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EXUBERANT ALGERIAN RAI AT THE RAINFOREST
WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Raï is a homegrown genre of music that sprung up in Algeria.
This is the land that lies in northern Africa, , bordering the Mediterranean
Sea between Morocco and Tunisia. It’s the second largest country
in Africa after Sudan and has a semi-arid climate with high plateaus,
endless desert, breathtaking oases and volcanic mountains.
The word ‘raï’ literally means “a point
of view” or “a judgement”. In the past, people
would also go to a shikh to ask for his raï or his advice which
would then be given in the form of poetry.
Today, it is one of the popular expressions of song and dance in
modern Algeria. Its rhythm and tonal shape of its melodies originated
from Oran in western Algeria with influences from the Bedouin shepherds
and mixed with Spanish, French, African-American and Arabic music
forms. Though associated with the migration of people into the cities
during the depression of the 1930s, there are indications that raï
was already in existence as social entertainment music long before
that.
The main ingredient of raï is that it is dance music. Its music
style is to mix modern and western idioms with a traditional melodic
line. It is North Africa's version of rhythm and blues that has
survived despite attempts by Islamic fundamentalists to stamp it
out. Indeed, being a raï singer in Algeria today is to invite
violence as radical extremists view it as an affront to their religion
and morality. Raï was banned from all radio stations right
up to 1985.
Because the popularity of raï has become so widespread in Europe
and America, the top artists of this genre usually reside in Europe,
mostly France. One of the most famous raï singers is Cheb Mami
whose international acclaim came from singing with Sting in “Desert
Rose”. “Cheb” is a title used to describe young
men singers of the new musical style while the ladies are called
“chabas”.
Coming to the Rainforest World Music Festival is DJAMEL LAROUSSI
who used to play with Cheb Mami. He also has been in collaboration
with Chet Atkins, Graham Haynes and Karim Ziad.
He comes with an all men band even though raï was started by
female chanters. Djamel is a guitarist and a singer. His songs are
catchy, the rhythm is metrical, and the colours in his music come
from various influences.
He also plays the guembri which is lute drum with a low register.
This was used by the Master Musician in Gnawa rites, where, together
with the drums, put their followers into a trance.
DJAMEL LAROUSSI and his band stand at the other end of the spectrum,
balancing the raw authentic musicians who play very traditional
roots music.
It is the aim of the Rainforest World Music Festival to bring in
every year, as many different genres as possible from the big ocean
of what is now called “world music”.
Every July, exotic sounds, instruments and musicians from all over
the world gather at the foot of Mount Santubong at the Sarawak Cultural
Village for 3 days. It has been described as the party of the year.
Evening shows are usually full of buoyant energy while the more
intimate workshops are held over the 3 afternoons.
This year’s festival runs from the 8th to the 10th of July.
Apart from DJAMEL LAROUSSI , there will be bands from Pakistan,
Thailand, Canada, Iran, Ivory Coast, Belize, Colombia and more.
There will also be Sarawak groups who will be showcased alongside
the international ones.
There will also be food stalls, handicraft outlets in the village
which is about 45 minutes drive out of Kuching. The whole atmosphere
at the Rainforest World Music Festival is usually one of joie de
vivre – a tangible joy of life and a palpable sense of well
being where everyone is a friend in the making.
Tickets are already out on sale priced at RM60.00 per day and will
be valid for both workshops as well as the evening show. Children
aged 3 – 12 years old can obtain tickets at RM30.00 per day.
Free admittance would be extended to children aged 2 and below.
Tickets can be obtained from the Visitors' Information Centres in
Kuching, Miri and Sibu, the Sarawak Cultural Village, and Sarawak
Tourism Board or call Rudy at 082-423600 or e-mail: rudy@sarawaktourism.com
Packages are also available from several tour agencies and hotels.
Check out the website at www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com for more
information and contact numbers.
DJAMEL LAROUSSI is all set to party with his merry men. He is most
likely going to be the closing act of the festival on the Saturday
night with his happy, upbeat tempos.
Yeoh Jun Lin
Artistic Director
Rainforest World Music Festival
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