The Rough Guide to the Music of Morocco is a world music compilation album originally released in 2012. Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series, the release contains two discs: an overview of the music of Morocco—featuring such genres as Chaabi and Malhun—is found on Disc One, while Disc Two features the modern rural-urban fusion band Groupe Mazagan. The compilation was curated by Andy Morgan, former manager of Tinariwen and organizer of the Festival in the Desert.[1] Brad Haynes and Rachel Jackson coordinated the project, and Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network, was the producer.[2][3]
| The Rough Guide to the Music of Morocco | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by Various artists | ||||
| Released | 2012 | |||
| Genre | World, Moroccan | |||
| Length | 104:52 | |||
| Label | World Music Network | |||
| Full series chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Complete list | ||||
It is the second compilation by this name: the first edition, focusing on the same range of music with entirely different artists, was released in 2004.[4]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Robert Christgau[4] | A- |
| PopMatters[5] |   |
The compilation's release was met with positive reviews. Robert Christgau called the record "more aggressive" than the first edition, praising the addition of Moroccan hip hop.[4] We went on to include it in his top albums of 2012.[6] Deanne Sole of PopMatters noted that all performers are men, almost entirely in groups. She did, though, see the appeal of the "bareness" and "forceful exposure" of the tracks.[5]
Track listing
editDisc One
edit| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sah Raoui" | Salah Edin & Fnaïre | 4:19 |
| 2. | "Compagnie El Hamri/Ya Rijal L'bled" | Compagnies Musicales Du Tafilalet | 8:28 |
| 3. | "El Aloua" | Amira Saqati | 5:21 |
| 4. | "Iberdane" | Les Imazighen | 6:50 |
| 5. | "Boolandrix" | U-Cef | 5:19 |
| 6. | "Moulana (Notre Chant)" | Lemchaheb | 5:23 |
| 7. | "Bania Bambara" | Gnawa Allstars & Maalem Said Damir | 7:22 |
| 8. | "Jil Jdid" | H-Kayne | 4:36 |
| 9. | "Mal Hbibi Malou" | Samy Elmaghribi | 6:08 |
| 10. | "Ya Labess" | Groupe Mazagan | 3:57 |
| 11. | "Mali Mal Hal M'Halmaz" | The Master Musicians of Joujouka | 5:47 |
Disc Two
editAll tracks on Disc Two are by Groupe Mazagan, whose music has been described as "chaabi-groove".[7]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Abdelillah" | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Ayli Ayli" | 4:25 |
| 3. | "La Vignette" | 4:21 |
| 4. | "Atay" | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Ya Sidi Chafi [Duo]" | 4:10 |
| 6. | "Allah Allah" | 3:09 |
| 7. | "Sogui Belati" | 4:13 |
| 8. | "Salamo Salam" | 3:38 |
| 9. | "Asmae Allah" | 2:17 |
| 10. | "Instrumental" | 3:08 |
| 11. | "Ayli Ayli [Solo]" | 4:14 |
References
edit- ^ Morgan, Andy. "About Me". AndyMorganWrites.com. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
- ^ World Music Network. "About Us - The WMN Story". Retrieved 10 Jan 2014.
- ^ Discogs. "Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Morocco". Zink Media, Inc. Retrieved 12 Jan 2013.
- ^ a b c Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide". Retrieved 9 Jan 2014.
- ^ a b Sole, Deanne. "Various Artists: The Rough Guide to the Music of Morocco". PopMatters. Retrieved 9 Jan 2014.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (14 Jan 2013). "The Dean's List 2012". Barnesandnoblereview.com. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2014-01-12.
- ^ World Music Network. "Introducing Groupe Mazagan (Digital Only): Groupe Mazagan". Retrieved 2014-01-14.