Rachid Taha is the one I go for. His version of The Clash's "Rock The Casbah" (yes, an ironic political slant) is stunning. He is very inspired by The Clash, musically and politically. Do check out his two albums "Diwan" and "Diwan 2", his versions of older Algerian classics that inspired him. Interestingly, his long-term record producer has been Steve Hillage, who used to be part of the psych - trippy band, Gong.

These guys are at the pop / rock end of the market - in fact, they are the market. I would imagine that about as many Algerians listen to their "folk" music as do English people here - that is, a pretty small proportion of the listening / music-buying population. But the various Chebs write and perform music that reflects their national culture, and still manage to take on aspects of European / Western music that don't dilute it.

Thanks for starting this thread, Rafflesbear - it's good to see some discussion about music from the rest of the non-English-speaking world.

Norman