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| Electric Kulintang (Phillipines/Cuba/USA) |
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| 3canal (Trinidad & Tobago) |
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| Sväng , prove that there's no limit to what you can do with an harmonica |
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| Siba e a Fuloresta, the drums'n'horns from the rural areas of Brazil's Pernambuco region |
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| Siba e a Fuloresta, a Zona da Mata-style street party |
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October 27, 2007
Womex 2007 Day 3
And so the last day in this mammoth 13th edition of the Womex had come, and despite tired legs and sleepy eyes, the delegates took their courage in both hands and headed back to the trade fair to give out the last of their business cards, make sure they hadn’t missed anything important and clinch some final deals.
But enough has been said about the trade fair, its size, conferences and film market.
Back to the music, and the day’s showcases were launched with panache by the highly original Majorstuen violin group from Norway. Five young and gifted masters of the fiddle, they revisit their country’s folk tradition with imagination, creating a profoundly modern sound that is well-rooted in their respect for their musical heritage.
In a completely different vibe, the project by Susie Ibarra, percussionist/composer from the Philippines and Cuban master of rhythms Roberto Rodriguez, Electric Kulitang, invited the audience into a dreamlike, hypnotic universe full of rich colours, sounds and images. An enchanting sonic voyage, a treat for those present.
The evening’s concerts began in style with Cape Verde’s latest talent, Mayra Andrade. A picture to behold, her captivating performance of her melodic and rhythmic compositions sung in Cape Verdean creole left everyone with a warm feeling inside.
Just what was needed to get the audience ready for what was to come in the Plaza de España’s other Pavilion. From Trinidad & Tobago, 3Canal took over the stage with their high-conscious Rapso, the “power of the word in rhythm”. For forty-five minutes, the Womex was transported to the streets of the Caribbean island, heaving with the sounds of Carnival. An impressive show by these undisputed stars of the genre.
Back in the more down-tempo Teatro Lope de Vega, Finnish harmonica quartet Sväng delivered an eclectic repertoire ranging from Swedish hambo to Balkan dances and a Russian waltz with dexterity and wit.
They were followed by Siba e a Fuloresta, a percussion and brass band from rural Pernambuco and the latest project by Siba, founder of the belated Mestre Ambrosio. With less of the extravagance and attitude of the aforementioned, this time Siba is notably accompanied by Mané Roque, the seventy-three year-old percussionist and singer. An invitation to dance the night away in a Zona da Mata-style street party.
Next in line, Caravan Palace from France. New-style hot jazz, inspired by the swing of ‘jazz manouche à la Django Reinhardt’ with an electro coating just right for the cutting-edge clubs of Paris.
Dengue Fever is an improbable group from the States and Cambodia that were up next on the stage in the Plaza de España. ZZ Top look-alikes and beatniks backed Cambodian pop star Chhom Nimol singing in Khmer in a unique blend of American and international styles, evoking 60s surf, Bollywood soundtracks, Spaghetti Westerns and American R&B to name but a few of the ingredients in this contagiously riotous concoction.
Cuban poetess and rapper Telmary followed with her band. With a smooth flow and an ability to marry the spoken word with instrumental and vocal elements from Cuba’s rich musical heritage, this was an interesting discovery from the island’s urban music scene.
This year’s showcases ended in great style with Occitan group Lo Cor de la Plana. Percussion and vocals are the key players in this invigorating group that skilfully reinvent their Mediterranean culture, bringing an age-old tradition slap-bang into the modern day with their politically and socially aware lyrics and thirst for new sounds and fusions.
As the delegates filed out of the theatre’s interior, the terrace and garden began to throb to the beats by German DJs Daladala Soundz. A worthy end to three exceptionally full days.
Good night. Hasta mañana, for the end ceremony and Womex Award…
Marushka
HAVE YOUR SAY
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videos are in Flash 8 format
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The Mondomix team in Sevilla (Spain) :
Journalists Benjamin MiNiMuM, Marushka Vidovic
Video Nicolas Sardjveladzé, Margot Vincent
Web Elise Kamm
Production Marc Benaïche, Laurent Benhamou, Laurence Gilles, Christophe Lebreton, Catherine Zbinden
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The Womex Webcast is produced by MONDOMIX in association with WOMEX
© 2007 - All rights reserved l Designed by Le Studio Mondomix |
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