Essential North African Albums

North Africa, the region that stretches from Egypt to Morocco, is the home of some of the most varied music imaginable. From the ululating voice of Umm Kulthum, the street traditions of sha'bi, through the rhythm of rai, on to the trance traditions of gnawa musicians closer to the Atlantic, there's a history to it. It connects with the fiery Andalusian strains of flamenco, the maqams of its neighbor the Middle East, and the traditions that exist in other parts of Africa. These days, more and more, it connects with France, the former imperial power whose touch is still felt across the Maghreb - these days, it seems, Paris and the other big cities of France contain almost as many Arabic musicians as North Africa.

To try and define any region, or even any music, with just 10 albums is an almost impossible task. But if you think of this as an introduction, a starting point for further exploration - and conversation - then perhaps it makes a little more sense. There's so much to be discovered, and while North African music remains rooted in tradition, it keeps changing, just like the rest of the world.

Um Kalthum: Al Atlal

The great Arabic singer of all time, certainly in popular esteem. This album, recorded live (possibly in the 1950s - no date appended) finds the Egyptian diva working with a larger orchestra, and more than living up to her billing. Only one song - but what a song! Justifiably one of the greatest from her canon, a quasida that swells, rides, and falls, allowing her to give rein to every facet of her voice in a way that leaves the listener suspended, simply wrapped in her magic. Perfect enunciation and understanding of the lyrics, a marvelous arrangement, with a relatively large orchestra. Sublime, and close to perfect.

Master Musicians of Jajouka: Apocalypse across the Sky

While Morocco's ancient traditions of the Master Musicians received their highest profiles outings on records produced by Rolling Stone Brian Jones and Talvin Singh, those benefited from lots of studio trickery. This, recorded by Bill Laswell, is about as unadorned as you're going to get, and fully communicates the trance essence of the group. With a history going back centuries as Moroccan court musicians, a membership passed from father to son, the Master Musicians are an arcane society who make sublime music, guaranteed to transport across time and space. To hear them with such stunning clarity is to understand their power - if not their mystery.

Najat Aatabou: The Voice of the Atlas

The small town girl who made it big in Morocco and France, who broke the lyrical taboos and has made monster hits, Aatabou deserves her success, not only for some great music, but for her social stance. Still, on a CD, it's all about the music, and this has hit, not only one of her big songs (although not the biggest, sadly), but lots more that make her stand out, with a tremendous ensemble behind her, allowing the real majesty of her vocals to ring. There's also a sweetness, and sometimes a naivete to her tones, without ever being little-girl alluring, the way so many Western singers are. This is a woman, and you'd better remember it. While sophisticated, the arrangements are ineffably Moroccan, now bowing at sracping at the doors of Europe. A triumph.

Cheikha Remitti (or Rimitti): Sidi Mansour

With a venerable history, the Queen of Algerian rai has been performing since 1936. This record, made in 1994 when she was 70, is a testament to the power of her voice. It also happens to be the rest rock-rai disc to date, with power provided by Robert Fripp, Chili Pepper Flea, and former members of the Dead Kennedys and Zappa's band, all storming over Maghreb percussion. And Remitti singing her heart out in that cracked voice that manages to express emotion across the barriers of language. For all the supposed leaps by Khaled, Cheb Mami and the other younger figures of rai, Remitti issued the hardest rai record ever, that still managed to remain rooted in the music's past, in spite of all the electricity. She's everything Madoona wanted to be, but was too chicken to become in more than image.