El Harrachi’s late father Dahmane was one of the great stars of the popular North African style known as chaabi (it translates as “of the people”) and wrote “Ya Rayah”, which has become Algeria’s unofficial national anthem and was an international hit for Rachid Taha. Kamel honours this rich heritage on a set that combines his own songs with updated versions of standards from his father’s repertoire. Singing in a thrillingly guttural baritone over an all-acoustic backing of oud, violin, piano, double bass and traditional percussion, he ranges from classical virtuosity to folk and pop styles with an alluring whiff of exotic mystery at every turn.