Rating: NNNN
RACHID TAHA Made In Medina (Barclay/Universal) Rating: NNNNNot the sort to rush into anything, politically outspoken Algerian rai roughneck Rachid Taha has taken four years to capitalize on the global crossover success of his Diwan disc, a dance-floor reworking of his greatest misses, with Made In Medina. It was time well spent — the club-conscious new album produced by Steve Hillage is a stormer. None of this honey-sweet rai romance for Taha — Hillage makes sure the Middle Eastern strings don’t get in the way of the block-rockin’ beats and grimy guitar riffing, certain to appeal to the head-nodding instincts of those who could care less about Taha’s hollerings about relationships diverted from nobler impulses and such. Funky gold Medina. Rachid Taha makes a rare local appearance with Supergenerous on Harbourfront’s Norigen Stage Sunday (June 24) at 2 pm.
