Many artists have taken the traditional sounds of the Middle East and "updated" them into hits on the dance charts. Yet few of these artists have married this exotic rhythm to an even more aggressive sound. Rachid Taha has done just that -- creating a true fusion ... It's a sound that can be heard in discos from Algeria to Turkey and beyond. Its foundation is the complex rhythms of North Africa and the Middle East. Yet, these beats have been transformed by synthesizers, drum machines, raucous guitars and electronic sampling. The result is a dance music that has proven immensely popular with contemporary audiences -- yet has its roots in some of the world's oldest music. Taha's music is truly multi-lingual. It speaks to many musical cultures, without betraying or misunderstanding any of them. "It's a rock album. I like rock, I like the feel of it, the feel of punk, and it works well with North African music." Rhapsody subscribers can listen to four of Taha's albums and three compilations on which he appears. About Taha and his album "Made in Medina", All Music Guide had this to say: Rachid Taha is not the first artist to blend Arab and Western musical styles, but he is certainly one of the most innovative. The album is brimming with the exotic and the familiar. Like a sumptuous banquet, Medina is a rich mix of dishes, one that will tempt even the most jaded palette. Rachid Taha: Rock 'n' Rai | 
