World Music Matters

Fanfaraï is a 12-piece brass band with a 'let's party' philosophy, bringing Afro-Cuban, Salsa, Latin and jazz influences to a chaabi and gnawa repertoire. RFI caught up with musicians Samir Inal and Hervé le Bouche at a "between the two rounds of the election" concert at Studio de l'Ermitage in Paris.

Fanfarai goes back to 2005 and began as a street orchestra in the tradition of "Idbalen" or "Zernadjia" that animated rituals and feasts in Algeria from the beginning of the century till the 1970's.

"We started off just playing in the streets, doing carnivals," founder Samir Inal told RFI.

"Then we got to play in a few festivals, but we were still more or less treated as a street band. Then because we had a talented vocalist and violinist, we gradually got to play on stage."

They've now taken their energetic, eclectic sound to 17 countries all over the world.

"Our spirit is 'let’s party'," Inal continues. "We’re about sharing music with as many people as possible and mixing different styles of music. Algerian, north African is the basis of what do but then we mix it with reggae, salsa, jazz or rock."

"We do covers of well known Algerian songs, chaâbi classics like Ya Rayah by Dahmane El Harrachi, a song about immigration, but most of our songs are about love."

Their lead vocalist and gumbri player Abdelkader Tab also writes songs. One about his mother, a tribute to all mothers, gets a mighty enthusiastic welcome among the many Franco-Algerians in the audience.

The concert here at Studio de l'Ermitage is "between the two rounds" of the presidential election, a great chance to dance, cast your worries aside and escape divisive politics for a few hours.

"It’s a pleasure to listen again to these songs, sung by new artists who are trying to let’s say reinterpret the old heritage," says Ramouna from Algeria, now living in Paris.

"We are in need of such concert, because it’s our culture and we need to dance and forget about stress of life and politics."

"France is a mix of cultures," she continues. "African, European..  immigration is part of history and what I love in Paris, what I love in France, is this possibility to mix with people. Most of us cannot afford travelling but through these different opportunities to go to an African restaurant, to attend an Algerian concert, we are really lucky. And hopefully, we’re going to pray that it will continue."

While a few of Fanfarai's songs touch on Algeria's so called dark years in the 90s, their message is beyond politics. But they clearly champion cultural diversity.

"Just looking at the band, even without listening to the songs, you see we’re French and Algerian on stage, so the message is clear," says Inal.  "We’re a a social and racial mix. We work together, live together, it’s not about being on the right or left."

If far right nationalist Marine Le Pen were to become president it would undoubtedly impact the band, Inal continues.

"I think they’d privilege franco-French music, and as we mix north African music with other kinds, we’d be screwed," he laughs. "We’d have to go and play abroad. But there’d be no question of changing our music.. on the contrary!"

Fanfarai's latest album, Tani, is supported by RFI Talent. Their new album is due out later this year. Follow the band on Facebook

Paris-based jazz singer, percussionist and tap dancer Lucy Dixon talks to RFI about how her love of swing inspired her to reinterpret some of the great songs of 30s and 40s America on her latest album Lulu's Back in Town.

Paris-based jazz singer, percussionist and tap dancer Lucy Dixon talks to RFI about how her love of swing inspired her to reinterpret some of the great songs of 30s and 40s America on her latest album Lulu's Back in Town. 

 

 

Dixon has a background in musicals, was a member of the band Stomp for over a decade and even stepped out as a Bluebell girl at the Paris Lido for a while. But she's found her raison d'etre stepping back into the past, performing rhythmic jazz songs that make you want to dance. And that echo strongly with the present.  

Armed with a great voice, bags of style, and nimble footwork that allows her to contribute percussion to the set, she brings something beyond pure nostalgia to classics like Shall We Dance, Get Happy, After You've Gone and of course Fats Waller's Lulu's Back in Town. Her a capella interpretation of When I get low I get high should be savoured not just for the voice, but as a reminder that these seemingly upbeat songs are darker than they seem.

Dixon's on the road with a solid gypsy jazz trio: David Gastine (guitar), Vincent Simonelli (Guitar) and Sebastien Gastine (double bass).

Next shows in London at ZEDEL LIVE: 16 May, 28 June

Follow Lucy Dixon on facebook

Amazones d'Afrique is the first all-female supergroup of West Africa. Inspired by the formidable and mysterious warriors of Dahomey, some of the greatest West African singers and musicians have come together to fight against violence towards women. Their debut album Republique Amazone, promoted by the RFI Talent programme,  is a mighty tool in that fight.

Cuban singer, flautist and percussionist Yaite Ramos, aka La Dame Blanche (French for The White Lady), was born into an impressive musical cauldron; her father is trombonist Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos, artistic director of Buena Vista Social Club orchestra. But she's fast forging her own, unique path, with an explosive mix of hip hop, cumbia, dancehall and reggae, and bags of stage presence.

Australian singer-songwriter Nattali Rize is fast becoming one to watch on the competitive reggae scene. Following the release of her polished debut album Rebel Frequency, she talks to RFI about breaking into the male-dominated genre, and finding her tribe in Kingston, Jamaica.

South African male choir Phuphuma Love Minus are performing Imfihlakalo Yezulu in Paris. The troop celebrate a singing and dancing tradition known as Isicathamiya. Through its a cappella chant and slick choreography, the show takes us to the heart of Zulu culture in the early part of the 20th century when dispossessed migrant workers in the goldmines sought solace and dreams of a better life through song and dapper clothing.

New York based band Ajoyo (meaning celebration in Yoruba) blend African tradition, jazz and soul. On a bed of upbeat dance rhythms like Benskin and Bitsuki they tackle of some of today's big issues: social justice, love, but also islamophobia, misogyny and racism. RFI caught up with the band's founder, saxophonist Yacine Boularès, and vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles at a recent concert at the Sunside jazz club in Paris.

New York based band Ajoyo (meaning celebration in Yoruba) blend African tradition, jazz and soul. On a bed of upbeat dance rhythms like Benskin and Bitsuki they tackle of some of today's big issues: social justice, love, but also islamophobia, misogyny and racism. RFI caught up with the band's founder, saxophonist Yacine Boularès, and vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles at a recent concert at the Sunside jazz club in Paris.

After a year of hard work, 270 young musicians and choir singers are set to shine alongside Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra. Dianoura, a “tailor-made” mini-opera by Etienne Perruchon, uses an invented gibberish language called dogorien “so that the emotion is only in the music, not the words”. RFI reports from rehearsals ahead of the big day.