Kenza

Great recordings delivered on time.

very good singer I enjoy his music

What makes this guy a unique singer and a hit master is the element of surprise he provides to his fans. As usual, Khaled trys to introduce a new style and a new surprise to his fans. I have been a khaled fan for almost 7 years. I have been following his accomplishments and really enjoyed every single album he made. From his first mega hit album "Khaled", which included Didi, all the way until "Sahra", which included "Aicha", you can se how Khaled introduces something really surprising. He keeps you up-to-date to enjoy his music. Unlike most singers that keep on repeating the same style in their albums over, and over, and over, Khaled always comes up with something new. You have to listen to his songs carefully in order to know that this songs really belongs to him because he sounds so different from each one song to another by having totally a new attitude.In this latest official album, you'll enjoy totally a new music. Like El Bab, which is a mixture of Algerian Rai, and Jazz, with very mesmerizing rythems.Although nobody seems to understand what he is singing (since he's singin in Arabic), he is a big hit world-wide. Can you imagine what whould happen if Khaled sings in English? I'm sure he can surpases Michael Jackson or Elvis Presly (in my openion). Khaled, keep up the good work,

Khaled is the Algerian version of Abba. Good time party music, happy danceable tunes but little depth. Personally I was a little bit disappointed because I was expecting something a bit less poppy (so many people whose taste I respected had recommended it to me). This is not something I would listen to outside of a party context. If you like the Arabic sound and want something with a little more depth and orignality then I recommend the following artists: Idir, Souad Massi and Rachid Taha.

I bought this CD in Paris. It has great tracks in it, especially the first five-six tracks. But it gets a little boring toward the end. If you haven't listened to Khaled before, I recommend you start with the previous LP called 'Sahra'. That LP shows all aspects of the Khaled. This Kenza seems to be more focused on world pop type of thing. It seems like a bold political statement for Khaled to sing John Lennon's "Imagine" with the Israeli singer Noa.But 'Imagine' with oud just sounds great!

Khaled's latest Cd is designed to mainstream rai with generous dollops of western pop-friendly sensibilities. Unfortunately, "Kenza" lacks depth; missing are many of the mournful middle-eastern inflections that made the Don Was produced "Khaled" more substantial and emotive. At times, "Kenza" threatens to delve into darker, more brooding areas but throughout "Kenza" it's usually the sunny, frothy upbeat melodies that wash over everything else and flatten out affect. Lost is the grit of a music which originated in the slums of Algeria as a voice for the voiceless.

One more wonderful disc from this heavenly voice. The cover of "Imagine" is so sweet, so hopeful. "C'est la nuit" is pure romance. Not as rocking as N'issi n'issi, but it smokes in a satisfying and sultry way. A must for lovers, dancers and lovers who dance.

I heard Khaled for the 1st time in Sahra, and I just fell in love with the guy's music. I couldn't wait for Kenza, and I find it to be very different from Sahra. There is definitely less of that reggea mix in Kenza, but Kenza is a whole lot more subtle than Sahra, as if Khaled's mood had changed like the wind in the Sahara. Some tracks I absolutely love, like "C'est la nuit". This ballad is very soulful and speaks to the heart. All in all, Kenza is another face of Khaled, and that is what I find fascinating, so many artists repeat themselves, it is both refreshing and intriguing to listen to an artist and feel both as if it was a new artist and and old friend.

Good

Rai ist die traditionelle algerische Volksmusik. Cheb Khaled ist der König des Rai. Mit "Kenza" hat er 1999 eine Scheibe vorgelegt, die mit ihrem Crossover-Konzept deutlich auf westliche Hörgewohnheiten abzielt. Bei zehn von vierzehn Titeln des in Großbritannien produzierten Albums stand der bekannte Steve Hillage an den Reglern. Fans der puristischen Variante von Weltmusik werden Khaled zweifellos Anbiederung an den westlichen Musikgeschmack vorwerfen. Ich sehe Chaleds poppige Rai-Variante positiv. Der Sänger und Komponist erschließt damit der Musik seines Heimatlandes neue Hörerschichten. Er trägt so viel zur Popularisierung eines enorm rhythmischen und äußerst vitalen Musikstiles bei. Und Cheb Khaled verfügt nun mal über eine ganz außergewöhnliche Stimme, ob er nun arabisch oder französisch singt. Zusammen mit den exotischen Musikinstrumenten Nordafrikas, in Kombination mit dem Instrumentarium westlicher Pop- und Rockmusik, ergibt dies einen betörenden Klangkosmos. Höhepunkte aufzuzählen fällt leicht. Das absolute Highlight unter den vierzehn Songs ist für mich ganz klar "C'est la nuit", das als Bonustrack auch in einer "Arab version" auf dem Silberling ist. Cheb Khaled singt sich bei dieser wunderschönen Ballade schier die Seele aus dem Leib. Toll sind auch die beiden Duette des Künstlers mit der Libanesin Amar ("El harba wine") und der israelischen Sängerin Noa ("Imagine"). Bei letzerem handelt es sich übrigens um den John Lennon-Song. Und was die beiden Interpreten daraus machen, ist ein kleines Kunstwerk für sich. Richtig fetzig wird es immer dann, wenn Khaled Rai und Disco-Sounds miteinander verbindet. Bei Rhythmus-Hämmern wie "E'dir e'sseba", "Melha" oder "Derwiche tourneur" dürfte sich trefflich das Tanzbein schwingen lassen. Schließlich sei noch "Gouloulha-dji" genannt, wo Rai mit Salsa-Rhythmen verwoben wird. Bei 78 Minuten Laufzeit der CD tritt freilich irgendwann ein gewisser Sättigungseffekt beim Zuhörer ein. In der zweiten Hälfte des Albums scheinen Khaled auch ein wenig die Ideen ausgegangen zu sein. Manches klingt hier z. T. wie zuvor schon einmal gehört. Aber dies ist wirklich Kritik auf hohem Niveau. Erwähnt sei noch, daß das Booklet der Scheibe sehr ansprechend ist. Sämtliche Texte sind abgedruckt und man findet detailierte Besetzungsangaben. Mit "Kenza" ist dem König des Rai ein über weite Strecken beeindruckendes Crossover-Album gelungen. Das Werk weckt das Interessse an weiteren Rai-Veröffentlichungen.

Esencialmente recuperé todas las buenas sensaciones, que este disco me produjo hace años.Sólo soy un "usuario musical: ni musicólogo, ni nada de nada,pero aprecio ciertos mestizajes con el pop - versionando a Lenon -, también con ritmos djs, hindúes ... Pero sin renunciaral Magreb musical