Orchestre El Gusto

Chaâbi almost disappeared, becoming a dead music for lack of fighters. This popular music was born in the Kasbah of Algiers at the beginning of the twentieth century, and was played by Muslims, Jews and Christians without distinction. The exodus of Jews and Christians after Algerian independence suddenly dried up chaâbi's vigor. In 2007, it was Englishman Damon Albarn, with a passion for world music, who produced the album Abdel Ali Halo & The El Gusto Orchestra of Algiers. Then, in January 2012, director Safinez Bousbia decided to bring together musicians of all faiths to resurrect chaâbi in his film El Gusto. A sort of Buena Vista Social Club of chaâbi, the El Gusto Orchestra's classy soundtrack splashes across this beautiful film.