A more accessible fifth album from Belgian group Absynthe Minded, As It Ever Was, offers up some solid, radio-friendly pop, with a few welcome forays into jazz and klezmer.
Viewed as the song that spawned African reggae, Brigadier Sabari came to light three decades ago in an Abidjan studio on Alpha Blondy’s first album. We look back on the story behind a ground-breaking song and the album that featured it, Jah Glory.
Barely a year after its release in Quebec, Robert Charlebois’ new album, Tout est bien, is available in France at last. Coming a decade after the spare Doux Sauvage, the collection brings us twelve new symphonically orchestrated songs that already sound like classics. RFI Musique met up with the Canadian singer.
Captain Kid, a Parisian, has released his first album 67 songs on Discograph label. The album is beautifully sculptured pop, hewn by an architect of sound, Julien Ribot.
Mory Kanté, who is in his sixties, has created an album filled with empathy for his fellow-countrywomen in his latest release, La Guinéenne. In 1987, he showcased his ability with Yeke Yeke, the album where he made his indisputable mark on African music. An interview.
Ten years ago, Rodolphe Burger borrowed the expression "This is a Velvet Underground song that I’d like to sing" from the singer Nico for a track on Meteor Show Extended. Now the alchemist of French rock is reactivating his Dernière Bande label with a new album that pays a faithful tribute to the cult group from Warhol’s Factory.
When the Guinean Djeli Moussa Condé moved to Paris he set up home in Ménilmontant. In the heart of this working-class neighbourhood, the kora player dreamed up a world-style album with the help of percussionist, arranger and producer Vincent Lassalle.
The Malian twosome Amadou & Mariam are back with a new album, Folila. With its roots firmly planted in Mali, the collection takes added inspiration from some of the couple’s international alliances, and in particular Français Bertrand Cantat.
He’s 33 and comes from the Congo, but don’t expect Léon Malele to play rumba. With its resolutely Anglo-Saxon sound, his maiden album, Chocolate, could almost be taken for American soul.
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.
