The Cinematic Orchestra - Live in Paris, Le Trianon, 231115

In these particularly trying times in Paris, I got some much needed cinematic magic yesterday, reminding me why the Manchester combo has been my favorite band for more than a decade now.
More importantly, all along this very stirring concert, Jason Swinscoe and his crew made a fantastic case as to why Music, and Art in general, is such an essential element to the human kind. A long-lasting cement holding us together, in the face of the many obscurantist forces around.

Revisiting several of their classics, the band is also taking the opportunity of this tour to unveil several promising new tracks, hopefully signalling a much awaited 2016 new album?

Jason is also introducing several new members to the mix, who perfectly mingle into the Cinematic Orchestra's signature (brilliant new female singers, as well as an incredible pianist). Among the main featurings, an old companion of the combo,singer/guitarist Grey Reverend, but also a great surprise for me with the presence of another of my cherished nu-jazz artists, LA-based violinist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. leading a superb cello/violin trio.

Their tour is pretty short, so check out their upcoming gigs if you do not wanna miss an intense moment of peace and spirituality!

Here are a couple of video extracts to get a feeling of this unforgettable moment. Never mind the poor image quality, just close your eyes...

V4YS Concert Review - Chris Dave & The Drumhedz - Live In Paris, New Morning - 241014

My favorite rhythm architect was back in town last week for another very special drummin' odissey.

After blowing me away with his first Drumhedz crew last year, Chris "Daddy" Dave gathered a new explosive team for this second tour, which will give birth to a proper LP, to be released in March 2015.

Marcus Strickland, Paris, 241014

In a sax / keyboards / bass formation, Chris once again offered a fascinating journey into the rhythmic foundations of Black music.

From  the 50/60's classic Jazz era to the 70's Hancock-fusion style sound, from Fela's afrobeat to the golden hip-hop years of the 90's, this true beats historian knows it all. His crazy covers are authentic creations, his freaky drum solos some kind of magnetic black hole, where we all end up slave to the rhythm.


Add to the mix three talented musicians, among whom Sax player Marcus Strickland, and you certainly do not want to miss the action of his upcoming tour dates.

A few video extracts below to get a grasp of the fun:

For the drums freaks around, some solos:

V4YS Concert Review - Jazz à La Villette, Year 1959 Tribute - Eric Legnini & Friends vs Ray Charles - 060914

Sandra Nkaké, 060914 - Photo Vincent B.

"Jazz is not dead" is this year's Jazz à La Villette festival mantra. Well, "Groove ain't dead either" , judging by the massive gig closing this "Year 1959" special day in a packed Cabaret Sauvage.

After Miles and Coltrane, 1959s funky side was effectively on display, with belgium pianist Eric Legnini vision of Ray Charles' early works, especially his What'd I Say album.

As much as I enjoy Eric's jazz productions, I get even more excited when I see him letting his piano aside to focus on a Rhodes. I got even more excited when I realised he had invited two of the funkiest singers around to join him, Sandra Nkaké and Alice Russel.
Add to this a red-hot band and the talented young flutist/singer Elena Pinderhugues, and you have a recipe for some serious fun.

Sandra Nkaké, Elena Pinderhugues, Alice Russel - Photo Vincent B.

Setting the pace with his uber-groovy Rhodes lines, Eric Legnini let ample space to his vocal guests, who litterally turned the Cabaret Sauvage upside down.

Special mention to Sandra Nkaké, who once again blew me away, not only with her powerful voice but also her enthusiasm, humor and energy. I truly believe she's currently one of the most overlooked soul/funk female singer.


No Artelive recording for this one, but get a quick grasp of the atmosphere with this little video of their hot Ray Charles' Talkin' Bout You cover:




Thanks to my friend Vincent for the beautiful pics!

"Great Black Music" Exhibition & Femi Kuti Live - Cité de la Musique, Paris - 170414

Whether you're a hard-core "black music" fan, or a novice simply willing to know more about this music's origins, many styles and leading artistic figures, the recently opened Great Black Music exhibition at La Cité de la Musique is a must-see.

