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MUSIC : Renzo Djordan - Aleke
Music inspired exclusively by African Musicians, as part of the 8th electronic album named " ODYSSEY pt II " with ethno and worldmusic influences, as musical travel diary from the 4 corners of the globe with a cultural approach.
Music inspired by " Keep your head down " music film, 1984 french film commercially successful (+6M entries), many French César award nominations, directed by Michel Blanc filmmaker. A working class story from Paris to New-York. A film accompagnied by music of Xalam, an african music band from Dakar Senegal which combines traditional instruments with modern jazz & funk sounds as saxophone. Some members of this musical band collaborated with Youssou N'Dour and also invited to play percussions on Rolling Stones' 1983 album named Undercover :
Another musical inspiration is the famous cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango and his banger " Soul Makossa ". He spent part of his career in Parisian jazz clubs and collaborated with artists like Miles Davis, Sting, John Lee and Hugh Masekela. Influenced by James brown and Fela Kuti, he produced brilliant style mixing jazz funk which led to it being covered by king of pop Mickeal Jackson in Thriller Album produced by Quincy Jones :
To sum up, track ALEKE is created from different musical elements called African Fusion :
- Electronic Drums and djembe loop. End of the track, Dumbolo drum style - Congo
- Saxophone by Kesja Bijok, female saxophonist from Krakow - Poland
- Guitare Sebene style from Congolese Music - Rumba music genre.
- Vocalist of the track is a Nigerian Afrofunk singer in New-York based. He has many songs released in independent production as spiritual african jazz song " SWEET MOTHER " :
ALEKE
SAXOPHONE & AFROFUNK
To conclude this review, it will not forget to mention Angelique Kidjo, a Beninese singer, songwriter, actress, 5 Grammy awards winner. She is now considered one of the greatest contemporary African artists, often referred to as the "Queen of Afrobeat", an icon of world music. Angélique Kidjo's music has been used extensively in the film world, ranging from popular Hollywood films to an independent Italian film of Nanni Moretti awarded by 1994 Cannes film festival. An italian Filmmaker Golden Palm winner in 2001 :
GYPSY
ELECTRO BALKANIAN RHAPSODY
MUSIC : Renzo Djordan - Electro Gatlif
Inspired by the musical world of Tony Gatlif's films, particularly by the unique Gypsy energy of East Europe that permeates his soundtracks : Latcho Drom and Gadjo Dilo fillms guided creative process to obtain this electronic Balkan music genre, especially from Romania.
Tony Gatlif filmmaker has been recognized at the Cannes Film Festival, notably with the Best Director Award for Exils in 2004, illustrating the influence in the international film landscape : a musical road movie throught Parisian suburb, Spain and Algeria.
Another inspiration is TIME OF THE GYPSIES (Dom za vešanje), directed by Emir Kusturica in 1988, a film that blends realism and fantasy while following the life of a young Romani boy, Perhan.
The story takes place mainly in Ex-Yugoslavi ( East EU ), in the outskirts of Skopje, and later in the Romani districts of Milan Italy, giving the film an atmosphere that is both authentic and chaotic.
The music, composed by Goran Bregović, plays a central role : a mix of Balkan brass bands, Romani singing, and melancholic tones. A film awarded by 1989 Cannes film festival :
It will not forget to mention the Balkanian brass band from North EU Romania created in 90s, FANFARE CIOCARLIA, composed of Gypsy musicians. They perpetuate a very old Roma musical tradition, passed down from generation to generation, especially centered around brass instruments and very fast rhythms that have earned them international renown, invited in famous NPR Music Show and music used in hollywoodian music film :
Gypsy music was significantly marked by DJANGO REINHARDT, a world-renowned guitarist. Balkan music, driven by trumpet and saxophone brass bands, belongs to a popular and festive tradition, while Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy music is intimately linked to 30/40s Jazz. His music has inspired many films and musical reinterpretations, from american filmmaker Woody Allen to Italo-French José Giovanni's film named THE GYPSY :
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