Starting in the late '80s as a traditional Shabee dance band, this Moroccan quintet became one of the few North African acts to successfully merge traditional and modern sounds and technology on their electrifying 1990 debut. In addition to haunting violins, mandolins, guitars, and mesmerizing Arabic vocals and chanting, the album utilized electronic tinkering and turntable DJing, aided by the post-production work of the Swiss producer Pat Jabbar. Their 1992 follow-up, Shabeesation, was produced by Bill Laswell (who also contributed bass), and featured appearances by Omar Ben Hassen of the Last Poets and Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell. ~ Richie Unterberger