Adopting an efficient multimedia format, the event composes a fascinating puzzles where History collides with individual artists lives to explain the roots and subsequent developments of Black Music.
From Blues to Jazz, from Samba to Salsa, from Afrobeat to Hip-Hop, you'll get to know more about them all, and even learn a few dance tricks if you wish!

Open until August 2014, all infos here.

Femi Kuti, Paris, 170414

And what better way of truly launching the event than to invite Femi Kuti and his afrobeat vibes, as a wink at his father's immense legacy?

Alternating between tracks from the now classic Shoki, Shoki album, and songs from the recently released No Place For My Dream LP, he offered his refreshing afrobeat cocktail spided-up by politically conscious messages, wrapped in a healthy dose of humor.




Good news, you can watch the full gig for a few weeks, thanks to La Cité de la Musique NetTv channel: FULL GIG VIDEO STREAM (available until Aug17th)






Que vous soyez un passionné de musique black, croyant connaître son Fela, son Marvin ou son Aretha sur le bout des ongles, ou un novice curieux de comprendre les origines de ces courants musicaux, mais aussi leurs principaux styles et figures artistiques, courez donc visiter l'exposition Great Black Music, qui a ouvert récemment ses portes à la Cité de la Musique.

Femi Kuti, Paris, 170414

Adoptant un format multimédia efficace et ludique, la visite relie brillamment l'Histoire des hommes à celles des artistes pour brosser un portrait exhaustif et poignant des racines de la Black Music et de ses multiples développements.
Du Blues au Jazz, de la Samba à la Salsa, de l'Afrobeat au Hip-Hop, rien ne vous échappera. Vous aurez même peut-être l'occasion d'y apprendre quelques pas de danse...
Expo ouverte jusqu'au 24 août 2014, infos ici.


Et quelle meilleure idée pour vraiment lancer l'événement que d'inviter sur la scène de la Cité de la Musique Femi Kuti, histoire de faire revivre le temps d'un soir le Shrine mythique de son père, dont l'oeuvre est par ailleurs très bien mise en valeur dans l'expo. Depuis les classiques de son album culte Shoki Shoki, jusqu'aux morceaux de son nouveau disque No Place For My Dream, l'afrobeat incandescent et le message politique engagé de Femi furent une conclusion idéale à la visite.

Bonne nouvelle, le concert est disponible en streaming vidéo pour quelques semaines grâce à la NetTv de la Cité de la Musique, bonne écoute!

Robert Glasper Experiment - Live In Paris, La Cigale (130314)

Disclaimer: no, this blog is not dedicated to the genius of Robert Glasper and his Experiment crew, even though I acknowledge the regular posts I write to highlight their work may be misleading. But hey, they simply deserve the love!

So here is another quick post on Robert, Derrick Hodge, Casey Benjamin and Mark Colenburg to mention their latest beautiful live act in Paris last Thursday. Centered around the recent Black Radio 2 LP, this gig also gave them the opportunity to share the stage with another high profile voice of the R&B scene, Raheem DeVaughn.

If their wicked Jazz/Soul/Groove recipe is now well known, they somehow keep making it tastier. Starting with stunning versions of their brilliant studio compositions, adding some massive classic jazz/soul roots tributes (Bill Withers' Lovely Day cover), having fun revisiting some contemporary electro/pop tunes (Daft Punk's Get Lucky got jazzier once again) or offering an ultra-groovy version of Raheem DeVaughn's hit Woman.

So I'm afraid I'm not done harassing you with the Glasper galaxy anytime soon...but I'm sure these little video extracts will help explain my musical obsession!

Come on, Let It Ride, and try to resist the insanely warm Rhodes lines starting around 7'30'':


Then will you get some Raheem DeVaughn magic? "Oh Yeah!"


Enough to have a Lovely Day ?

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Live In Paris, New Morning - 230114

I was pretty short in energy these last few days, I needed something strong, something hot, something colourful to get things going. Healthier than any kind of vitamin supplements crap, an evening with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble seemed like a much more promising prescription. Well…it was. 

