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MUSIC : Renzo Djordan & Kesja Bijok - Aleke
Music inspired 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 Marseille 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 ALEKE music track construction, its created from different musical elements called African Fusion :
- Drums and djembe loop. End of the track, Ndombolo drum style - Congo
- Saxophone by Kesja Bijok, female saxophonist from Krakow - Poland
- Guitare Sebene style from Congolese Music - Rumba music genre.
- Vocalist is a Nigerian Afrofunk singer in New-York based. He has songs released in independent production as african jazz song "Sweet Mother " :
ALEKE
SAXOPHONE & AFROFUNK
FELA KUTI was a Nigerian musician and composer, recognized as the father of Afrobeat. A saxophonist who fused jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms, creating a unique sound that captivated the world and has influenced current artists like Burna Boy, 2021 Grammy award winner. With TONY ALLEN, considered one of the greatest drummers of the 20th century, Fela's long and electrifying stage performances placed the saxophone at the heart of the band's energy, making him an iconic figure in African music :
Concerning guitare style, its inspired by Pamelo Mounk’a and FRANCO LUAMBO Makiadi, considered father of the 1960s sèbène guitar and masters of Congolese rumba : melodic and hypnotic guitare riff that make people dance during international tours and have influenced generations of African musicians : sebene rumba has evolved with faster rythms named Soukous.
Concernin Music film, malian albino singer and songwriter SALIF KEITA, nicknamed "The Golden Voice of Africa", worked on different soundtracks as on YEELEN malian film : Jury Prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, Salif Keïta has collaborated with major international artists, including Carlos Santana, Cesária Évora, and Peter Gabriel. He blends his voice with diverse styles while promoting musical heritage of Mali on international stage :
To conclude this review, remind us 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. Italian Filmmaker Golden Palm winner in 2001 :
GYPSY
BALKAN EAST EU & WOODWIND BRASS
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 : acappella part of the track comes from a live recording during a Gypsy wedding ceremony in Romania.
Tony Gatlif filmmaker has been recognized at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival chaired by Quentin Tarantino, notably with the Best Director Award for EXILS, illustrating the influence in the international film landscape : a musical road movie throught Parisian suburb, Spain and Algeria :
The most emblematic Balkan song of the Gypsy Roma people was used in a 1997 Tony Gatlif's film, as well as in a 1967 Oscar-nominee Balkan film, which also won the Grand Prix at 1967 Cannes Film Festival : GELEM GELEM song. It was officially adopted as anthem song in 1971 at the first World Gypsy Roma Congress in London and it has since been sung at cultural gatherings and commemorations around the world : Gypsy Roma based in Balkans originally came from India, and their language is closely related to Hindi and Punjabi :
A musical inspiration is TIME OF THE GYPSIES, directed by Emir Kusturica, nicknamed " the Fellini of the Balkans " : a film that blends realism and fantasy while following the life of a young Gypsy Romani boy in Macedonia ( Balkan / East EU ) and later in the Gypsy districts of Milan Italy. The music, composed by GORAN BREGOVIC, plays a central role : a mix of Balkan brass bands and Romani singing. A film awarded by 1989 Cannes film festival :
Nicknamed " The king of the Balkan saxophone ", FERUS MUSTAFOV has made his mark on the international scene thanks to intense, danceable music deeply rooted in the Gypsy Roma traditions of North Macedonia ( Balkan / East EU ). Throughout his life, he remained rooted in popular music events (weddings, celebrations), far from commercial circuits :
It will not forget to mention the Balkan 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 hollywood music film :
MYSTERY OF THE BULGARIAN VOICES is an internationaly know musical project centered on the Romani female voices of the Balkans, highlighting the raw power, emotion, and spirituality of traditional Eastern European song. At the crossroads of Gypsy music, Balkan traditions, and the Romanian heritage, the project celebrates deeply expressive voices. The album " The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Volume 2 " won 1990 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Recording and used in hollywood music film :
From a southern Balkans perspective, particularly Greece with oriental influences, is the origin of a traditional greek melody used in Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction opening music theme : MISIRLOU is a song often played with instruments and in a style similar to rembetiko (violin, bouzouki, oud). The world-famous music version used in the film, an instrumental cover, comes from american surf rock guitarist Dick Dale, and is very different from its original Greek context :
To conclude review with music film from South Balkan, remind us music film of Zorba The Greek, greek-american coproduction film with actor Anthony Quinn selected in 1964 Cannes film festival and three 1965 Oscar winners. A Sirtaki music with bouzouki guitare composed by greek musician MIKIS THEODORAKIS, also very famous for his musical collaboration with american filmmaker Sydney Lamet on 1973 film Serpico with italo-american actor Al Pacino. Moreover with director COSTA GAVRAS on the 1969 Oscar-winning film Z. Greek Filmmaker 1982 Golden Palm winner :
TRIBUTE TO ITALIAN DIASPORA
CINEMATOGRAPHY & MUSIC
Let's introduce review with French stop-motion animation documentary NO DOGS OR ITALIANS ALLOWED, best animation film awarded at prestigious 2022 European Film Awards. The film tells the story of Italian immigration to France at beginning of 20th century. More broadly, it is estimated that between 26 and 30 million Italians emigrated between the end of 19th century and the 1970s. This is one of the largest diasporas in modern history :
Another cultural reference is CIAO ITALIA, major French exhibition that traces the history of Italian immigration to France between 1860 and 1960, a period during which Italians were the most numerous foreign migrants in France. The exhibition blends archival documents, works of art, cultural artifacts, and personal accounts, offering a historical, social, and human perspective on a century of migration :
BREAD & CHOCOLATE, Italian film directed by Francesco Rosi in 1974. It tells the story of NINO, a Sicilian immigrant in Europe, who works hard in low-skilled jobs. The film blends humor and drama to depict the hardships of daily life for Italian migrants, while exploring themes of identity and exile. Film with actor NINO MANFREDI Silver Bear awarded at Berlinale and French César award nomined :
Italo-french Philippe Fragione notably used this musical theme by interpolating the italian cult Neapolitan song TU VUO FA l'AMERICANO. He took part in the creation of the soundtrack for one of the biggest French blockbusters of the 1990s (7M entrees). Of Italian origin, he specifies that Neapolitan culture is imbued with nostalgia, a mixture of joy and sadness. Invited to the 2008 Cannes Film Festival he emphasized during official interview the very large disparity between southern and northern Italy, unknown to most french people : " a point found in certain films by Ettore Scola "
Regarding his workingclass and Italian roots (the province of Frosinone, Lazio region), MICHEL COLUCCI is a major artist who has left his mark on French cinema and influenced French humor and society in 80s. He starred in several cult films, the most famous of which was Tchao Pantin (Neo noir genre), for which he received the French César Award for Best Actor. This dramatic role, a gas station attendant in a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of North Paris, surprised audiences and showcased another facet of his talent :
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