Festival Womad à Taormina (Sicile)

Publié le 25/06/2005

(traduit et adapté de l'Italien)

le Festival WOMAD de Peter Gabriel à Taormina : Van Der Graff Generator, Stewart Copeland, Al Di Meola et Andrea Parodi

de Paolo Ansali

Pour la huitième année consécutive le World Of Music, Arts & Dance (Womad), festival de musique du monde conçu par Peter Gabriel, se produit en Sicile dans le splendide cadre de Taormina.

Cet année pour la troisième fois, le Festival aura lieu à Taormina avec des concerts au Théatre Ancien du 14 au 16 Juillet.

A l'affiche le saxophiniste Maceo Parker, le chanteur Ougandais Geoffrey Oryema, le "puparo palermitano" Mimmo Cuticchio avec une production nouvelle sur Cervantes, avec le groupe Ut Alinéa gia' apprécié à Taormina.

Mais la vraie nouveauté sera "la Nuit de la Taranta", un évènement qui reunira Stewart Copeland, Vittorio Cosma, Raiz, Ninfa Giannuzzi, Enza Pagliata, Emanuele Licci, Ensemble Bash, Antonio Castrignano, Mauro Durante, Antonio Marra, Alexandro Monteduro, Silvio Cantoro, Marco de la Gatta, Roberto Bemma, Francesco Del Prete, Massimo Martellotta, Marco Bellotti, Giancarlo Parisi et tant d'autres dans un crescento de musique et de chants soignés et dirigés par Stewart Copeland, ex batteur de Police.

Nous aurons même droit à Al Di Meola, fasciné par les sonorités de la Sardaigne et la participation du projet "Armentos" dirigé par l'ex Tazenda Andrea Parodi. On assistera ensuite au retour sur scène de Van Der Graaf Generator et encore les siciliens Asteriskos et pour finir le sénégalais Youssou 'Ndour.

Le Womad en Sicile est réalisé avec le soutien de l'Assessorat Régional aux Biens Culturels, de la Fondation Taormina Art, de l'Entreprise de Séjour et de Tourisme de Taormina et de l'Assessorat Régional au Tourisme (pour plus d'information consulter le situé de taormina- Art).

"Drum-Believable" The Dhol Foundation

June 2005 will see the long awaited album by The Dhol Foundation titled 'Drum-believable' released. Founder, Johnny Kalsi has been playing the dhol for over 23 years and this album showcases his talent

[ClickPress, Fri Jun 24 2005]

June 13th 2005 sees The Dhol Foundation’s long waited new album titled ‘Drum – Believable’, released on their brand new label “TDF Records” with assistance from their publishers Real World Works Ltd.

This new collection of Dhol-tastic sounds brings together various writers such as Ustad Sultan Khan, Mairead Nesbitt, Mantu, Eric Jaeger and UK Bhangra artist Bee2, all hand picked by TDF founder himself, Johnny Kalsi.

The Dhol Foundation has spent the last three years touring and recording dozens of tunes around the globe from as far apart as Ireland to Toronto. After many requests by fans from all the world, thirteen tracks have been hand picked by Kalsi, with the sounds of not only the traditional Dhol played by members of the TDF, but also other world instruments such as the cello, harmonium, Spanish guitar, bongos, tabla and many more.

Drum-Believable explores the world of Punjabi beats, which not only means the sound of the Dhol but also a mixture of percussionists and vocalists such as Pandit Yash, Nadeem & Suhail Salamat and Sonya Pannesar. Tracks such as ‘Breathe’ feature a combination of the Dhol and Spanish guitar while world famous fiddler, Mairead Nesbitt and Irish flutist, Emer Mayock challenge the tabla and Dhol to a battle of Celtic rhythms against Asian beats in the tracks ‘After the Rain’ and ‘Simply H’.

Johnny Kalsi has been playing the dhol for over 23 years and has been a member of the group ‘Alaap’ plus had tracks of his featured on films such as Gangs of New York and The Hulk. In addition, he has toured with ADF, Fundamental, Natacha Atlas, Trans Global Underground and The Afro Celt Sound System.

