“The three CD set Maghreb Lyon was released earlier this year on archival French record label Frémeux et Associés. It’s a marvelous collection of old cassette tapes from N. African musicians living in Lyon, France. Lyon is an industrial town in the East of France that’s actually not known for its immigrant culture or for being near any ports of entry. Many of the N. African immigrants came from Maghrebi cultures (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia especially) to Lyon to work in coal mining or industrial factories. In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, this generation gathered in cafes and created a vibrant music scene that was turning out hundreds of small-run cassette tapes. The music on these tapes is raw and full of life; full of angst too about the plight of N. African immigrants in French society. As we detail in the interview, the 80s and 90s were a tough time for Arabs in France, and the French have always had a contentious relationship with their immigrant population. Recognizing the context of this music, Place du Pont Productions and The Center for Traditional Music in the Rhône-Alpes (both of whom produced this compilation) split the CDs into themes. Disc 1 is “Exile and Belonging”, Disc 2 is “Political and Social Chronicles”, and Disc 3 is “Love, Friendship, and Betrayal”. It’s an interesting way to compile some of these recordings and it creates a series of concept albums.”
By Devon LEGER - KITHFOLK
