Abdel Ali Slimani (Arabic عبد العلي سليماني) is an Algerian raï singer. He was raised in El Anasser, Algeria, where as a teen he learned guitar and performed as a drummer at soccer matches. Finding little opportunity for musicians in his native land, he went to Paris in 1982; after a subsequent move to London, Slimani found work as a club DJ before signing on as a vocalist and percussionist with ex-PiL bassist Jah Wobble's Anglo-Arabic unit Invaders of the Heart.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played his tracks, 'Habibti' on his shows in December 1995 as well as 'S'Habi' in 2003. On his 18 December 1995 (BBC World Service) show, Peel mentioned Sinead O'Connor sings in one of Abdel Ali Slimani's tracks on the Mraya album and tells listeners 'don't let that put you off', before playing the track that didn't feature the Irish singer.
Shows Played[]
- 02 December 1995: Habibti (album - Mraya) Real World
- 09 December 1995 (BFBS): 'Habibti (CD-Mraya)' (Real World)
- 18 December 1995 (BBC World Service): Habibti (CD - Mraya) Real World
- 2003
- 13 February 2003: S'Habi (LP - Espoir - Hope) Le Chant Du Monde