Ya-Rayi

Untitled

Ya-Rayi is a studio album by Khaled, released in Europe in August 2004 and later, in a significantly different version, in the United States on June 27, 2005. The European release was dubbed a "back to the roots" album, while the United States release was dubbed a "peace through music" album.

"Ya-Rayi" means "my opinion" in Arabic. The album includes remakes of El Hadj Mohammed el Arika's "El-H'mam" and Rabah Deriasa and Blaoui Houari's "H'mama".

European edition

Track listing

1. "Mani Hani" – 3:58
2. "Ya-Rayi" – 4:01
3. "Zine Zina" – 3:43
4. "El-H'mam" – 4:30
5. "Lemen" – 4:08
6. "Yema Yema" – 3:52
7. "Ya Galbi" – 4:33
8. "H'mama" – 6:50
9. "Ensa El Hem" – 4:36
10. "Hagda" – 5:10
11. "El Ghira" – 4:36
12. "El-H'mam (Imhotep Remix)" – 3:55

US edition

The United States release of Ya-Rayi came with several changes. The biggest change of all was the inclusion of the song "Love to the People". With a big name such as Carlos Santana playing lead guitar, and Khaled singing in English, the producers of this album hope that Khaled would make his mark in the United States.

Moreover, the order of the songs was changed. Opening track "Mani Hani" was moved to the end of the album. The song "Ya-Rayi" was rerecorded, rearranged and remixed by Dawn Elder. "Zine Zina" and "El-H'mam" were removed altogether, though the remixed version of the latter remains. The songs "H'Mama" and "Ensa El Hem" where shortened by removing their intros.

The United States album release was kicked off with a concert tour in the United States and Canada. The tour was entitled "Peace through Music, 'Love to the People'". Khaled toured along with Elan Attias, KC Porter, Walfredo Reyes, Luis Conte Jr., Cheb-i-sabbah.

The tour dates where:

• July 1: Washington DC, USA, Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University
• July 3 : New York, New York, USA, Summerstage - Central Park
• July 5: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Montreal International Jazz Festival
• July 8: Los Angeles, California, USA, Grand Performances
• July 10: San Francisco, California, USA, Stern Grove Festival
• July 13: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, House of Blues
• July 14: Orlando, Florida, USA, House of Blues
• July 16: Detroit, Michigan, Concert of Colors
• July 17: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, Festival d'été de Québec

Track listing

1. "Ya-Rayi" – 4:48
2. "Love to the People (English version)" (Featuring Elan Attias and Carlos Santana) – 4:16
3. "Ya Galbi" – 4:31
4. "H'Mama" – 5:57
5. "Hagda" – 5:03
6. "Yema Yema" – 3:51
7. "Ensa El Hem" – 4:27
8. "El Ghira" – 4:34
9. "Lemen" – 4:07
10. "Mani Hani" – 3:59
11. "Love to the People (Arabic version)" (Featuring Elan Attias and Carlos Santana) – 4:19
12. "El-H'mam (Imhotep Remix)" – 3:55