Rocco, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Paris, 230114

The Chicago-based crew simply turned the New Morning upside down yesterday, with its powerful classic brass sound, spiced up with old-school hip-hop. 

Energetic, joyful, funny and terribly funky, the Cohran brothers turn their horns into weapon of mass  reconciliation. Their music is not for i-pods, it’s made to be shared live. So therapists and pills makers beware, these guys are a serious business threat!


A glimpse of the atmosphere... : 

Plus efficace que n’importe quelle boite de vitamines, une soirée avec l’HypnoticBrass Ensemble devrait figurer en tête de liste des prescriptions "anti-coup de mou" par tout généraliste un tant soi peu sérieux. 

La fanfare de Chicago l’a brillamment prouvé hier soir, en retournant littéralement un New Morning, qui en a pourtant vu d’autres. Remontant imparable, leur chaleureux Jazz/Funk de rue s’acoquine parfaitement avec leur amour du Hip-Hop old-school. 
Energiques, drôles, joyeux et terriblement funky, les 8 frères Cohran ne font pas de la musique pour i-pod. Leur son fraternel se partage, il se vit ensemble, en chair et en os. A l’heure de l’Obamacare, les mutuelles pourraient songer à prendre en charge une séance annuelle en compagnie de leurs cuivres. Elles économiseraient sans doute bien des remboursements de psy!

V4YS Concert Review - Juveniles - Live at Elektricity Festival, Reims - 210913

As we get closer to year-end, I need to start thinking of the blog's annual favorite records selection. Some names already clearly stand ahead of the pack in 2013, such as Rennes-based indie-electro duo Juveniles' self-titled debut LP.

The band offered an exciting live performance this we at Reims' Elektricity Festival, an event created 10 years ago by none other than their musical guardian angel, local hero Yuksek, who co-produced the record.

Jean-Sylvain Le Gouic's magnetic voice and Thibaut Doray's powerful drumming get magnified on stage by the addition of a couple energetic young musicians, taking care of bass, percussion, machines and keyboards. Actively touring since the LP release, Juveniles have found the right live formula with this well-balanced quartet format. Adding a delightful funky touch to their hypnotic new wave anthems, they're open to deliver a healthy dose of brotherly vibrations. They're still on the road for a few weeks, catch them if you can !

Upcoming tour dates here, a couple of video extracts below, We Are Young followed by a funky medley of Void (In & Out Of The) & Truth :





La fin de l'année pointe tout doucement le bout de son nez, je commence donc à réfléchir à la sélection Vibes4YourSoul Favorite Records, version 2013. Plusieurs disques m'ont d'ores-et-déjà totalement conquis, comme le premier album du duo indie/electro rennais Juveniles, dont je vous vantais les mérites avant l'été. Si j'avais eu encore quelques doutes à leur sujet, ils auraient définitivement disparu ce we, en vertu de leur concert enthousiasmant lors du festival rémois Elektricity (dont le créateur n'est autre que l'ange gardien musical du duo, et accessoirement régional de l'étape, le producteur Yuksek).

Après avoir beaucoup tourné depuis la sorti du disque, Jean-Sylvain Le Gouic et Thibaut Doray ont trouvé la bonne formule live. Celle qui met en valeur la voix magnétique du premier et la rythmique envoûtante du second. La recette, c'est un format à quatre où deux jeunes musiciens de talent font résonner basse, synthés, machines et percussions à leurs côtés. A la clé une touche funky qui pimente leur chaleureux hymnes New Wave, et une sensation indéfinissable de fraternité qui déferle sans discontinuer. Ils continuent sur leur lancée un peu partout en France et en Europe d'ici à la fin de l'année, ne ratez pas la vague !

Deux petits extraits vidéos ci-dessus.

V4YS Concert Review - M1, Brian Jackson, Sandra Nkaké & The New Midnight Band - Gil Scott-Heron Re-visioned - Jazz à la Villette Festival - 110913

Sandra Nkaké, Paris, 091113 - Photo Vincent B.

Well, well, well...what a musical week in northern Paris !

