"Love to the People"

Khaled ’s seventh international release is his most ambitious, a tour de force that spans hard-driving rai, funky pop, crooning balladry, and Latin rock graced by the presence of the genre’s guitar-god icon, Carlos Santana.  Ya Rayi appeared last year in a European edition, but its current American release has been substantially reworked—including the addition of the Santana feature, “Love to the People,” in both English and Arabic versions.  The title track sets Khaled ’s wailing tenor voice to a funky groove, vividly realized with an array electronic and acoustic sounds.  The production makes reference to many stages of Khaled ’s career—the urgent, restless vocal of his early rai hits, the swashbuckling tenor sax break, brass section pumps, and the taut funk of hits like “Didi”—all rolled together in one irresistibly raucous package.  This crisp opener bears the stamp of a proven Khaled collaborator, Don Was, just one of the great producers behind these twelve, super-polished tracks.

More characteristic rai numbers like “Ya Galbi,” (“My Love”) and “El Ghira” (“The Jealous One”) benefit from powerful orchestral backing.  Gusty string interludes lend grandeur to the genre’s unique blend of angst and uplift.   Among the great dance tracks here is “Yema Yema,” a wrenching plea from the singer to his distant mother.  Here again, acoustic sounds—accordion, mandoluth, and a big brass section—seamlessly interweave a driving, electric dance groove.  Song after song, Khaled shows himself in the best vocal form ever, stretching his range, contrasting a deep, chest growl with his most passionate soul cry.   “Ense el Hem” (“Forget Your Worries”) is a soothing, lush rai waltz, in which superb string arranging eases the build to a swirling crescendo that Khaled ’s vocal rides like a master surfer on the mother of all ocean waves. 

There is so much detail to savor on this record, but the first impression is apt to be dominated by “Love to The People,” with its star power and unforgettable vocal refrain.  On both the English and Arabic versions, Khaled shares the vocal with Elan, a young phenomenon on the contemporary reggae scene.  Santana’s signature guitar is the constant element that threads together the song’s quilt of rai and rasta vibe, its rockin’ clave beat and adornments of Arabic flute and Latin and Arab percussion.  This is a song about unity, and the music speaks as loudly as the words.  It's got all the makings of a summer hit, and if it indeed becomes one, Khaled may at last earn the sort of mainstream audience in North America he clearly deserves.

Watch for Khaled and Friends on tour:

JUNE 29^th       VARIETY PLAYHOUSE                    ATLANTA, GA                                                                    http://www.variety-playhouse.com  

JULY 1^ST         LISNER AUDITORIUM                    WASHINGTON, DC                                                                    http://www.lisner.org/

JULY 3^RD        CENTRAL PARK                            NEW YORK, NY

JULY 5^TH        MONTREAL JAZZ FESIVAL              MONTREAL,                                                                    http://www.montrealjazzfest.com  

JULY 8^TH        GRAND PERFORMANCES                LOS ANGELES, CA                                                            http://www.grandperformances.org/

JULY 10^TH       STERN GROVE FESTIVAL               SAN FRANCISCO , http://www.sterngrove.org

JULY 13^TH       HOUSE OF BLUES                         NEW ORLEANS, LA http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/neworleans/

JULY 14^TH       HOUSE OF BLUES                         ORLANDO, FL http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/orlando/

JULY 16^TH       CONCERT OF COLORS                   DETROIT, MI                     https://www.accesscommunity.org/coc/