Bonjour! Welcome to a few words about Rachid Taha. 'Rock El Casbah' was his remarkable rendition of the song of (almost) the same name by The Clash. For many new fans it was immediately clear what Rachid Taha was all about: robust international rock with flamboyant Mediterranean roots. This Algerian Frenchman already mixed those hot ingredients with Carte De Séjour, his first band. That sharply worded social concern was there already then too, for instance, in his critical cover of 'Douce France', that innocent hit by Charles Trenet. For a long time Rachid Taha enthused about Steve Hillage as a legendary producer. These days he has Gaetan Roussel as playing partner and together they now wish us a heartfelt: 'Bonjour' (as that is the title of the new single and album – out on Universal.) 'Bonjour' has turned out to be a scintillating CD, provocatively produced and with a hopeful sound. Want to get further into the mood? In the meantime, just listen to that impressive 'Rachid Taha Live' CD too, recorded entirely in the AB in March '01! Aha!