1, 2, 3 Soleils (Mondo Melodia 2001)

by Chris NicksonIt was the biggest Algerian concert ever in France, with Khaled, the King of Rai, Faudel, the music's young prince, and Rachid Taha, the French-raised Algerian roots rocker. While there are plenty of greatest hits -- Faudel's groundbreaking "Tellement N'Brick" and Khaled's "N'Ssi N'Ssi," for example -- this live recording is just as much about sharing the stage, combining styles and generations. And so you have all three combining forces on the classic songs "Ya Rayah" and "Comme d'Habitude," Khaled and Faudel teaming up for a version of Khaled's 1996 hit "Aicha," and so on. They all get their individual times in the spotlights, but cooperation is the key, backed by a crack band of Western and North African musicians. As a document of a landmark event, it's important. But taken on purely musical terms, it's a thrilling performance, with each of the stars right at the top of his form, and a vital disc to anyone interested in world music.