1, 2, 3 Soleils

On September 26, 1998, in Paris, France, one of the major events of Algerian music took place -- the concert termed 1,2,3 Soleils. Together on the same stage Khaled (the king of rai), Rachid Taha (the musical rebel), and Faudel (rai's young prince) entertained a crowd of over 14,000. It was a coming of age for the music and for the Algerians themselves, too long regarded as second-class citizens. The audience's excitement is palpable right from the start, as the orchestra (arranged throughout by former prog rocker Steve Hillage) launches into the instrumental "Khalliouni Khalliounni" to massive cheers that only become louder as the three principals take the stage to share vocal duties on "Menfi." From there it's a series of duets and solos and two more trios in the middle before they come together for three more tunes at the end, culminating in an explosive version of the classic "Ya Rayah" before closing out with "Comme D'Habitude." It's great music that is expansively performed and the album is a commemoration of a moment that's as much historical as musical.