Radiodiffusion Internasionaal Annexe

♬ Habit-En Ïch

Brothers Rachid and Fethi Baba Ahmed were from the Northwestern town of Tlemcen in Algeria.

They formed their first band in the 1960’s, which was called The Vultures. Althought I have been unable to find any recordings by the band, they were supposed more Western styled rock ‘n’ roll.

After The Vultures, they released a few records as Rachid et Fethi (here’s one other that I know of), and made a number of appearances performing on Algerian television in the 1970’s.

Since that time, Rachid and Fethi became the most well known Raï producers in Algeria. They openned one of the first 24 track studios in the country, which is in the town of Oran. They were the first to introduce the synthesizer and drum machine into Raï in 1982, which would galvanize that music’s signature sound.

Sadly, Rachid Baba Ahmed was killed on 15 February 1995 in his car with shots from a submachine gun in Oran.

Thanks to Anis Bousbia for his help.

Catalog number 28846 Editions Rally of Tlemcen, Algeria. No release date given.