Cafe de l'Independence

Abdelazziz Bekhti, aka Baâziz, was born in 1963 in Cherchell (100 km west of Algiers). He developed a passion for local rhythms early in life, but was also inspired by Bob Dylan, American rock'n'roll and French-language singing poets like Georges Brassens and Jacques Brel. While most youthful Algerians were obsessed with raï, a fiesty hybrid of an ancient wedding style with American R&B, Baâziz was drawn to chaabi, a kind of working mans blues, and maâkous, in which classic songs are reinvented via metaphor and barbed satire. However, Baaziz was forced to leave his homeland due to government disapproval. He now lives in France where he continues to create tongue-in-cheek yet powerful rants against military, religious and administrative oppression. His second album 'Cafe de l'Independance' released in France, 2004 was banned in Algeria virtually upon release. Track listing; Yana/ Djebel/ Nous Nous En Allerons/ The Best/ Adieu Ma Belle/ God Bless(e) America/ Lomo/ Baba/ Ya Bladi/ Ma Liberte/ Ezzine El Fassi/ Atika/ El Garlelou.