WOMAD

Abdelkadar Saadoun

From Algeria

Biography by Andy Morgan, July 2002:

Some hoary old philosopher once said that if you?re tired of London you must be tired of life. He had a point, even though he probably didn?t have to commute daily on the Northern line. The fact is, whether they know it or not and whether they like it or not, Londoners have the world on their doorstep. Abdelkader Saadoun sings rai, the raucous, hedonistic North African pop style that was born in Algeria decades ago and has gone on to conquer the world. Instead of living in Algiers, Casablanca or Paris however, Saadoun lives in dirty old London town. He grew up in a little place called Khemis Miliana near Oran, western Algeria, the birthplace of rai itself. His musical career was already cruising along in high gear when he decided to move to London in 1988, an original choice of destination since the most of Saadoun?s fellow Algerians still consider La France to be their promised land. In the big smoke, Saadoun set about carving himself a niche as a rai maestro in exile, building up a band which included both North African instruments like the mandole and oud alongside horns, drums, guitars and violins. With courageous persistence and self-belief Saadoun has managed to play in clubs, theatres, festivals, community events the length and breadth of the country, and has also appeared on radio and even TV. Saadoun?s most recent CD, entitled ?Saadia? in memory of his mother, showcases his fiery roughneck brand of rai extremely successfully. It?s raw, rude, energetic and danceable... it?s a London ?ting!

Short biography 2002:
Abdelkader takes traditional Algerian Rai and infuses it with his own rock and dance style. Abdelkader has built up a strong UK following with his passionate live performance and we welcome him to WOMAD for the first time.

Biography provided by artist management ? March 2002:

Official website: www.saadoun.com

ABDELKADER SAADOUN

Rai Singer & Composer

Leading the funkiest Arabic Rai outfit in the UK. RAI originates from traditional Algerian music (Chaabi, Kabil, Chawia, pop...). Its main features are percussion, singing and dance. Based on strong rhythms, it is a very dynamic and danceable music, the music of today's generation and the most popular music in North Africa.

It has quickly spread to neighbouring countries: Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and is now very popular in the Gulf states. Since France has a large Magrebian population, RAI music is now part of the French culture.

Abdelkader's music is distributed by Discovery Records LTD, ABDELKADER SAADOUN comes from Khemis Miliana (Algeria), a few miles away from Wahran, the birth place of RAI. He started to play RAI music in his home country, accompanied by an accordion, guitar, kit drum, bass and percussion. An accomplished singer and musician, he led a band which has performed at many venues and festivals.
In 1988 SAADOUN then moved to the UK where in 1994 he formed his second Rai band in London.
SAADOUN's current outfit is made up of eight musicians using traditional instruments such as Mandole, Hadjoudj, Arabic Lute, North African percussion's and other European instruments including Brass, Bass guitar, Violin, Cello, Drums and Electric Guitar.

Abdelkader has performed at major festivals and venues within UK, and has has had many television appearances and performed live for radio stations including London GLR, The Big time celebrations of The Millennium Eve, BBC UK and Worldservice.

REVIEWS

Press Review 1 - 2002

By Gerry Hunt
Abdelkader Saadoun is UK's premier exponent of Rai, a style originating in his native Algeria and now permeating every corner of the musical world. Saadoun's brand of Rai is a fusion of rock and dance styles laced with traditional themes
and improvisation. He leads an exciting ten piece band using typical European instruments such as brass,viola,cello,bass and drums combined with North African percussion and stringed instruments. This provides a very rich musical palette which Saadoun uses to great effect with his impassioned songs and instrumentals.

Over the last few years, Saadoun has pushed the boundariea of Rai with many appearances around the UK and so his appearance this year at Womad
is very welcome and long overdue.

