Ahmed Malek was an Algerian musician and composer, known primarily for his groundbreaking soundtrack work. His enduring influence combines Arabic traditions with jazz, psychedelic rock, and funky R&B. His often dark and dramatic cinematic soundscapes intersect with the musical innovations being made in African jazz by Mulatu Astatke and Bembeya Jazz National, and some of Europe's finest experimentalist composers like Pierio Piccioni and Janko Nilovic.
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Ahmed Malek was an Algerian musician and composer, known primarily for his groundbreaking soundtrack work. His enduring influence combines Arabic traditions with jazz, psychedelic rock, and funky R&B. His often dark and dramatic cinematic soundscapes intersect with the musical innovations being made in African jazz by Mulatu Astatke and Bembeya Jazz National, and some of Europe's finest experimentalist composers like Pierio Piccioni and Janko Nilovic. Malek was born in Fort-de-l'eau in 1930, and formally trained at local music schools and conservatories in Algeria and France. He earned his degree in composition. His earliest composed music was in the North African classical tradition, and he made his living during his twenties as a session player. His fascination with jazz, classical, and funky R&B led him to soundtrack work. His first film score was in 1972 for director Mousa Haddad's Les Vacances de l'inspecteur Tahar. The music was as big a hit as the film, and Malek was in-demand almost instantly. Malek passed away in Algeria in 2008. Long before his death, his recordings had become extremely collectible on the international market, which amused him greatly. In 2015, the blog-turned-record-label Habibi Funk was given Malek's entire catalog by his daughter. The label discovered a wealth of previously unheard electronic music (a fascination of his since the early '70s). They reissued Musique Original de Films globally in the spring of 2016 as their debut entry in his oeuvre.
