Marseille - Mahgreb Rap, Algerian Rai, Pacific Creole, Congolese Rumba
The music of Marseille, allegedly the most racially harmonious of all of France's cities, and home to musicians from around the globe.
Always a fan of the cultural mix to be found in port towns, Andy went to the biggest port in Europe - Marseille, allegedly the most racially harmonious of all of France's cities, and home to musicians from around the globe.
From medieval Occitan polyphony and reggae, to Maghreb rap and a piano-playing godfather of Algerian Rai, taking in Pacific Creole and Congolese rumba à la sauce provencale, Andy uncovers a powerful sense of a personal and musical identity which is unique to Marseille.
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Music and featured items
Andy Kershaw in Marseille.
Andy Kershaw introduces us to the biggest port city in Europe - Marseille.
Duration: 03:25
Music Played
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Moussu T e lei jovents
Mademoiselle Marseille
Cor de la Plana.
Andy with Occitan polyphony group Cor de la Plana.
Duration: 13:54
Music Played
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Lo Còr de la Plana
La Noviata
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Lo Còr de la Plana
Volets Auvir
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Massilia Sound System
Live toasting
- BBC Recording on Location.
Massilia Sound System.
Andy with Massilia Sound System, introducing Reggae music to Marseille.
Duration: 07:04
Music Played
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Massilia Sound System
Parla Patois
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IAM
Petit Frère
Andy in a local radio station.
Andy in a local radio station dedicated to freedom of speech.
Duration: 12:52
Music Played
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Al Iman Staff
Mets les Gosses A l'Abri
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Watcha Clan
Nomades
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Jagdish & Kréôl Konexyan
Zamalahy
- BBC Recording on Location.
Andy in the cultural centre.
Andy in the cultural centre dedicated to Occitan culture.
Duration: 09:19
Music Played
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Jagdish & Kréôl Konexyan
Karma
- BBC Recording on Location.
Maurice El-Medioni.
Andy meets “The grandfather of Rai”, veteran pianist and singer Maurice El-Medioni.
Duration: 10:32
Music Played
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Maurice El Médioni
piano improvisation
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Maurice El Médioni
piano improvisation
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Maurice El Médioni
piano improvisation
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Khaled featuring Maurice El Médioni
Ya Taleb
Interview with Maurice el Medioni
Maurice el Medioni tells Andy about the relations between Jews and Arabs in Algeria.
Duration: 04:43
Music Played
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Maurice El Médioni & Roberto Rodriguez - Ana Ouana
The band “Bana Marseille”.
Andy Kershaw meets “the united nations of Marseille” with the band “Bana Marseille”.
Duration: 01:04:26
Music Played
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Bana Marseille
Afi (part 1)
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Bana Marseille
Afi (part 2)
Moussou T E Lei Jovents.
Andy traces the band who first introduced him to Marseille music, Moussou T E Lei Jovents.
Duration: 04:27
Music Played
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Moussu T e lei jovents
Manivette
- BBC Recording on Location.
“Mademoiselle Marseille"
Hear Moussou T E Lei Jovents’S famous song “Mademoiselle Marseille".
Duration: 02:40
Music Played
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Moussu T e lei jovents
Mademoiselle Marseille
- BBC Recording on Location.
Moussou T E Lei Jovents plays.
Andy with Moussou T E Lei Jovents, playing late at night in a small bohemian music venue.
Duration: 05:43
Music Played
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Moussu T e lei jovents
Le cul sur le Perron
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Bijan Chemirani
Tombak Improvisation
- BBC Recording on Location.
Bijan Chemirani.
Andy meets virtuoso Iranian percussionist Bijan Chemirani playing the Tombak (aka Zarb).
Duration: 10:40
Music Played
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Bijan Chemirani and Maria Simoglou
Minice Mou
- BBC Recording on Location.
Andy visits a music centre.
Andy visits a music centre where bands can hire rehearsal rooms cheaply.
Duration: 11:22
Music Played
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Psych4 De La Rhyme
Enfants de la Lune
- BBC Recording on Location.
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Psych4 De La Rhyme
Le Monde Est
- BBC Recording on Location.
Broadcasts
- Sun 5 Mar 200622:15BBC Radio 3
- Christmas Eve 200622:15BBC Radio 3

