Les Abranis – Album No. 1 (Id Ed Was) LP

Description

Wewantsounds continues its Algerian music reissue program with the release ofLes Abranis‘ coveted 1983 LP,Album No. 1. Originally recorded in Paris and privately pressed by the group, the album is now being reissued for the first time. Curated byCheb Gero, who compiled theSweet Rebels Raiset for Wewantsounds,Album No. 1is a masterful blend of Kabyle grooves, funk, and hints of reggae. Also known asId Ed Was, the album is reissued with its original artwork, remastered audio by Colorsound Studio in Paris, and a two-page insert with new liner notes (in French and English) by journalistRabah Mezouane. The Kabyle group Les Abranis from Algeria has become one of the most sought-after bands on the global beat scene over the years. Founded in France in the late 1960s by two young Algerian Kabyle workers,Shamy El VazandKarim Abdenour, Les Abranis rose to prominence in the 1970s with their innovative sound, blending traditional Kabyle music with funk, rock, and psychedelic influences. Their lyrics, often sung in Kabyle, celebrate Amazigh identity and culture, making them a major influence on the North African music scene and beyond. Despite facing opposition from the country’s authorities — who viewed them as a societal threat due to their use of the Kabyle language instead of Arabic — their popularity continued to grow. Throughout the 1970s, they released several albums, including the highly sought-afterLes Abranis 1977, issued on the Paris-based Algerian label Disques Bordj El Phen. In 1983, the group entered Acousti Studio in Paris to recordAlbum No. 1, featuring legendary French drummerAndr ‘Dd’ Ceccarelli— who played with artists ranging fromSerge GainsbourgtoFrance Gall, as well as on numerous library music sessions withJanko Nilovic,Teddy Lasry, andJacky Giordano— alongsideTony Bonfilson bass.Album No. 1showcases a superb range of sounds, from the reggae-infused cult track “Avehri” to the funk-driven “Achethkhi,” and the irresistibly groovy instrumental “Thadoukli.”Album No. 1was originally self-released in 1983 and distributed exclusively within the Kabyle and Algerian communities in France and the Maghreb. Over time, it has become a sought-after LP among fans of Arabic music, as it was never reissued — until now.