As often at the Jazz à La Villette Festival, the hottest night takes place at the Cabaret Sauvage, a cosy magic mirror circus tent subject to immediate musical ignitions. And ignited I was, even before the night started, at the simple idea of a Gil Scott-Heron tribute night led by his legendary partner Brian Jackson, followed by one of my favorite contemporary jazz/soul singer, Gregory Porter.

Teaming-up with DJ & producer Kentyah Fraser, Brian Jackson recently set up a little dream team of his own (rapper M1 from US rap duo Dead Prez, drummer Mike Clark from The Headhunters, Chuck D, Gregory Porter among others...) to record  Evolutionary Minded, a remarkable album revisiting Gil Scott-Heron immense legacy, out on Motema Records.

Brian Jackson, Paris, 091113 - Photo Vincent B.

Inviting french soul/jazz singer Sandra Nkaké to this project's first live show, they delivered a vibrant tribute to Gil's music and words, whose humanist message resonate ever more loudly these days.

M1, Paris, 091113 - Photo Vincent B.

Winter In America, The Bottle, Liberation Song (Red, Black Green) and many more Gil's classics were given a groovy Hip-Hop touch thanks to M1's red-hot flow and Sandra Nkaké's contagious energy and powerful voice. Add to the mix some world-class musicians, such as the incredible flute player Jî Drû and some veteran musicians from Gil's original Midnight Express Band, and we were in for an unforgettable set.


Check it by yourself with this little video I took of their phenomenal Winter In America cover !

More Gil Scott-Heron on Vibes4YourSoul with our little 2011 tribute and our reviews, photos and videos of his last Parisian gigs, back in 2010 and 2011.


Thanks to Vincent B. for his beautiful photos!

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Je coche en général avec une attention particulière les soirées du festival Jazz à la Villette se déroulant au Cabaret Sauvage, réflexe pavlovien du à la quantité insensée d'émotions musicales que j'ai eu la chance de vivre dans ce chaleureux petit chapiteau façon magic mirrors. Surdose de bonheur de plus cette année, avec une soirée de rêve combinant un hommage à Gil Scott-Heron sous l'égide de son légendaire partenaire Brian Jackson, puis une seconde partie en compagnie de l'un de mes chanteurs contemporains soul/jazz favori, Gregory Porter.

A l'initiative du DJ et producteur américain Kentyah Fraser, Brian Jackson a récemment rassemblé une véritable "dream team" (le rappeur M1 du duo Dead Prez, le batteur Mike Clark des Headhunters, Chuck D, Gregory Porter...) pour enregistrer Evolutionary Minded, un émouvant album revisitant l'oeuvre de Gil Scott-Heron, sorti cet été sur le label Motema Records.

Présentant pour la première fois ce projet en live, Brian et Kentiah ont eu la bonne idée d'inviter la chanteuse Sandra Nkaké pour offrir un pendant Groove au flot hip-hop incandescent de M1. A la clé un vibrant hommage à la musique, mais aussi aux mots de Gil, dont la pertinence des messages humanistes résonne toujours aussi fort aujourd'hui.
Winter In America, The Bottle, Liberation Song (Red, Black Green) et bien d'autres classiques furent tour-à-tour revisités. Le subtil vernis hip-hop/groove apporté par ce New Midnight Band est du plus bel effet, avec un véritable coup de coeur pour l'incroyable jeune flûtiste Jî Drû, coupable d'avoir fait s'envoler le chapiteau à lui tout seul ! 
Un set mémorable, dont je vous propose de deviner l'intensité avec cette petite vidéo de la splendide relecture de l'éternel titre de Gil, Winter In America.

Plus de clins d'oeil à Gil Scott-Heron sur Vibes4YourSoul avec notre petit hommage de 2011 et nos reviews de ses deux inoubliables derniers concerts à Paris, en 2010 et 2011.

V4YS Concert Review - Gregory Porter - Jazz à la Villette Festival - 110913

Gregory Porter, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

Busy week for Gregory Porter. At the same time he was releasing his highly anticipated third album Liquid Spirit on Blue Note, he was in for a couple of gigs at the Jazz à la Villette festival.

