Spectrum Culture's Pat Padua stated that the album "finds the master in a contemplative mood suitable for a healing ritual," and wrote: "
Aicha begins at a deliberate pace that slows the world to a meditative state. As the rhythms gradually accelerate, Gania and his band achieve a heightened sense of time; the album seems to follow a world that has slowed down, fallen into a state or urgency and then eventually found a comfortable daily rhythm." In an article for
Monolith Cocktail, Dominic Valvona commented: "Gania's signature instrument weaves a nice bluesy accompaniment to his soulful exaltations... It makes for a lively but soothing liturgy of entrancing adulation and praise... a Gnawa highlight, and a great place to begin discovering this immersive and special music." A writer for
The Vinyl Factory described
Aicha as "a masterpiece that certainly deserves Hive Mind's affectionate remaster and vinyl treatment," and remarked: "It emanates powerful energies of ritual poetry and an urgent sense of ecstatic rhythm, both of which seamlessly mingle with Gania's transcendental guimbri skills." Writing for
Music Is My Sanctuary, Oli Brunetti called the album "incredible," and stated: "To these ears, 'Aicha' could arguably be the best, readily available introduction to the deeply resonating tones of the guinbri..., call & response and vocals and trance-inducing effect of gnawa music." ==Track listing==