OFRA HAZA “Kirya” Shanachie * *...

OFRA HAZA “Kirya” Shanachie * * 1/2 CHEB KHALED “Khaled” Barclay/Polygram * * * *

Don Was’ reputation for no-frills production has reached the Middle East--his presence is the common bond in these recordings by the leading pop stars from Israel and Algeria, respectively.

Ofra Haza’s “Kirya” focuses on the haunting, melismatic swoops that have marked her most successful singing--in fact, the focus may be too fine, since the spare arrangements don’t engage Haza’s voice frequently enough with such foils as David McMurray’s freewheeling sax, which sparks “Barefoot” and “Take 7/8.” The clear standout is “Daw Da Hiya,” which plays Haza’s singing against a narration by Iggy Pop and brilliant acoustic guitar from Randy Jacobs.

“Khaled,” the brilliant American debut by rai star Cheb Khaled, is a triumph of cosmopolitan, international pop. With production split between Was and Michael Brooks, the album seamlessly integrates rock and reggae, R&B; and European cafe, flamenco and funk, Western pop hooks and spiraling North African melodies. Visceral, punchy rhythms lay the foundation, and Khaled’s anguished singing conveys the emotion on this consistently exciting collection, which should be accessible to listeners bred on Western pop.