REVIEW 2:

Abdelkader Saadoun, Saadia (ASWM Records, 2000)
By Big Earl Sellar

The sound of Rai exploded on the world stage back in the early 1990's, an immensely powerful dance music out of Algeria. Featuring large bands, complex bass lines, and vocal gymnastics, the groove instantly hit home right at a point when World Music began to expand in mass popularity.
Abdelkader Saadoun is a Rai artist who has made his home in England for the past fourteen years, dubbing himself "Rai's Ambassador to Britain." Saadia is his first full length disc, and it is a relentless winner on all counts.
Saadoun is a one man dynamo; on this disc, he writes, arranges, produces, sings, and plays over a dozen instruments! His vision of Rai, with a brass section, is glorious, expanding on some of the more simplified forms that have appeared over the years. The second track on this disc, "Abdelkader," proves his musical mettle aparently: a heavy, fat beat; horn flourishes; a fast, bouncy vocal; and a groove that makes you move. And the disc has barely begun! Once you move on to tracks like "Salah," you realize that this is an artist in total control of his muse.
Vocally simple, it's an up tempo number with heavy organ, trumpet forefront in the mix, and disc stand out Gideon Juckes providing superfat bass to thunder the whole track ahead. Even on a slower number, like "Ya Rayah," Abdelkader uses his voice to keep the listener on edge, until the band kicks in with a sonic boom of percussion. This is great, great stuff, folks.
Saadia is produced to perfection as well. How anyone managed to balance all of the instruments on these tracks so well is beyond me, but every last note, toot, and band is even in the mix. It's a superb recording that anyone in any genre of music should aspire to. The graphics, however, are atrocious. A few interesting photos, some amateur layout and typesetting, and probably the worst cover I've seen on a disc in at
least a decade mar this package. That is, however, my only gripe.
Don't let the truly cheesy packaging scare you off; Saadia is an amazing CD, an absolute must-have. I hope Saadoun does make his mark in Britain, and indeed the world; he is worthy enough to become the next King of Rai.

REVIEW 3:

Sah?ra Djazaira (Algerian Weekend)
@ Pegasus Theatre - 2001
By Elisabeth Dew

Just the name of the country Algeria sounds exotic; in fact any other climate with warmer temperatures is far more attractive than the ongoing cold, grey and dampness of winter here in the UK. I looked forward to this event with much anticipation, a taste of hotter climes, distinct traditional dress and pulsating rhythmic music. This was all here to the extreme, along with a taste of Algeria in the form of a delicious assortment of cakes and dates and an audience consisting of many Algerians supporting Abdelkader Saadoun ? obviously a huge native star, and I soon realised why.

This whole evening was organised by Lineda Djotni with the support of an award from the On The Line charity (founded by Oxfam, Channel 4 and WWF-UK) which is a special education project for the Millennium which aims to create and promote links between people living on the Meridian line, which includes: Algeria, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo. Her aim was to bring people together to an enjoyable event and give them a fuller picture of Algerian culture, music and fashion ? she certainly succeeded!

The biggest attraction of the evening was, of course, Abdelkader Saadoun and his hugely talented backing group ? or Rai outfit - who generated the most incredible sounds and rhythms, which had most of the audience dancing for most of the show. Rai music is one of the fastest growing phenomena in this country and is destined to take root. Rai has its origins in traditional Algerian music (Chaabi, Kabil, Chawia) ? coming from a unique style that combined vocals, flute and derbouka (a Middle Eastern percussion instrument). The lyrics were meant to express ideas and thoughts, hence the name Rai, meaning Oopinion? in Arabic.

Today, Rai music is much more elaborate, a carnival of fast, heavy and danceable rhythms ? a mesmerising blend of Arab and western instruments including the guitar, base and trumpet, making it the most popular form of music in Algeria today. Abdelkader Saadoun leads the only Rai outfit in the UK, who have been very busy here in the past two years with many television and concert appearances, fast-spreading the popularity of this genre of music. Though hearing it live it?s impossible not to be uplifted by the rhythms ? it doesn?t matter if you can?t understand the lyrics, good music will get to the heart of you. It?s easy to hear the influence of Rai in the music of people like Paul Simon, who has used it to great effect in recent works.

There was a real party atmosphere with a large percentage of the audience ? perhaps extended family and friends of Abdelkader Saadoun? ? who were just having an absolute ball, all ages dancing together totally immersed in the rhythms and the distinct sound of ululating ? a primeval sound of celebration - from the women in their amazing sparkling dresses was quite electrifying. It was entertaining to see that it was the young men who were first to jump up and dance (almost Ricky Martin-style!) right up in front of the star performer, who coolly joined in. Being the consummate professional he is, the music blended effortlessly and rapidly ? there was an obvious camaraderie between all the band members who were all enjoying themselves.
This was a unique evening presented with much style and energy that even had us reserved Brits clapping and up and dancing enthusiastically in Oxford?s own colourful Algerian carnival.

When?s the next plane to Algiers please?