In Lingala, the language of the Congo, the term Lobi
means both 'yesterday' and 'tomorrow'. It is in this concept that one
must seek the deep roots of this project, which is unique in several
respects: unique in its way of tackling a multifaceted repertoire, made
up of original compositions and 'traditional' pieces rearranged; unique
in its way of musically linking the past, present and future; unique by
the meeting of musicians coming from very different universes and
countries who, each in his own way, brings his tradition whilst learning
from and exchanging with the singularities of the others; and unique,
too, by the style that results from the combination of all these
factors, not comparable to other existing groups.
For this adventure, Stéphane Galland,
unconventional Belgian drummer and, for the past twenty years, a member
of the Aka Moon trio, has surrounded himself with all the musicians with
whom he has always wanted to share the stage and recording studio: his
Dream Team, as it were. It was his meeting the young Armenian genius of
the piano, Tigran Hamasyan, that constituted the starting point. Then,
the pieces of the puzzle gradually fell into place, eventually arriving
at the current configuration, which includes the magician of the flute
Magic Malik; the king of the Bulgarian accordion, Petar Ralchev; the
most gifted of flamenco bass players, Carles Benavent; and the
uncontested master of Turkish percussion, M?s?rl? Ahmet.
At the finish, here is a project as
eclectic as it is coherent, destined to exist equally well on stage as
on disc (or, should we say, in the form of recorded music?). If you like
to be surprised, fascinated (as much by the extraordinary virtuosity of
the protagonists as by their lyricism), moved (listen to their
interpretation of 'Lamma Bada Yatathanna'...), and if a rich,
stimulating musical discovery puts you in a good mood and gives you the
impression of having not wasted your day, this album is meant for you! Outnote Records
