Cheb Khaled

With so many albums out there covering Khaled's pre-fame years, choosing the best is almost impossible. And, to be honest, there's not one that's really definitive of his early career. What that means, really, is that this is about as good as the others available. The vocal performances are stunning, as was the case with much of his earlier work (how do you think he made his reputation?), and the production, while decidedly rough and ready, has a push to it, an energy that his more mature work often lacks, giving it an excitement that's palpable (just listen to "Goult Halek Amalimali" to hear how impassioned he can get). Perhaps the biggest advantage to this compilation is the fact that it's budget-priced, and that most of the material hasn't appeared on countless other discs, helping it to stand out a little. Even back then, he was pushing the boundaries of rai, helping to make it into a modern North African force, the true rebellious sound of young Algeria. On the evidence here (and on all those other records -- he did, after all, record well over 50 cassettes before he made it big) it's easy to see why he was a national star. A huge voice, a charisma that transcends the CD, and a sense of passion and commitment that's rare in any music. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide