Abdel Ali Slimani

Abdel Ali Slimani was born in the U Anasser District of Algiers, the heart of a vibrant cosmopolitan port with one eye on Europe, the other on Africa. Music was a pervasive aspect of his childhood, from traditional Saharan and Berber dances, to Western funk, to reggae and Arab styles. During his teens he witnessed the explosion of Rai music, a youthful revolution headed by Khaled. Ali was entranced and dreamed of becoming a singer.

After traveling and working around Europe he settled in England, where he became known as a DJ and Rai enthusiast amongst the North African community in London, whipping up storms at weddings and parties as well as singing and playing impromptu sessions.

When in 1991, Jah Wobble was looking for a new singer for his Invaders of the Heart Band, Ali came to his attention. Within three weeks of their first meeting, he was singing on stage at WOMAD festival in Toronto, Canada. The new Invaders line-up caused a sensation.

Over the next three years Ali Slimani was an integral part of the Invaders of the Heart line-up which transcended musical boundaries and created powerful and inspiring music, in concerts all over the world and on record. His contribution to the classic "Take Me To God" album was considered by many to be a highlight of a star-studded album.

Ali duetted with Sinead O'Connor on the 12" version of her "Fire In Babylon" single and put in an astonishing performance on Top of the Pops, the first Arab singer ever to appear on this legendary TV programme.

Mraya is an assured debut, with Abdel Ali Slimani's Algerian Rai roots finding solid ground with trance-like grooves. The album's theme reflects the emigre looking back at his home to which he cannot return, the music taking Rai to new areas, but retaining the spirit of its desert roots.