Pitchfork

"Algerian trumpets, brilliant vocals, and heavy beat orchestration" litter the songs made by a cohort of Algerian musicians who laid the foundations for a form of folk music called Raï, according to a press release. Sublime Frequencies has collected eight tracks from this scene's heyday on a compilation called 1970's Algerian Proto-Rai Underground, which the world music label will release tomorrow (October 14).

1970's Algerian Proto-Rai Underground is an LP-only release with a single pressing of 1,500 copies. Each record comes in a gatefold jacket with photos of the musicians and liner notes from compilation curator Hicham Chadly.

1970's Algerian Proto-Rai Underground:

A1 Bellemou & Benfissa: "Li Maandouche L'Auto" ("He, Who Doesn't Own a Car")
A2 Groupe El Azhar: "Mazal Nesker Mazal" ("I'm Still Getting Drunk... Still")
A3 Groupe El Azhar: "Touedar Aakli" ("My Reason Is Lost")
A4 Bellemou & Benfissa: "Lah Lah Ya S'habi" ("My God! My God! My Friends!")
B1 Boutaiba Sghir: "Dayha Oulabes" ("I'll Marry Her Whether They Like It or Not")
B2 Boutaiba Sghir: "Malgre Tout" ("Despite Everything")
B3 Boutaiba Sghir: "El Fermlia" ("The Nurse")
B4 Cheb Zergui: "Ana Dellali" ("I Cuddle Myself")