3 French produced bands featured in The New York Times

3 French produced Bands were the highlight of globalFEST this year: Jupiter & Okwess, Delgres and La Dame Blanche.

Over the last decade, globalFEST has become one of the most dynamic global music platforms in North America, growing from an acclaimed festival/showcase into a catalytic non-profit service organization for curators, artists, and the performing arts field. globalFEST 2018 took take place on January 14, 2018 in the crossroads of the world, Times Square!

Below, the extracts from the New York Times article regarding globalFEST and the 3 French produced bands.

JUPITER & OKWESS

“But the night’s fiercest, most diverse grooves belonged to Jupiter & Okwess: the singer, songwriter and bandleader Jupiter Bokondji and his band, from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with songs that joyfully carried conscientious messages like “Protect women.” The briskly upbeat rhythm of Congolese soukous, well known worldwide, was only part of the set. Mr. Bokondji traveled extensively in Congo and learned many local, lesser-known styles that infuse his songs, giving them variety and bite. He’s also clearly fond of what a wah-wah pedal can do.”

DELGRES

“Delgres, a trio based in Paris that’s led by its Gaudeloupean guitarist and singer, Pascal Danae, bases its music on a historical moment: 1802, when Napoleon reimposed slavery in Guadeloupe and some islanders escaped to New Orleans. It’s reason enough to back up Mr. Danae’s slide guitar with drums and a quintessential New Orleans instrument, sousaphone, in songs that envision a Guadeloupean blues with rawboned guitar riffs that could suddenly reveal the staccato intricacies of African and Afro-Caribbean guitar styles.”

LA DAME BLANCHE

“La Dame Blanche, a singer, songwriter and flutist born in Cuba and based in Paris, vigorously drew on whatever she pleased, including quasi-classical flute melodies, dancehall, “Ave Maria,” cumbia, trap-tinged R&B and plenty of hip-hop. She made them cohere by her fluency and force of will.”

Read the full article here