World music supreme, Peter Gabriel, has called Kalsi the “Ambassador of Love” and has recorded with him in the past on several occasions, some of which have also featured the legendary late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

The Chameleon

Steve Hackett has gone from worldwide acclaim as guitarist for prog-rock pioneers Genesis to a superb solo career steeped in emotive rock, fiery blues and elegant classical music. His latest project is "Metamorpheus," featuring his nylon guitar work with the Underworld Orchestra. (Photo courtesy of Chipster PR)

...A young Hackett dumped his plans of being a renowned harmonica player when Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel answered his ad in the British publication Melody Maker. Hackett replaced founding member Anthony Phillips as guitarist in 1971 and helped lead the band from cult status to worldwide heroes over the course of four albums...

NiN: fangs out

CD Review
Jim Walker

Nine Inch Nails
With Teeth
Interscope

When I first listened to Nine Inch Nails’ new album, With Teeth, I thought about Peter Gabriel. He and Trent Reznor have a few things in common. Both are technically savvy musicians who’ve had a tendency to overproduce their work — a forgivable flaw that has, at times, undermined their edginess. Both are deep in the dark side of human nature. Sure, Gabriel’s work often feels cheerier on the surface (it’s not hard to feel cheerier than Reznor).

But, if you remember, “Digging in the Dirt” — from 1992’s Us — is one of the best songs ever made about sex and violence and human desperation. Another commonality between Reznor and Gabriel: both are brooding types who take a long time between records. Reznor had a five-year gap between his last two and Gabriel took 10 years between Us and 2002’s Up.

With Teeth starts with “All the Love in the World,” a song that sounds so much like Gabriel it’s eerie. Everything from Reznor’s fragile vocals to the electronic drums and fuzz bass to the piano evokes Gabriel.

Oddly enough, the first song on Up, “Darkness,” sounds like a Nine Inch Nails song — complete with screaming power cords and pounding drums. As Gabriel did with the underappreciated Up, Reznor has backed off on the layers of sound on the new album, giving it a raw power best found in another dark-but-danceable influence that, like Gabriel, made its name in the 1980s: Joy Division. The best examples on With Teeth include: “The Hand that Feeds,” “Only” and “Sunspots” — all great mixtures of power and pop.

Of course, Reznor isn’t going soft with this record. Just about every other tune rocks hard enough to make Marilyn Manson proud. But the wonderful way the album ends (with a raw, low-fi ditty reminiscent of Sparklehorse’s work), paired with its Gabriel-like start, shows that Reznor is moving toward a light that gives contrast to his darkness, a softness that makes his punches hurt even more.

June Moon Illusion

22-Jun-2005

If June's Full Moon is anything like last night's lunar glow, we should have a bright night about to bleed into the sun-drenched day here at Real World. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get Peter and a camera in the same place, but he has sent us a lunar offering.

NASA tells us that tonight, "the Man in the Moon is in his usual place. But something's wrong. This full moon is strangely inflated. It's huge! ...This week's full moon hangs lower in the sky than any full moon since June 1987, so the Moon Illusion is going to be extra strong." I'm personaly not suprised by this offical confirmation that there's a man in the moon, but see what you think for yourself and glance skyward this evening. Why not enhance the strange, inflated, huge, "moon illusion" with our sky related audio offering.

You can now download two versions of 'Sky Blue' from the Full Moon Club downloads page. Alongside the lovely Martyn Bennett remix of the track that eventually featured 'The Blind Boys of Alabama' and appeared on 'UP', we now have an early unreleased demo of 'Sky Blue' from the recording sessions for 'US' in the mid 1980s.

Download 'Sky Blue' from The Full Moon Club

More on Martyn Bennett

The 'Moon Illusion" at science.nasa.gov

Zucchero Teams with Sheryl Crow, Sting, Eric Clapton, Macy Gray, and more for July 12 CD Release

...
Sting invited Zucchero to a house party where the star-studded guest list included Peter Gabriel, Tom Hanks, and Dustin Hoffman. Upon meeting the vocalist, Hoffman, it is reported in the article, fell to his knees, commenced singing one of Zucchero’s songs in Italian, and finished by exclaiming, “Zucchero, you are God!” before confessing he owned all of his recordings!

Ignored by Live 8, African acts plan own U.K. show

Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:49 PM BST

By Lars Brandle & Nigel Williamson

LONDON (Billboard) - British artist Peter Gabriel and Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour are the driving forces behind a Live 8 spin-off concert focusing on African musicians, amid criticism that the main event ignores acts from the continent.