Yosuke Sato, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

Focusing on his "soul side", this set at the Cabaret Sauvage gave him the opportunity to demonstrate why he's quickly become one of the most fascinating jazz/soul singer around. 
Alternating between the most energetic tracks from his repertoire, including his new LP, (1960 What!, On My Way To Harlem, Free...) and his "romantic" soul songs (Be Good, No Love Dying, Real Good Hands...) he gave a wonderful snapshot of what genuine old-school Soul music is all about. Marvin, Bill or Donny style !

Emanuel Harrold, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

His immense singing talent has us easily forget another key ingredient of his success : the quality of his quartet (Chip Crawford on piano, Yosuke Sato on sax, Aaron James on bass and Emanuel Harrold on drums). 
Gregory's gigs are an opportunity to give each of these world-class musicians a fair share of credit. On stage, he's nicely sharing the spotlights, and everyone gets ample room to deliver stunning solos. My personal favorite that night was Chip Crawford, whose flamboyant style made me think of Japanese piano whizz-girl Hiromi.

Chip Crawford, Paris, 110913 - Photo Vincent B.

Find below a little video extract, Real Good Hands :

Thanks to Vincent B. for his beautiful photos.

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Semaine chargée pour Gregory Porter. Au moment où il sort son troisième album, Liquid Spirit, disque très attendu sur le label Blue Note, il était à l'affiche de deux dates du festival Jazz à la Villette.
Pour ce set au Cabaret Sauvage c'est sa face soul qui était à l'honneur. En l'espace d'une heure et demie il a pu démontrer pourquoi il est devenu aussi rapidement l'une des chanteurs jazz/soul les plus fascinants du moment.
Une sélection de ses titres les plus énergiques (1960 What!, On My Way To Harlem, Free...) et de ses balades souls les plus "romantiques" (Be Good, No Love Dying, Real Good Hands...), lui a permis d'offrir une revue impeccable d'une Soul authentique, qui rappelle les plus belles heures de Marvin, Bill ou Donny... On a par la même occasion pu découvrir plusieurs morceaux de son nouveau disque, véritable chronique d'un nouveau succès annoncé.
Son immense talent de chanteur nous fait souvent oublier l'un des ingrédients majeurs de son succès : la qualité de son quartet (Chip Crawford au piano, Yosuke Sato au sax, Aaron James à la basse et Emanuel Harrold à la batterie). Ses concerts sont l'occasion de réparer cette erreur. Il y laisse en effet beaucoup de lumière à ces musiciens de classe mondiale, qui disposent de toute la place pour s'exprimer, notamment via de nombreux solos ravageurs. A ce petit jeu, le pianiste Chip Crawford eut ma préférence, évoquant par son style flamboyant les shows époustouflants de la jeune prodige japonaise Hiromi.

Ci-dessus petit extrait vidéo, Real Good Hands.

V4YS Concert Review - Seun Kuti feat. Christian Scott & M-1 - Live at Jazz à La Villette Festival, Paris - 040913

In need of a "post-summer / back-to-work" anti-depressing gimmick, I could not find better prescription than spending an evening with Seun Kuti live. Icing on the cake, the Jazz à la Villette festival artistic direction once again found a special trick to make the night even more exciting by inviting one of the most talented contemporary jazz trumpet player, Christian Scott, as well as hip-hop MC M-1 from NY duo Dead Prez.

I.T.T., Zombie, Shuffering & Shmiling...Fela Kuti classics were obviously a highlight of the show but so were some Seun's unreleased original songs such as African Airways, were he once again demonstrated his ability to echo his father talent for writing fierce, cynical but always funny rumblings evoking the numerous plagues hurting Africa.

 Christian Scott splendid energetic jazz trumpet solos reminded me of Fela early days as a highlife jazz musician while M-1 offered a (too short) glimpse of his talent for politically conscious flow.

After these 2 hours of authentic afrobeat, I left the Cité de la Musique sweaty but full of positive energy, and I could not help but think that the growing baby in the belly of one of Seun Kuti's obviously pregnant dancer
must have enjoyed the vibes as well !



