Arabica

Arabica is a North African voyage into sound that will find strong appeal amongst fans of the Cafe Del Mar and Buddha Bar series of compilations. Compiled by Francis Peyrat, Arabica takes you on a musical journey from the trendy bars of Paris to the cosmopolitan bars of Cairo.

Arabica is an exotic and colourful blend of North African influenced music: a mix of traditional styles with modern production techniques and is a fine introduction to modern Middle Eastern grooves, bringing together artists from around the world who share a common passion for Arabic sounds.

In Britain bands like Transglobal Underground have taken Arabic music from the streets to the production studio, making it an accepted part of any self-respecting DJ's set. In France, Arabic music is firmly established and is heard everywhere from trendy bars to cool boutiques. Khaled, who feature on Arabica with a remix of their track "Didi", recently scored a #1 French hit.

From the outset, a sensual and exotic feel rules the album. From Rachid Taha's wonderful hit "Ya Rayah", Arabica progresses into a stunning collection of tunes. From veterans Cheb Mami & Khaled to the ambient vibe of Zohar's "Ehad" with a visit along the way to the "Cario Bar" of Parisian act Digital Bled, Arabica showcases a new breed of emerging artists. Add more spices in the form of Radar, Nickodemus, the funky Dzihan & Kamien and you have the perfect soundtrack for your trip around the grooves of Arabic music.