Under the banner Africa Calling, the concert will be held July 2 at the Eden Project in Cornwall, south west England, the same day as Bob Geldof's Live 8 shows, which will be held simultaneously in London, Philadelphia, Paris, Berlin and Rome.

Benin vocalist/songwriter Angelique Kidjo, Somali vocalist Maryam Mursal and Senegalese hip hop group Daara J are among the confirmed performers at Africa Calling. Other artists scheduled to appear include Mali legend Salif Keita, Thomas Mapfumo and Blacks Unlimited from Zimbabwe, Shikisha from South Africa and Tinariwen from Mali.

N'Dour will also perform after appearances earlier in the day at the Paris and London Live 8 concerts. Footage from Africa Calling will be shown as part of BBC TV's Live 8 broadcast but it is unclear how central to the coverage it will be.

Live 8 is intended to raise awareness of poverty in Africa ahead of the July 6-8 G8 summit of world leaders in Gleneagles, Scotland. Plans for an Australian concert link fell through last week. Until now, N'Dour was the only African artist scheduled to perform at Live 8, leading to criticism from the likes of Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn and British broadcaster Andy Kershaw.

Island Records founder Chris Blackwell was among the industry figures who highlighted the absence of African artists at the Live 8 shows.Africa Calling will aim to assuage any such concerns.

"We just felt that Eden could provide a moment where those values of neighborliness and community could be made real with an intimacy larger venues would find difficult to capture," comments Tim Smit, CEO of Eden Project.

Announcing the concert, Gabriel said, "I talked at some length with Bob (Geldof) about this. I understand his criteria of trying to keep the largest audience around the world switched on and looking at issues about Africa through the artists selling the most records.

"I would have done it a different way -- I think it's important to be seen to be allowing the voices of Africa to be heard directly," added Gabriel. "A lot of artists don't feel this is a perfect situation, but respect the aims and goals. It's a difficult enough job trying to do what they want to do."

Gabriel has championed African music through his Virgin-distributed Real World label and his world music festival WOMAD. Yet the addition of the Eden project concert has not stopped the criticism of the lack of African artists at the main concerts.

Andy Morgan, manager of Tinariwen, who will play at Africa Calling, said that the African event should not be a "marginalized sop" but had to be central to the television coverage on the day. "Bob Geldof is missing a diamond opportunity to show the world that Africa has more to offer than poverty, starvation, corruption, war and wildlife," says Morgan.

"The whole thing has been handled appallingly and shows a deep disregard and disrespect for African musicians," added Ian Ashbridge, MD of Wrasse Records which has supplied several of the African acts. "There's still time to resolve this in the way it should be resolved in that they could add more African artists to the main bill."

Reuters/Billboard

Kenyan musician Ayub Oganda Invited for London G8 Concert

Kenyan Musician Invited for London G8 Concert

The Nation (Nairobi)

June 20, 2005 Posted to the web June 20, 2005

Paul Redfern London

Kenyan musician Ayub Oganda is one of a dozen black African artistes invited to London for a music concert ahead of the summit of the world's eight most industrialised nations (G8) in Scotland next month.

After criticism that the main "Live 8" event featuring musicians such as Robbie Williams and Sir Elton John was overwhelmingly white and Western, the organisers appear to have organised another concert. Top billing at this event will go to Youssou N'Dour of Senegal, but also taking part are Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, Angelique Kidjo, Maryam Mursal and Salif Keita.

Given that the main event is aimed at raising awareness about problems facing Africans in the West, critics had said the main line-up was "hideously white", and blamed organiser Bob Geldof for his response that he would book only acts that would sell records.

The Africa Calling concert will take place at the Eden Project on July 2, former rock star Peter Gabriel said last week. But he acknowledged that critics had failed to get top African acts onto the London stage despite pressure.

"I do think it would be better to have a larger African presence in Hyde Park (the venue of the concert)," he said. "Bob (Geldof) made the point that in places like China, if there's an act that comes on TV that they don't know, whether from Africa or Germany, they switch it off. I don't think that's correct."

The Africa Calling concert will be held on the same day as the "Live 8" shows in London, Paris, Berlin and Rome, and the main aim will still be to raise awareness about world poverty. Tim Smit, the Eden Project chief executive, told the BBC that the aim of the Africa Calling event was to create "an authentic voice for Africa that was moving and personal."