Enjoy some beautiful pictures coutesy of my friend Vincent B., as well as hints of this great afrobeat night with these couple of videos, African Airways & 16 minutes of joy & energy with the cover of Fela's Shufferign & Smiling featuring Christian Scott & M-1 :

Christian Scott, Paris, 040913

M-1, Paris, 040913

V4YS Concert Review - Erik Truffaz Quartet - Live in Paris, New Morning - 300713

July in Paris can be sweaty and boring...but extremely funky too!

If you don't mind the occasional polluted heatwaves, the temporarily deserted city offers some rare musical moments to those still around. After Robert Glasper a few days ago, I could not resist spending another (almost) one-to-one evening with some world class musicians. To get the Groove going at the New Morning, Erik Truffaz and his quartet delivered a red-hot plate of their inimitable warm nu-jazz sound.

A journey through their 15-years-long repertoire, this laid-back session highlighted the difference between a "rhythmic section" and a real "band". If Erik Truffaz's name is more than famous, people tend to forget he is indivisible from his quartet. Present since his beginnings back in 1997, drummer Marc Erbetta and bass player Marcello Giuliani are treasures in their own rights and part of my little "must see" live musicians list.
Added to the line-up in 2010 on piano/keyboards following the departure of Patrick Muller, Benoit Corboz quickly fit in, thanks to his energetic

Marc Erbetta, New Morning, 300713

& groovy style.

If their success has them regularly fill large venues, their complicity and cohesion is nowhere best to be felt than in a little club such as the New Morning.
Get a glimpse of their magical Groove with this little video extract. One of my favorite tracks from Erik, Siegfried is to be found in his classic 1999 LP Bending New Corners, their live version yesterday night still has me shivering !

Marcello Giulian, New Morning, 300713

Benoit Corboz, New Morning, 300713

V4YS Concert Review - Robert Glasper Experiment - Live in Paris, New Morning - 250713

I can't keep track anymore of how many Robert Glasper gigs I've been to these last few years, still, I never get tired of seeing him jamming with his Experiment crew (Casey Benjamin, Derrick Hodge & Mark Colenburg).
With these guys, each and every night is different and you never know in advance where they'll bring you to.

Latest case in point with their back-to-back visits to the New Morning this week, where they delivered fresh new live versions of their acclaimed LP Black Radio as well as some colourful surprises. A funky cover of Daft Punk's hit Get Lucky, a moving version of Donald Byrd's Think Twice, some inevitable hints at Jay Dilla were just the tips of an insanely groovy iceberg. A special big up to drummer Mark Colenburg who was definitely red-hot !

Get ready for more great sounds from them very soon, as bassist Derrick Hodge will release his eagerly awaited first LP on Blue Note, while Robert will deliver a Black Radio Part2 at the end of the year !

A couple of video extracts from the concert below :

Vibes4YourSoul Concert Review - Worldwide Festival 2013, Sète, France

Back from a sunny and groovy week in south of France where I enjoyed Gilles Peterson's home-made Worldwide Festival.


Truthful to his eclectic musical approach (actually a long-time inspirational figure for me as a DJ and a blog editor), Gilles once again set up a very interesting line-up, blending old-school jazz/soul sounds to the most adventurous electro acts .






Among my favorite moments, the astonishing samba gig from the legendary Marcos Valle, brilliantly supported by Lucas Santtana, and another massive jazz/hip-hop moment courtesy of the craziest drummer around, Chris "Daddy" Dave and his friends from the Drumhedz.
Following her acclaimed debut LP, UK gospel/soul singer Laura Mvula confirmed her angel-like voice is even sweeter heard live, while among countless quality DJ sets, I'll keep in mind Kenny Dope Gonzales' red-hot review of classic hip-hop/groove tracks.


Next to these confirmed artists, the festival once again offered some space for young up-and-coming names. Among others, it allowed us to discover UK songwriter Ady Suleiman "Kiwanuka/Keziah Jones-like" acoustic soul finesse or French producer débruit "London-like" bass music hurricane.


A few videos glimpses below, all taken during the first 3 days, hosted in the dream location of Sète's Theatre de la Mer!

