Lyon, France, a melting pot of cultures, particularly for those from Eastern Algeria. Since the 1950s, the city’s cafés, especially in Croix-Rousse and Guillotière, became vibrant hubs for Maghreb musicians. These weren’t just places to socialize; they were crucial for the evolution of North African popular music in France. Cafés like Le But and bars on Rue Sébastien Gryphe were where musicians connected, booked gigs for weddings, baptisms, galas, and even recording sessions. This was the heart of a thriving musical ecosystem, deeply rooted in the “K7” culture of the era.
Playing music in Lyon was a cross-regional affair, blending North African influences with local traditions. Versatile musicians absorbed new sounds, making immigration-era music a hotbed of musical cosmopolitanism. Think of chachacha or tango twists on Cheikh El Hasnaoui’s tracks, or Mohamed Mazouni’s forays into jerks and twists. The artists featured in “MAGHREB K7 CLUB” brilliantly merged Raï and Staïfi melodies with disco aesthetics and funk guitar riffs, much like Nordine Staifi. Salah El Annabi even drew inspiration from Jean-Michel Jarre, a Lyon-based electronic music pioneer, incorporating the “Oxygene” theme. As Abbès Hamou, a musician from Place du Pont, aptly put it, “mixed weddings make good-looking lads!” This blend of musical traditions and boundless creativity allowed these musicians to naturally embrace the aesthetics and technologies of their time, largely disseminated through “k7” cassette tapes.
Jacques Castelli’s Studio 17 in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, became central to this scene, recording a significant portion of the Lyon “k7” releases. This compilation, “MAGHREB K7 CLUB – Synth Raï, Chaoui & Staifi 1985-1997”, curated by Simon Debarbieux and Péroline Barbet, with artistic supervision from Cyril (Bongo Joe), Pierro & JP (Sofa Records), is a testament to this vibrant period. The album artwork itself, featuring photos from Café Djerba and a Lyon café, encapsulates the atmosphere of the time. Through liner notes, restored audio, and archival photos, this release offers a deep dive into the Maghreb “k7” club scene of Lyon, celebrating a unique chapter in music history.
This collection is more than just music; it’s a cultural artifact, a sonic time capsule of a specific era and place. It reminds us of the power of music to transcend borders and generations, all captured on the humble “k7”. Discover the sounds of MAGHREB K7 CLUB and journey back to the vibrant music scene of Lyon in the 80s and 90s, a time when “k7” tapes ruled the airwaves and imaginations of music lovers.
