The British television series Under African Skies looks at the rich musical heritage of Africa and its link to the living history of a people. In this segment, Under African Skies goes to Algeria, tracing the origins of Rai. A product of the post-colonial period, Rai is a heavily rhythmic Pop form, drawing on such varied influences as western rock and bedouin syncopations. What is intriguing is that Rai addresses the frustrations of Algerian youth in an Islamic society with a failing economy, by touching on sexual politics, class difference and other taboos. This episode features some of Rai's greatest stars, including Cheb Khaled, Chaba Fadela and Cheb Hamid. Their performances have that plaintive but angry cry of singers on the edge of change. -Steve Seid, San Francisco International Film Festival '91