Various artists

During the past few decades, Rai emerged from its origins as a form of Algerian protest song to one of the most popular musical idioms in the Arab world. Rai, which means opinion, is also steadily gaining audiences in the United States, and this disc is an ideal introduction to the genre. Some performers feature such traditional instruments as frame drums while others include synthesizers. Most singers also thrive on enticing dance beats. Cheikha Remitti–considered the Grandmother of Rai–is included here and performs the rootsy “Guendouzi Mama.”