He shrugged off suggestions that it was a token gesture, and his views were echoed by Kidjo. "This is an opportunity for the media to realise that when it comes to Africa, we need to be a part of it. You couldn't help us without us."

World cries in unison: "Free Aung San Suu Kyi NOW!"

Religious leaders, politicians, Nobel laureates and rockers joined the millions calling for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest and a restoration of democracy in Myanmar (Burma), as 'The Lady' turns 60 today.

The protests got underway in New Zealand, the first country to greet the dawn of Daw Suu Kyi's birthday, where thousands of locals joined the Burmese exiles demanding the military junta to grant their beloved leader the gift of freedom.

Twenty seven music stars including U2, R.E.M., Eric Clapton, Avril Lavigne, Peter Gabriel, Coldplay, and Pearl Jam have released "For the Lady," a brand-new double CD set dedicated to freeing the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

The album also features a song in Burmese written by a jailed student democracy activist, and all proceeds will go towards the United States Free Burma Campaign.

"We call on individuals, and governments, to support publicly Aung San Suu Kyi, on her birthday, June 19th," Archbishop Desmon Tutu, a hero of South Africa's struggle against apartheid, said. "I support activities that call for her immediate and unconditional release;
I applaud all human rights campaigners who are working on her behalf, and that of her
countrymen and women. As long as she remains under arrest, none of us is truly free."

"I send my best wishes to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for her 60th birthday, June 19." US President George W. Bush said. "Her strength, courage, and personal sacrifice in standing up for the oppressed people of Burma have inspired those who stand for freedom. Only a return to democracy and reintegration with the international community can bring the freedom and prosperity that the people of Burma deserve. The United States looks forward to the time when Burma is democratic and free."

The United States is one of the few western nations that has taken concrete steps to apply pressure on the tyrannical regime to restore democracy in the Southeast Asian nations.

India, China and most of Burma's Southeast Asian neighbors have accepted the military junta as the legitimate government.

"We need the world to stand tall for Aung San Suu Kyi on June 19th," a joint statement by Burmese rights campaigners in Asia, Europe and the US said. "Just as the world rallied to free Nelson Mandela, we must free Aung San Suu Kyi."

The activists also called on the United Nations Security Council to end its "deafening silence."

"While the Security Council dithers, Burmese people are dying," they said. "Kofi Annan should immediately call for Burma to be placed on the Security Council agenda."

Send your birthday wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi

Trois questions à Bob Geldof

LE MONDE 18.06.05 12h01

1. Le Live Aid de 1985, organisé pour venir en aide à l'Ethiopie, avait réuni les stars pop et rock de l'époque sans convier le moindre artiste africain, ce qui avait beaucoup choqué. Le Live 8 n'en a convié qu'un seul cette année, le chanteur sénégalais Youssou N'Dour.

Je corrige ce que vous venez de dire : à l'époque, un tout petit nombre de personnes s'étaient plaintes. Ensuite, nous venons d'ajouter un concert à Johannesburg avec des artistes sud-africains, comme les Mahotella Queens et Lucky Dube.

Le Live 8 n'est pas un événement culturel, c'est un événement politique. Il nous faut donc les artistes les plus connus pour réunir un maximum de gens et exercer une pression politique. Le critère, c'est la popularité et les ventes. Les spectateurs veulent voir ceux qui vendent des millions de disques dans leur pays. En France, c'est Pascal Obispo. Le groupe Snow Patrol ne jouera pas en France, où il est à peine connu, mais aux Etats-Unis, où il cartonne.

2. Les artistes qui participent à Live 8 ne vendent pas tous des disques par millions. Par ailleurs, la Cap-Verdienne Cesaria Evora est connue dans le monde entier et l'Ivoirien Alpha Blondy sur le continent africain.

La réalité est que les artistes africains vendent beaucoup moins de disques. En Afrique, les gamins n'écoutent pas Baaba Maal -chanteur sénégalais-, mais 50 Cent et Eminem -rappeurs américains-.

Vous avez une vision très romantique de l'Afrique. Y êtes-vous déjà allé ? Je n'ai pas envie, moi, d'entrer dans une logique politiquement correcte, en faisant attention à ce que tout le monde soit représenté, les femmes, les Africains, etc. Ce n'est pas le lieu pour la diversité culturelle.

