| Bonjour | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Rachid Taha |
| Cover: | RachidTahaBonjour.jpg |
| Released: | [1] |
| Genre: | Raï, rock, world |
| Label: | Wrasse, Universal |
| Producer: | Gaetan Roussel & Mark Plati |
| Prev Title: | Rock N Raï |
| Prev Year: | 2008 |
| Next Title: | Zoom |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
Bonjour is the eighth studio album by French–Algerian singer Rachid Taha. It was released by Wrasse Records on 26 October 2009.[1]
Bonjour received mixed reviews from music critics. The Guardian reviewer Robin Denselow called the album a "A highly commercial set" that was "not [Taha's] most exciting." David Honigmann of the Financial Times rated the album three out of five stars, but wrote that its emphasis on "technology...stops [Taha] cutting loose."
"Je t'aime mon amour", Bonjours opening track, was written about Taha's partner. Its lyrics are a declaration of love for life and his partner.[2] The second track, "Mokhtar", describes the lonely life of a vagrant living in a city.[3] "Ha Baby" was inspired by country music singer Kenny Rogers and Egyptian musician Farid El Atrache.[2] The song, which blends western and Arabic musical styles, is about universal peace and love.[3] The title track, "Bonjour", is a duet with Gaetan Roussel. It was released as the album's lead single and is sung in both French and Arabic. "Mine Jaï", the fifth track, asks a series of questions. In the song, Taha asks the listener where they come from and where they are traveling to.[3]
In the song "Mabrouk Aalik", Taha reflects on the fractured relationship between Jews and Muslims.[2] The seventh track, "Ila Lika", explores life and death.[3] "It's an Arabian Song" is a rock song about the French treatment of Algerians during colonialism. The track features fellow Algerian singer Bruno Maman.[2] "Sélu" is a flamenco song that pays tribute Arab writers and philosophers such as Averroes and Naguib Mahfouz.[2] The album closes with "Agi", a ballad about love.[3]
| Region | Date | Label | Format(s) | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 19 October 2009[5] | Wrasse Records | Digital download | Wrass251 |
| 26 October 2009 | CD | |||
Source:[6]