Ray Lema, the trailblazer of inventive music who’s lived in France since the early eighties, has just re-recorded thirteen of his tracks in Brazil with the Jazz Sinfônica de São Paulo led by João Mauricio Galindo. The result is a meticulous rereading of a rare and eminently plural work.
After producing three albums as a trio, the Kora Jazz Band has doubled its numbers and taken on Manu Dibango, Andy Narell and Omar Marquez for its latest collection. An album overshadowed by bereavement following the death of kora player Soriba Kouyaté a few days after recording ended.
At 50, the jazz pianist from Martinique, Mario Canonge has reappeared with a sublime CD, Mitan, whose groove and exceptional sensitivity celebrate what he has defined as being "the middle of his life ".
There are times when you need a helping hand to reach a new milestone. To put together his fourth album, Nimissa, Guinean singer and musician Ba Cissoko was assisted by reputed producer Philippe Eidel, who has managed to draw out each song’s potential and assure some ship-shape production.