J'aime les musiques du monde, mais mes goûts personnels ne comptent pas. Peter Gabriel s'occupe de l'aspect culturel avec son festival en Cornouailles, Damon Albarn -chanteur des groupes Blur et Gorillaz- aussi.

3. Vous avez demandé que des concerts soient organisés en Afrique. N'y a-t-il pas un problème de moyens ?

Non, au Kenya, en Ethiopie, la mobilisation pour ces concerts a déjà commencé. Ils ont de bons soundsystems et de grandes scènes là-bas.

Propos recueillis par Bruno Lesprit

Article paru dans l'édition du 19.06.05

Essaouira : Plus de 70 artistes internationaux invités

Publié par I. Fattah le Vendredi 17 juin à 09:20:06 GMT

Le Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du monde s’est imposé depuis ses débuts comme un laboratoire de fusion musicale, intégrant des courants d’expression et de créativité musicales, venus des quatre coins du monde.

Cette année, une programmation toujours plus riche et diversifiée fera la place à des artistes de renommée internationale aux styles éclectiques qui échappent bien souvent à toute classification.

Ainsi le Français Magic Malik, et sa flûte traversière magique, le percussionniste turco-arménien Arto Tunçboyaciyan, le guitariste français Louis Winsberg, le batteur autodidacte d’origine congolaise Roger Biwandu, le bassiste Étienne M’Bappé, et enfin l’as des tablas singapourien Nantha Kumar seront présents, en fusion avec les Gnaoua, tous avides de nouvelles expériences.

Huit groupes étrangers font également le déplacement, depuis l’Ile de La Réunion pour Danyel Waro, dont nous attendons tous les impressionnantes sonorités live de la culture maloya. Puis la diva malienne Naïny Diabaté et ses étonnants percussionnistes, le duo de choc sénégalo-suédois d’Ellika et Solo, le curieux et étonnant mélange berbéro-celtique de Thalweg, le jazz pluriel de Bozilo - nouveau projet de Karim Ziad, Julien Lourau et Boyan Z -, la douceur flamenca de Jaleo…

Ou encore l’expérience égyptienne de l’ingénieux Fathy Salama avec les Gnaoua Soudanais emmenés par le virtuose musicien soudanais du “rango”, Hassan Bargamoun. Le festival laissera le mot de la fin à la star sénégalaise Youssou N’Dour et son orchestre, le Super Étoile de Dakar, pour une fête 100% africaine et un finish attendu avec impatience par de nombreux fans.

Concerts scène Moulay El Hassan : à partir de 17h30 (sauf jeudi 23/06 : concert d’ouverture à 18h30)Concerts scène Bab Marrakech : à partir de 18hConcerts acoustiques : Chez Kébir et Dar Souiri, les 23, 24 et 25/06 à partir de minuit

Live 8 Africa competition begins

Tickets for the Live 8 Africa Calling concert at the Eden Project have become available via a competition running online, by SMS and by post.

Entrants must answer the question "Where is the Eden Project?", choosing from Cornwall, London or Gleneagles. The competition is open to all UK and Channel Island residents aged 16 and over. It closes at midnight on 24 June. The concert, featuring a variety of African performers, will be held on 2 July, the same day as the Live 8 shows. The line-up of Live 8 Africa Calling was announced amid criticism that the Live 8 concerts, which aim to highlight world poverty, featured too few black artists.

It will be hosted by Peter Gabriel and headlined by Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour. Other African musicians taking part include Angelique Kidjo, Maryam Mursal, Salif Keita and Thomas Mapfumo.

Entries

Those wanting tickets can text their answer, A for Cornwall, B for London or C for Gleneagles, to 83008 at a cost of £1.50 plus the charge of the text. Entries can also be lodged online at www.live8.edenbookings.com or by sending a postcard to the Eden Project.

When the concert line-up was announced, Peter Gabriel said it would give African artists the chance to be heard. Kidjo said it showed that African input was needed as part of the programme of gigs around the world. "We need to be a part of it. You couldn't help us without us," she said.

BBC Radio 3 will broadcast from the concert as part of the Live 8 coverage. Live 8 shows have been scheduled in cities including London, Paris, Rome, Philadelphia, Tokyo and Johannesburg. They are timed to take place days before the G8 summit of world leaders at Gleneagles, Scotland.

