AHMED FAKROUN – s/t (LP Vinyl)
Insanely popular across the Maghreb, name-checked in international spy novels and beloved of music adventurers like David Byrne, Libyan superstar Ahmed Fakroun is the most astounding raï-disco-electronica pioneer you never heard of. His 1983 album, Mots D'Amour, recently reissued by PMG, is regarded as a global fusion classic. This self-titled anthology of songs from the late 70s is an altogether mellower affair. The grooves are slower and sweeter, and Fakrouns multi-instrumentalist chops on the saz, mandol and darbouka drum really come to the fore. The album includes tracks from two of Ahmeds rarest and most sought-after 7s. Nysan has an almost West Coast vibe: think Ned Doheny via Benghazi. Balearic-minded collectors will love the haunting flute runs in Awedny, produced by Tommy Vance, and Njoom Al Leyel. Theres even a touch of lilting reggae on Falah and Yu Hussad. Ahmend Fakroun is the perfect late night, come-down album. Especially after a hot and sweaty evening in a raï club, somewhere in North Africa. *PMG