Rachid Taha is a poster boy for 21st-century anti-establishment musical rebellion. An Algerian who moved to France as a kid, Taha has plenty of vigorous disdain for the forces of global nondemocracy, especially the Islamic and Western branches. On the musical tip, you’ll piss him off if you try and pigeonhole him. His raspy Arabic growl, snaky oud and rat-a-tat darbouka turn off xenophobic rockers. The chunky-funky power chords, exclamatory lyrics and rawk-star swagger send the traditionalists into a fatwa-inducing tizzy, while the edgy ’tronics make the easy-groove global loungers run for cover. Although fans may call out for his cheeky cover of "Rock El Casbah," new tunes like "Safi" and "Mamachi" and old faves such as "Ya Rayah" and "Bent Sahra" validate Taha’s house-rockin’, border-dissolvin’ credentials. (Tom Cheyney)