Delving into the deepest recesses of raï, this compilation serves as a tribute to its roaring years, but also as a rejuvenation of the genre in its sulphurous, subterranean version. It seemed like a good idea to dig into nearly untraceable cassettes, thus confirming it’s in the oldest of Oranese pots that the very best of raï is to be found. Just 50 years ago, no one would have believed even a bit in a genre seemingly bound to forever turn round and round in its native Oran, laying low in one of its many coastal road clubs.

Middle Eastern psych-rock collective Al-Qasar’s debut album is an explosive mix of heavy Arabian grooves, global psychedelia and North African trance music. The band calls it "Arabian fuzz." Brazenly electric and deeply connected. Guests include Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) and Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys).

Touraj is the result of a newly garnished perception of music that arose in the society of Iran during the 60s and 70s of the 20th century.

Through an arched gateway into the medina, inside a labyrinth of alleyways lined with shops selling spices and perfumed oils, rare vinyl and handmade instruments, comes the sound of the blues. Ancient and current, funky and rhythmic, buoyed by Arabic lyrics, soaring vocals and bass-heavy grooves, it seems to pulse from the heart of the Maghreb.

Electro-Dschungel are rereleasing their 1987 LP Kebab- Und Andere Traume in a new 30th anniversary edition, this January via Edition Dschungel.

Their ECM debut, released in 2009, won awards including the Jahrespreis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, the album of the year prize of the German record critics. Now Siwan, the international collective led by Norwegian keyboardist-composer-arranger Jon Balke, is back, rallying its powerful instrumental forces behind a new lead singer, Mona Boutchebak from Algeria. Perceived correspondences between Arabic music, Andalusian classical music and European baroque music fired Jon Balke’s imagination when he started this project a decade ago. To bring these sound worlds closer together he set poetry of Al Andalus, reflecting upon a period of coexistence between adherents of the three great religions. But Siwan does not set out to be an “historical” project: it’s a contemporary creation, delivered by an alliance of strongly individual players, fronted by a vocalist deeply rooted in Arab music traditions.

Omar Souleyman turns out another brilliant batch of club-ready turns on EDM powerhouse Mad Decent

The sixth album of Le Trio Joubran, a landmark and a new landscape in their musical convictions. Through their mesmerizing music, they honour the struggles and oppression of indigenous peoples around the world and especially affirm that their music should be a part of the struggle of the Palestinian people for recognition and liberation. Le Trio Joubran and the former Pink Floyd legendary Roger Water’s co-wrote the track "Carry The Earth" and dedicated it the four young cousins who were murdered whilst playing football on Gaza Beach. The title of this track is from a poem by the great Mahmoud Darwish The dead who die to carry the earth after the relics are gone".

Songs of love, loss and leaving. After two highly acclaimed albums with her jazz quartet, Elina Duni issues her most intimate recording to date. The entirely solo Partir features the Tirana-born vocalist, accompanied by her own piano, guitar and frame drum, interpreting songs from very diverse sources.

A.T.A. (Acoustic Tarab Alchemy) was created by Tunisian singer Houcine Ataa. On this self-titled album, the sufi singing Houcien grew up with goes on a journey to become integrated with contemporary jazz.

… 1984/85: Having toured North Africa, Dissidenten set up camp in Tangier, Morocco. Composer and author Paul Bowles and Tangier’s musical godfather Abdesalam Akaaboune introduce them to Moroccan musicians Jil Jilala, Nas El Ghiwane, Lem Chaheb and the likes. Dissidenten’s third album SAHARA ELEKTRIK is recorded in Tangier with Lem Chaheb and their outstanding leader Cherif Lamrani. British DJ John Peel features the group in his legendary BBC program. …

Remastered German issue. Uptempo and rocking style of Rai, not the sentimental, bluesy style. If you like Rachid Taha or Cheikha Rimitti, you'll enjoy this, too. Amazing lead violin with haunting melodies all over. He was very successful for a very short period around 1990.

Forming a male/female duet, Algerian singers Chaba Fadela and Cheb Sahraoui demonstrate the richness of modern neo-rai music on Hana Hana. Known as "pop-rai," the type of music they embrace on this captivating recording mixes Algerian rai with elements of Western pop. The result is a captivating hybrid that is as haunting and addictive as more traditional Arab and Middle Eastern music, yet has a definite freshness. The production is decidedly high-tech.