, working with the renowned French 'world music' producer Martin Meissonnier, and the respected Algerian musician Safy Boutella. The album was only moderately successful, Rai connoisseurs considered that Khaled's radically modern approach 'denatured' the traditional genre.
Back at home in Algeria, things were proving increasingly difficult for Khaled. Renowned as an exuberant bon vivant and defender of the controversial Rai movement, Khaled was under threat from the rising tide of fundamentalism sweeping through Algeria in the late 80's and he would eventually leave Algeria to settle in France.
In 1992 the release his next album transformed Cheb Khaled into a veritable international star, he was dubbed the official 'King of Rai'. The album simply called "Khaled" - recorded partly in Brussels with the aid of producer Michael Brook, partly in Los Angeles with the legendary Don Was - would generate a whole string of hits for the Rai star including the best-selling "Didi". This single would not only rocket to the top of the French Top 50 (the first song recorded in Arabic to chart in France!), but "Didi" would also soar to the top of the hit-parades all over the world. "Didi" even became a surprise hit in India, where it was
translated in Hindi.
For more info check these links:
KHALED-19920915_Kershaw Session BBC (update)
tracklist: 1.Didi / 2.Wahrane /
3.Mauvais Sang / 4.Braya (two times!)
source: rec.1992.Sep.15 - bc.1992.Oct.24 Andy Kershaw BBC Radio 1
update: On tape is 2-times track 4.Braya, though announcement before the first is for 'Mauvais Sang', this could either mean a tape mix-up or really played like it is on the tape. I've update the download using all info and recordings I have, and will go after the missing track (will update here when receive any further info and/or music)
ENJOY THESE STRIPPED/PEELED DOWN VERSIONS!!
Discography
as CHEB KHALED1984: Atouni Oualdi Yamna (K7)
1984: Volume 3 (K7)
1984: Hada Raykoum (K7/LP)
1985: Moule El Kouchi (K7/LP)
1986: Cheb Khaled (K7)
1988: Ya Taleb (K7/LP/CD) with vocals by Chaba Zahouania
1988: Fuir, Mais Où? (LP/CD)
1988: Kutché - with Safy Boutella (LP/CD)
1989: Les Monstres Sacrés Du Rai - with Chaba Zahouania (LP/CD)
1991/92: Le Meilleur De Cheb Khaled (CD) / Vol.2 (CD)
very good compilations of 80s output
as KHALED1992: Khaled (CD)
1993: N'ssi N'ssi (CD)
1996: Sahra (CD)
1998: Hafla (CD, live album) recorded in France and Belgium, 1997 summer tour
1999: Kenza (CD)
1999: 1-2-3 Soleils - Taha, Khaled & Faudel (2CD, live) unique Raï concert Paris
2004: Ya-Rayi (CD)
2009: Liberté (CD)
2012: C'est la Vie (CD)
