En Concert (1997)

"Orchestre National de Barbes, however, is a pop-fusion group. They sound like a cross between rai and West African Afro pop. Almost all of the instruments are Western. The vocals sound like Arabic with a little French thrown in. The sound is usually very rhythmic and upbeat, like a big R&B group. "Savon" is incredibly infectious. In dramatic contrast, "Ma Ychalli" is much more Arabic, despite the keyboards. After a long prelude by what sounds like a mandolin imitating an oud, the singer "improvises" a complex, moody verse. The percussion is used to comment on the proceedings rather than drive them, and the instruments do not dominate the vocals. This is a very good fusion of local music and Western pop, but the three or four songs based more directly on Arabic or Berber music are the exception, not the rule. For a live recording, the sound and the performance are exceedingly good. The mood is glowing and good times are ahead. Fans of West African or North African pop need not hesitate. (Allmusic).