Ahmed Malek was an influential Algerian composer and musician, often hailed as a pioneer in the world of Arabic film music. Born in 1931 in Biskra, Algeria, Malek had a career that spanned several decades, throughout which he crafted an extensive and unique body of work that amalgamated traditional Algerian music with electronic, jazz, and cinematic sounds. He was affectionately referred to as the "Ennio Morricone of the Maghreb" for his significant contributions to film scoring in the region.

His music has been rediscovered in recent years, thanks to reissues by the Berlin-based record label Habibi Funk, which specializes in re-releasing Arab funk and jazz from the 1970s and 1980s. Albums like "Musique originale de films" (Habibi Funk 003) showcase his knack for crafting emotionally resonant soundtracks, while "The Electronic Tapes" (Habibi Funk 005) highlight his experimental side, featuring innovative electronic compositions that were ahead of their time. Releases such as “El Fen / Casbah” and “Tape 19.11 / Ayonha” demonstrate his versatility and profound impact on the Algerian music scene. Though Ahmed Malek passed away in 2008, the enduring legacy of his music continues to garner admiration from a new generation of listeners around the globe.

Genres

Arab Groove

Related Artists

Khruangbin

Soolking

Antônio Carlos Jobim

Kamasi Washington

Cheb Mami

Mulatu Astatke

Fela Kuti

Tinariwen

Habib Koité

Nass El Ghiwane

Ziad Rahbani

Hamid El Kasri

Latest Release

Thème Djalti (Habibi Funk 027)

Ahmed Malek

Single - Released June 7, 2024