Chris Dave, Sète, 030713

De retour du Worldwide Festival 2013, concocté comme toujours de main de maître par Gilles Peterson. Fidèle à son univers musical éclectique, le plateau pointu offert par Gilles nous a promené entre racines Jazz/Soul jusqu'aux territoires electros les plus aventureux. A la clé, beaucoup de soleil...et surtout un incroyable kaléidoscope sonore.

Parmi les grands moments de cette édition, la parenthèse samba enchantée offerte par le légendaire Marcos Valle, brillamment aidé par l'étoile montante de la scène brésilienne Lucas Santtana, mais aussi un concert hip-hop/Jazz mémorable de plus de la part du batteur Chris Dave et de ses comparse du Drumhedz. J'ai aussi expérimenté la musique des anges, avec la confirmation de la gràce de Laura Mvula, dont le premier album gospel/soul est encore plus émouvant en version live. Parmi les innombrables DJ sets de qualité, je retiendrai surtout le condensé de classiques hip-hop/groove/latin, servi brûlant par le maître nuorican Kenny Dope Gonzales.

Mais le Worldwide Festival c'est aussi de l'espace laissé à de jeunes artistes en devenir. On aura entre autres pu apprécier la finesse de la soul acoustique de l'anglais Ady Suleiman (qui évoque les univers de Michael Kiwanuka ou de Keziah Jones), ou la bass music très londonienne du français débruit.

Ci-dessus quelques extraits videos, tous pris dans le merveilleux Théatre de la Mer, qui accueillait (malheureusement) seulement les trois premières journées du festival.

V4YS Concert Review - José James - Live at Alhambra, Paris - 240413

To the risk of sounding like a broken record (oddly enough for a music blog), I'm once again gonna talk about the incredible José James !

Already back in Paris yesterday after his recent New Morning show, the NY singer once again stepped up his game to offer another authentic journey into a musical universe made of Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop and Groove. 

Supported by his world class quartet (Richard Spaven on drums, Takuya Turoda on Trumpet, Solomon Dorsey on bass, and a brilliant newcomer on keyboards/piano, Kris Bowers), he gave a somehow groovier performance than his 2012 Paris shows, closer to the studio sound of his outstanding new LP No Beginning, No End.

A José James show, it's also a unique opportunity to look back at the history of american black music. This time around he paid some massive tributes to Marvin Gaye & Bill Withers in the form of breathtaking medleys, while also hinting Leon Ware and Bob Marley. Icing on the cake, the inspired featuring of Moroccan soul/folk singer Hindi Zahra, who conveyed a healthy dose of emotion and sweetness. 

Finally some more good news : his Japanese trumpet player Takuya Turoda just recorded a solo LP, which will be produced by José himself and subsequently released on Blue Note. A sure winner !

No nice pics this time (courtesy of a strict policy at the Alhambra theater), but a little video of José & Hindi cover of my favorite Bob Marley song, Waiting In Vain :

V4YS Concert Review - Leon Ware feat. Incognito - Live in Paris, New Morning - 140213

Let's try not to use the word "legend" in this post...quite hard when you wanna evoke a night with an iconic singer & songwriter of the 60's/70's Soul scene, supported by core members of one of the most revered acid-jazz band of these last 30 years !

Leon Ware celebrated this week his 73d birthday on the stage of the New Morning in Paris, with the help of some Incognito musicians, among whom guitarist & band founder Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick.

If the word Groove needs a clear definition, then this night must be it. From Leon's classic songs like Rockin' You Eternally, Musical Massage, Why I Came To California... to incredible covers of timeless tracks he wrote for Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Maxwell or Marvin Gaye (I Wanna Be Where You Are, Inside My Love, Sumthin' Sumthin', I Want You...), this Valentine's day night was almost too hot to be true!

Add to that Leon Ware's sense of humor, an incredibly colourful orchestration made in "Bluey" Maunick, the soulful voice of UK singer Vanessa Haynes and a cool featuring from an underground french MC and you get a moment of pure delight.




Here are a few video extracts, so let's groove !



