DJCJ
Make of the Geez

SWARVYSunny Days BlueBlack FocusFormat: limited green vinyl LP + MP3 download code

Raï is the music of a youth hungover from Algeria's recent independence. It became a space for a liberated, transgressive dialogue that told the social truths of its time -- an up-front yet poetic voice that covers the taboos and frustrations of daily life, expressing emotion without detour. This voice is heard at weddings, cabarets, in the nightclubs of the Oranese coast, and casually on the street... With the boom of the audio cassette, an avalanche of raï tapes were produced in Oran and diffused all over the world. Both women and men sang and listened to the new sound, as raï is intimately tied to parties, alcohol and the night. With the spontaneous improvisation of its singers as the main part of each song, raï keeps reinventing itself. In this style, Cheb Hasni, along with Cheb Nasro, incarnates a second generation of musicians. With the "love raï", or sentimental raï, Hasni sings about love, passion and its setbacks -- moving away from the bittersweet daily chronicles of the first chebs and chebates. Having recorded nearly 150 cassettes, Cheb Hasni remains one of the most prolific and talented raï singers of his generation. Almost thirty years after his death, this three-volume compilation of rare tracks from his cassette releases on the Oriental Music Production label is a tribute to the lasting legacy of Cheb Hasni -- ya raï! The second volume of three is presented here.CHEB HASNIVol 1Outre National

The 12” starts with the euphoric rave anthem “Members of Warning 2021” by Giraffi Dog & Erik Jäähalli. A track title some of you might recognize which will bring peace and harmony to It’s followed by the heartwarming Hip Hop cut “Shout Outs” which is dedicated to da family and our sweet raver posse. The B side hits different as Henry 3000 is a G when it comes to baba Electro bombs while DJ Hummer understands to cool it down in trancy Westcoast Funk manner. A well balanced pack of diverse tunes wrapped once again in beautiful design by Guillaume de Ubeda.

Detroit's Ali Berger returns to FatCat Records' sub-label FCR with a follow up release entitled 'Keys The Door EP2'.After his 'Keys The Door EP1' that picked up support from the likes of Ben UFO, Artwork, Huerco S and Machine Woman, Michigan's Ali Berger returns to the FatCat Records off-shoot FCR which features releases from Cottam, DJJ and Project 223. Ali's previous releases on Clave House, Firm Tracks and Isaiah Tapes reflect his keen ear for slick, stripped back house productions that's gained the attention worldwide resulting in him being signed to FatCat and regularly featuring in clubs all over the US.'Grease Trap' kicks things off with a wavering acid line, robust melodies and outlandish oscillations before 'Heard' drops low-slung bass grooves, emotive leads and rhythmic tombs reminiscent of early Larry Heard productions. 'Hit Piece' introduces eccentric synth shoots, bubbling percussion and glistening rhythms until 'Keys The Door' rounds things off with a cheerful house cut fusing dreamy piano chords and a stimulating drum sequence.