Various: Indestructible Arabian Beats

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald Rating: * * *)

Some years ago, by way of paraphrasing the famous line about Bruce Springsteen, I joked in print, "I have seen the future of rock'n'roll and it's North African".

Okay, it doesn't threaten careers at the Comedy Fest. But the Master Musicians of Jajouka, Algerian rai, the swooping strings in Egyptian music, the stunning Natacha Atlas with Transglobal Underground, Moroccan rap (by Parisian artists usually), and even Plant and Page from Led Zepp working with musicians from the region for the No Quarter album are convincing evidence of the rich tapestry of music in that arc of Africa.

This collection might not be as persuasive, but it is an amusing diversion into the right-hand side of the region courtesy of Arabic pop tunes.

Recent Womad guest Rachid Taha is here with his rollicking Medina, Atlas teams up with American jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Turkish percussionist Burhan Ocal for the dramatic Hahihi, and if you think you recognise Hakim's La Luchacha Turca it's because it is the original of Kiss Kiss, which was a hit for former Neighbours star Holly Valance.

This isn't high culture or authentic folk from the region. This is poppy, seductive (Amina with singer Zohar) and has elements of techno (Momo's Dar) and trance (the seven-minute Chebbo). It rocks in places, and gets weird, orchestrated and emotional in others.

If you are open to the idea, this disc acts like free-format student radio broadcasting out of Tunis.

It might not be the future, but it is certainly the present for millions across North Africa and the Middle East, and immigrant communities in Europe.

Label: Manteca/Triton