A nice gift to boot for Father's Day

In celebration of Father's Day (yes, it's this weekend, people), Rhino is reminding people that the video for Peter Gabriel's "Father & Son" is featured as part of the Peter Gabriel: Play (Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP) video collection.

A pretty spiffy disc, that is, and a nice gift to boot.

concerts contre la pauvreté à quelques jours du G8

Live 8: 8 concerts contre la pauvreté à quelques jours du G8

...

Petit accroc dans cette unanimité apparente autour de Live 8, le chanteur sénégalais Youssou N'Dour s'est dit »choqué» d'être le seul artiste africain à se produire sur scène à cette occasion.

»Je suis choqué par la décision de ne pas programmer d'autre artiste africain que moi à l'occasion du Live 8», estime Youssou N'Dour dans un communiqué transmis vendredi à l'AFP par la maison de disques Warner Music.

»Je jouerai à Londres et à Paris le même jour et j'invite (la chanteuse malienne) Rokia Traore à me rejoindre sur scène à Paris», indique en outre le Sénégalais.

»Peter Gabriel est en train d'organiser un concert en parallèle avec de nombreux artistes africains le 2 juillet dans les Cornouailles, je ferai le maximum pour m'y rendre également», conclut le communiqué de Youssou N'Dour.

Interrogé à ce sujet lors de sa conférence de presse à Paris,Geldof a répondu: »Cette manifestation est un événement politique. Nous avons donc besoin de gros artistes, qui réalisent de grosses ventes» pour attirer l'attention de l'opinion.

Lors du Live Aid il y a 20 ans, certains avaient déjà déploré l'absence d'artistes de pays du Sud au profit de grandes stars de pays développés.

Deviendrez-vous un assistant officiel du Mondial 2006 ?

L'artiste André Heller cherchez 8500 Berlinois pour son Gala "Fifa 2006"

Oliver Ohmann, Berlin, Vendredi, 17 juin. 2005 18:51 heures

Rêvez vous d'apparaître en direct devant 2 milliards de spectateurs ? Pas de problème. Nous vous expliquons comme ça marche car Berlin cherche 8500 Superstars !Le 8 juin 2006 le monde regardera vers Berlin et le monde doit être enchanté.André Heller, 58ans, produira dans le stade olympique le grand Gala d'ouverture du Mondial 2006.

Déjà en 1984 des millions de Berlinois ont été séduit par l'artiste viennois avec les "théâtres de feu" devant le Reichstag.

Il nous dit : "cette fois-ci, je prevois un feu d'artifice des sens. Une revue poetique qui montre le Berlin ouvert sur le monde. Son histoire, ses hommes et leurs rêves. Les Berlinois doivent être eux-mêmes le point central du show de 90 minutes."

A partir du 1er juillet, Heller va chercher 8500 acteurs et assistants pour le Gala.

Qui peut participer ?

Tous les Berlinois et Brandebourgeois à partir de14 ans, s'ils sont peu sportifs.

Heller : "La passion est la plus importante. Nous repeterons souvent la nuit jusqu'à 3 heures, avec le vent et les intempeteries et nous n'en donnerons pas d'argent , seulement une médaille d'honneur. Pour tout cela vous pourrez collaborer avec l'un des meilleurs artistes du monde, le directeur musical qui est mon ami : Peter Gabriel"

À partir du 1er juillet, vous pouvez remplir le formulaire de candidature en ligne sur : www.FIFAworldcup.com/gala.

Vous devrez prouver que vous aurait le temps pour effectuer jusqu'à 20 dates de repetition.

Le premier casting commence en septembre, les repetitions en mars 2006 .

Papa Wemba :Le virage décisif à 56 ans

17/06/05

Papa Wemba a fêté ses 56 ans le 14 juin.

Et sa voix (haut perchée) n’a pas pris une seule ride. Même si en 2004, le rossignol du Kassaï a frôlé le pire de très près. Wemba a eu officiellement 56 ans, le mardi 14 juin dernier.

Cette date anniversaire n’est peut-être pas exacte puisqu’en 1949 (année de naissance de Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, l’état civil, dans la colonie belge du Congo, n’était qu’embryonnaire.

Ce qui est par contre une certitude, c’est qu’à 56 ans, l’artiste tente de ramener sa carrière musicale dans des eaux plus calmes après de très fortes turbulences dues à ses problèmes avec la justice.17 février 2003, la légende vivante de la rumba congolaise est interpellée par la police française, à son domicile, dans la banlieue parisienne.

