Gangbé Brass Band

The French band Lo'Jo was founded in 1982 by Denis Péan and Richard Bourreau. Their unique blend of gipsy, North African and French folk elements soon won them legions of fans. Now, with over fifteen albums under their belt, and collaborations with a wide range of prestigious artists (Robert Plant, Tinariwen, Archie Shepp), on [Fonetiq Flowers], they chart new waters. Although Péan's distinctive arrangements can still be heard, it may be their least ''multicultural'' album. It is also undoubtedly the most pop oriented, thanks to the presence of keyboardist Albin de La Simone and the rapper from Swiss band Puts Marie. [Fonetiq Flowers] is like a new start, with the all endless possibilities that affords.

To most people who have, at some time or other in their lives, been students of geography Africa is a continent; a rather large one, no doubt, but also unfortunately still viewed through white colonial eyes and so a “dark continent”. But to the African she is not only an animate being, but Mother Africa. Many European and American musicians, despite having been suckled by her don’t always see her as the source of everything living and therefore the music they play.