Défi pour cette chronique : ne pas utiliser le mot "légende". Une vraie gageure lorsqu'on doit évoquer une soirée en compagnie d'une véritable icône de la scène Soul/Groove des années 60's/70's et de plusieurs membre du groupe acid-jazz le plus célèbre de ces trente dernières années.

Le chanteur et songwriter Leon Ware a en effet fêté cette semaine sur la scène du New Morning son 73ème anniversaire, en compagnie d'une partie du groupe Incognito, dont son fondateur, le guitariste Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick. 

Depuis les classiques de son immense carrière solo Rockin' You Eternally, Musical Massage, Why I Came To California... jusqu'à une série de covers de titres inoubliables qu'il a écrit pour Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Maxwell ou bien sur Marvin Gaye (I Wanna Be Where You Are, Inside My Love, Sumthin' Sumthin', I Want You...), cette soirée de la Saint-Valentin a rarement eu autant de sens...Ode à l'amour sans doute, ce concert fut surtout une définition parfaite du mot "Groove" grâce l'orchestration impeccable made in "Bluey" Maunick. L'humour facétieux de Leon Ware, la superbe voix de la jeune chanteuse anglaise Vanessa Haynes, et un excellent featuring d'un MC français ont corsé l'addition d'une soirée de rêve.
Ci-dessus quelques extraits vidéos...so let's groove !

V4YS Concert Review - Chris Dave & The Drumhedz - Live at New Morning, Paris - 191112

Chris Dave

"Keep an open-mind and imagine you're spending the night digging records in your favorite underground music store" is roughly how Chris Dave introduced his live project with his musicians from the Drumhedz yesterday night ath the New Morning in Paris.

Well, a hell of a records store that was !

The kind of joint offering white labels of crazy free-jazz versions of Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillepsie, Jimi Hendrix, Fela Kuti, Blondie or 90's Hip-Hop classics.

The kind of place you'd not want to leave at closing time, even after a 2h30mn-long torrent of  beats.

The kind of place you don't really find anymore in fact...except in Chris Dave's fantasy music world !

Kebbi Williams

Displaying once again his phenomenal drumming skills, discontructing, reconstructing, discontructing again to reconstruct another way any rythmic line, he also managed to build a strong band around him.

Jermaine Williams

If I already knew charismatic sax/flute player Kebbi Williams from Chris' previous visit in Paris in 2011, I discovered with an incredulous feeling the brillant bass player Jermaine Williams and guitar whizz-kid Isaiah "Sharkey" Thomas, whose complicity with our favorite drummer is simply joyful.


Possibly my favorite gig of 2012 !

Isaiah "Sharkey" Thomas

Below a few video extracts :







"Imaginez simplement que vous passez la soirée chez votre disquaire favori, à piocher sans préjugé au hasard de bacs remplis de pépites". Tel est en gros la façon dont le génial batteur Chris Dave a introduit hier soir au New Morning son nouveau projet live avec ses compères du Drumhedz.

Vous parlez d'un disquaire ! Le genre d'endroit où l'on tombe sur une ribambelle de reprises déjantées façon free-jazz d'Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillepsie, Jimi Hendrix, Fela Kuti, Blondie ou d'airs Hip-Hop sortis des 90's. Le genre de shop où vous aurez tendance à supplier pour gratter encore 10mn d'écoute à l'heure de la fermeture. Bref le genre d'endroit qui n'éxiste plus trop de nos jours...sauf dans le monde musical parallèle de mister Dave !

Une fois de plus absolument incroyable à la batterie, il n'en finit plus de détruire, reconstruire, détruire encore pour reconstruire de mille autres façons un nombre infini de lignes rythmiques. Il est aussi devenu un réel band leader, sachant s'entourer et emmener dans son tourbillon créatif des musiciens incroyables. Si je connaissais le charismatique saxophoniste Kebbi Williams qui l'accompagnait déjà lors de sa précedente venue l'an passé, j'ai découvert ahuri le bassiste Jermaine Williams et surtout le prometteur guitariste Isaiah "Sharkey" Thomas dont la complicité avec Chris est juste jouissive.

Peut-être le meilleur concert que j'ai vu cette année !

Plusieurs extraits vidéos ci-dessus.