Preview

Algerian born Abdelkader Saadoun is no stranger to the Arab and Western music scene. With his clean cut image and spirited attitude to the sounds of the Maghreb, he brings with him a self-styled rhythm and beat that rings true to the tradition of Rai. The only Rai outfit in the UK, his talents as a singer, song writer and band leader have manifested over the years in several albums, television appearances and concerts across the country. Having rubbed shoulders with top acts in Middle Eastern and western music and having just released his latest album, Saadia, Abdelkader Saadoun is set to take the UK music scene by storm.

Born in Khemis, Miliana, Algeria, the multi-talented Saadoun began his music career in his homeland. After living and performing for a while in Paris he came to Britain in the eighties and formed his first Rai band "Cheb Abdelkader". His current outfit, named after himself, "Abdelkader Saadoun", features six musicians on bass guitar, trombone, trumpet, drums, percussion and keyboards - all, one might add, home grown talent.

Abdelkader often performs as a solo artist. His solo acts feature singing, performing with traditional guitars (Hajoudj & Mandol) North African percussions (Bendir, Derbouka, Karakeb and Djembe). He has played with prominent Rai musicians including Rabah Khalfa (Arabic Tabla), Hashemi Belali (bass guitar), Razki Baroudi (drummer), The Master Drummers of Africa, Rony Barrak (Arabic Tabla), Keith Waith and the Macusi Players, Omar Bashir (the Amir of Lute), Eduardo Niebla (the Great Spanish Guitarist), Davide Mantovani, Zohar, Sevara Nazarkhan, Afrochock band, the Jazz, Funk, Rai singer Kada Cherif Hadria and his band during their Cabot Hall show at THE LONDON ORIS JAZZ FESTIVAL. Abdelkader has had many television appearances and performed live for major national radio stations including London GLR & the big time celebrations of the Millennium Eve BBC UK and World Service.

'What a band. Every member sounds like a master of their instruments. Great rhythm section, impressive percussion and a tight, brilliant horn section whose solos were breathtaking. These guys seriously know how to rock.' - Tony Simpson (WOMAD)

'The biggest attraction of the evening was, of course, Abdelkader Saadoun and his hugely talented backing group' - Algerian Festival, Pegusus Theatre, Oxford

Review

Any misgivings or skewed preconceptions that the faithful audience may have harboured, along the lines of Algerian music being inaccessible, were summarily dispelled by the five-piece line-up that Abdelkader brought to the Talbot's hallowed stage - this likeable and consistently enthusiastic man fronts a supremely competent outfit that mixes the polyrhythmic excitement of his home country's indigenous Rai music with a slew of Western influences - rock, funk, and jazz are all in there - to very agreeable effect, as borne out by a busy dance-floor. The man himself boasts a voice steeped in tradition, yet soulful; and his oud (a.k.a. mandole) playing style carries over into his guitar technique, giving it a decidedly distinctive edge.

As a foil, Werner Kristiansen's guitar work is breathtaking: restraint and attack are unusual bedfellows, but this Perrier Jazz Guitarist Award runner-up achieves that, and more: much of his work on Saturday would have graced the very best albums of the classic late-60s American West Coast scene. Gerry Hunt on 5-string bass, coupled to the astounding Seyi Akinde on drums, constitute a righteously biting rhythm section - Hunt's soprano sax cameo was an unexpected bonus, too. Last, by no means least, Andy Mellon's trumpet seemed to summon up a whole implicit horn section, and laid the icing on the cake.

Warm, informal yet professional, intelligent, involving, highly danceable - all these attributes, plus a heartening audience response, make Kader and his cohorts strong contenders for a return booking not too far off down the line.