Wemba est accusé d’avoir organisé, sous le couvert de ses activités musicales, un trafic d’immigrants clandestins. Très rapidement, il est mis en examen et incarcéré à la prison de Fleury Mérogis.En juin 2003, il est libéré non sans avoir payé une caution de 20 millions de F CFA. Mais l’engrenage judiciaire ne s’arrête pas pour autant. Le 25 octobre 2004, Wemba comparait au tribunal de Bobigny, dans la banlieue parisienne.

Lorsque le procureur requiert 10 ans de prison et environ 500 millions de F CFA d’amende contre l’idole congolaise, c’est de nouveau le grand émoi chez ses fans. L’énoncé du verdict en novembre 2004 est pour Wemba un énorme soulagement. Malgré sa condamnation à trente mois de prison, dont quatre fermes, et 6,5 millions de F CFA d’amende, il jubile et repart libre chez lui (il avait déjà purgé sa peine en détention préventive).

«Cette décision est un grand soulagement car enfin la justice a tranché et surtout je ne retourne pas en prison. Mon art va reprendre le dessus», se réjouissait-il. Mais pour Wemba les choses ne seront plus jamais pareilles. Au niveau de sa foi et de son métier, en tout cas.

L’artiste aborde un nouveau tournant de sa carrière, un tournant très spirituel. 35 ans après avoir participé à la naissance de Zaïko Langa Langa, l’un des principaux groupes zaïrois des années 1970, 27 ans après avoir créé Viva la musica, son orchestre et 11 ans après sa rencontre et sa collaboration avec le musicien anglais Peter Gabriel.

Une collaboration qui a vu naître trois albums dont l’inoubliable Emotion. Un disque qui lui a valu notamment un disque d’or au Etats-Unis. Il sort sous peu un coffret CD/ VCD intitulé Ba zonkion. Wemba a été sollicité par Singuila pour intervenir sur son prochain album…

Usher A.

African artists finally get chance to grace Live 8 stage

"Why are we having this controversy. If there were not big stars there would not be the attention of the media. What is important is that we all work together against poverty" Angelique Kidgo

17/06/2005

Benin singer
Angelique Kidgo

The Eden Project in Cornwall has been confirmed as the venue for the African- Calling concert highlighting the Live 8 campaign for essential Aid and trade in Africa.

The Eden Project in Cornwall has been confirmed as the venue for the African- Calling concert highlighting the Live 8 campaign for essential Aid and trade in Africa.

The upcoming concert devised by former Genesis star, Peter Gabriel, hopes to challenge criticism over the under-representation of black artists at next month’s Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, which set up by 1984’s Live Aid organisers Bob Geldof and former Ultrabox singer, Midge Ure.

The global event will showcase performances from artists, such as Senegal’s Youssou N’ dour, Thomas Mapfumo and the Black United from Zimbabwe and Mali singer, Salif Keita.

Peter Gabriel who strongly advocates world music said he always wanted to see more African artists in other Live 8 promotions, especially as they would be the most relevant performers to relate the African musical spirit to world-wide audiences.

According to the Guardian, the Womad co-founder is very enthusiastic about the concert and sees it as the right attribute in fighting Africa’s desperate needs, rather than calculating record sales.
...

Solid State Logic purchased by Peter Gabriel and David Engelke

Industry visionaries acquire the world’s leading console company

Oxford, England 16 June 2005

Solid State Logic is pleased to announce that the company’s assets have been acquired by a joint venture established by musician and technologist, Peter Gabriel, and broadcast industry entrepreneur, David Engelke. The company, which will trade as Solid State Logic, will continue to design and manufacture mixing consoles and related audio technology at its Begbroke, Oxford headquarters.

The principal investors bring considerable experience of both the company’s main markets: music recording and broadcast.

Peter Gabriel’s background as an artist is well known, but he has had a long involvement with technology. Syco Systems, which he co-founded, developed the ‘Tablet’, one of the world’s first purpose-built digital audio workstations. Real World Multi Media, part of Peter’s Real World Group, won awards for both technological and creative innovation. More recently, he has had success with OD2 (On Demand Distribution), now the leading European platform provider for the distribution of on-line music. At the same time his many years as artist and studio owner at Real World in Wiltshire have given him a passion for the possibilities of technology, and how it can serve and transform the process of music making and post production.

