Wewantsounds Label Reissues Les Abrains’ Coveted 1983 ‘Album No 1’ LP

Paris-based record label Wewantsounds has reissued a rare private press of Les Abrains’ highly sought-after 1983 LP ‘Album No. 1’ for the first time ever.

Formed in France in the late 1960s by two young Algerian Kabyle workers, Shamy El Vaz and Karim Abdenour, Les Abrains is one of the pioneers of the Amazigh freedom rock sound in the late 70s to early 80s. Their unique blend of early psych-rock with Kabyle rock, funk and reggae has positioned them as one of the most influential figures in the North African music scene and beyond.

Curated by Cheb Gero, who recently compiled the Sweet Rebels Rai set for Wewantsounds, ‘Album No.1’ (also known as Id Ed Was) showcases a masterful range of various sounds imbued with the Kabyle rock soul, from the reggae-infused cult classic ‘Avehri’ to the funk-driven ‘Achethkhi’ and the irresistibly groovy instrumental ‘Thadoukli’. Originally recorded in Paris, the record was initially self-released and distributed exclusively within the Kabyle and Algerian communities in France and the Maghreb.

Wewantsounds Records reissued the album with remastered audio by Colorsound Studio in Paris, the original artwork, and a two-page insert with new liner notes –in French and English–by the acclaimed Algerian journalist Rabah Mezouane. This also comes as part of the label’s program dedicated to reissuing rare old gems from the Algerian music scene.