AMAZIGH FREEDOM ROCK 1973 – 1983 (vinyl)

Description

Bongo Joe Records continues its work of reissuing the blazing Kabyle rock of Abranis, true pioneers of Algerian music who were the first to mix traditional Berber music with rock, folk, disco and funk, while proudly celebrating their Kabyle heritage. 'Amazigh Freedom Rock 1973-1983' follows the 2018 release of an initial single, Chenar le Blues - Avehri, released as part of the Bongo Joe 45s series. This compilation offers an exhaustive look at Abranis' discography, from the garage-rock experiments of their early days to their fusion masterpieces of the 1980s. The story of Abranis begins in the mid-sixties, when two young Algerians met in the bohemian quarters of Paris. Both Kabyles from Numidia, they had fled their country with their families following the rise of nationalism and conservatism that followed Algerian independence in 1962. The two young men, Shamy El Baz and Karim Abdenour, were not only linked by common origins: both loved rock and were eager to create a modern Algerian sound, inspired by both Kabyle rhythms and melodies and by Western rock. The cosmopolitan Paris of the 1960s allowed them to come into contact with other North African communities, whose sounds strongly influenced Abranis' style, as did the musical trends of the time, from prog to disco. The two musicians founded Les Abranis in 1967, teaming up with bassist Madi Mehdi and drummer Samir Chabane. Together, they experimented by mixing Kabyle vocals and melodies with garage and psych-rock. The following years saw the release of a handful of singles on several North African labels based in France, a raucous Algerian tour and several line-up changes. Shamy and Karim refined their fiery blend of Kabyle and rock, but as the 70s progressed, they moved further and further away from the garage and psychedelia of their early days, and began to interpret their Kabyle repertoire in a more open and creative way, mixing kraut-rock, prog rock and early electronic influences. Across 11 electrifying tracks, 'Amazigh Freedom Rock 1973-1983' pays tribute to the power of Abranis and highlights their legacy as the underground kings of Kabyle rock.