American David Engelke, formerly also an SSL console owner, has been involved with production and broadcast companies including Pinnacle Systems, Montage Group, and Digital Editing Services and invented several widely adopted technologies in the broadcast industry. Technologies developed by him and his engineering teams have earned them three EMMY Awards from the US National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and an OSCAR from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

David Engelke, who currently heads up Broadcast Devices LLC, spoke about his enthusiasm for the company, “The Solid State Logic brand stands for excellence like no other pro audio company in the world. We are investing to strengthen the company and bring these brand values to a broader market through continued innovative product development.”

Peter Gabriel added: “I have been a long time fan of SSL. We’re very excited about the opportunity of working with the company and to have a chance to participate in its future and its product development. Real World has enjoyed a close relationship with the company for many years.”

Peter Gabriel and David Engelke have recruited an experienced management team for their joint venture. Antony David, SSL’s Sales Director in the 80’s and early 90’s, then head of Pro Audio at Sony Broadcast & Professional Europe, is Managing Director; Piers Plaskitt, previously President of SSL Inc and President Sales & Marketing at Euphonix, is Group Commercial Director; and Chris Smith is Group Finance Director.

For further information visit http://www.solid-state-logic.com/

Gabriel Defends Geldof's White' Live8 gigs

16/06/2005 17:52

British rocker Peter Gabriel has leaped to Sir Bob Geldof's defence for supposedly ignoring black acts in his Live 8 line-ups.

The Sledgehammer star, who is curating Live 8's offshoot show Africa Calling at the Eden Project in south-west England, insists he can understand Geldof's choice of artists, which includes globally celebrated stars such as Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, U2 and Stewie Wonder.

Last week (ends10Jun05), Blur frontman Damon Albarn attacked the Live 8 gigs for failing to include African artists among the performers, especially as the concert aims to raise awareness of poverty on the developing continent.

He says, "Bob's sole criteria is that he has to keep millions of eyes around the world glued to the television and he felt if it was some remote part of China or Latin America, if it was an unknown artist ... people might switch off.

"So if they didn't sell 10 million records they weren't going to be invited. I don't agree that's the right thing to do, but I fully understand."

Live 8 et Africa Calling cohabitent le 2 juillet

Salif Keita, left, embraces Youssou N'Dour during a concert in Dakar, Senegal in this March 12, 2005 file photo. (AP/Cassandra Vinograd)

Paris le 16/06/2005

Le 2 juillet, MTV diffuse les interviews et des documents exclusifs liées au Live8, cette vaste rencontre musicale organisée par Bob Geldof. L'ancien frontman des Boomtown Rats, fut déjà à l'initiative du Live Aid de 1985, visant à aider la population éthiopienne, en proie à la famine.

Vingt ans ont passé et Geldof remet ça, le 2 juillet prochain, à l'occasion du Live8, une série de cinq concerts monumentaux, ayant lieu en Europe (London, Berlin, Paris et Rome) et à Philadelphie. Ils visent à éveiller la conscience des 8 grandes puissances économiques mondiales, sur la nécessité de faire sortir l'Afrique de la pauvreté endémique, dans laquelle elle s'enfonce inéxorablement.

C'est ainsi que cet événement musical majeur, a lieu quelques jours avant la rencontre du G8 en Ecosse du 6 au 8 juillet. Le G8 étant ce groupe de superpuissances, dont la rencontre se fait une fois par an, ce qui attise la colère des anti et alter-mondialistes de tous bords, qui ne voient ici, qu'un club fermé de gens très riches, discutant de leurs intérêts seuls.

Geldof toujours alerté par la misère du tiers monde, invite le 2 juillet, les plus grosses stars de la musique internationale, dont Madonna, Paul McCartney, U2 ou Stevie Wonder. Petit bémol de taille, soulevé par Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), concernant l'absence remarquée d'artistes africains, directement concernés par le Live8.

C'est ainsi que Peter Gabriel organise en parallèle au Live8, l'Africa Calling, un concert devant accueillir entre 5 et 10.000 spectateurs dans le sud de l'Angleterre, avec Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Maryam Mursal ou Salif Keita en têtes d'affiche.

Il faut ajouter un 7è concert Live8, devant avoir lieu le 6 juillet à Edimbourg, en Ecosse, au même moment que la rencontre économique du G8.