2023-08-15 11:02:13
Every life has its key moments. What would have been the trajectory of the singer born in Marie-Galante (Guadeloupe) and settled in Montreal Malika Tyrolien without the extraordinary milestones that have punctuated his career?
Malika Tirolien par James MALIKA TIROLIEN
What would have happened if, determined to approach the music that inspired her, hip-hop, jazz and soul, the singer-songwriter-pianist-leader had not chosen to pursue his musical studies in North America but in France, like his comrade, the brilliant drummer Arnaud Dolmen ? What would have happened if she had accepted the offer to become a permanent member of Cirque du Soleil, after having worked there for a few months as a substitute? What would have happened if Michael Leagueafter a soundcheck of Snarky Puppy, had not passed by the tiny Haitian club in Montreal Le Lambi, had heard her sing with her group Ground Food and had been so won over that he took her contact details… before inviting her to participate in the famous « Family Dinner – Volume One » ?
A short answer is that if any of these events did not occur as described, then « History »a superb third album by Bokanté, the group she co-leads with Michael League, clearly their best album to date, would certainly never have seen the light of day.
« History » above all shows how versatile and adaptable Malika Tirolien is. Not only does Malika excel in her role as a singer, capable of mastering and transmitting a wide range of emotions, but her multiple experiences as a chorister and her deep harmonic knowledge give her a marvelous perception of all other voices, of the way in which an entire Vocal section at the top of its game can and should sound. To be convinced of this, we will listen to the astonishing a cappella overture to « Bye Domi ».
There is much more. Since 2019, the year of the disappearance of Dorothy Masuka, I wondered who would one day be able to issue with the same rhythmic authority screeches, groans, yelps that were the trademark of the South African singer. Listen to Tirolien’s stunning effects throughout the track « Illimitable ». My wait is now over.
The album “History” of the group Bokanté REAL WORLD
Initially, Michael League had assembled a supergroup of instrumentalists with diverse heritages. We are now dealing with a real group, experienced, which has toured a lot, has flourished, and you can hear it. League mainly plays Moroccan guembri. As the musician explains in the press release: “I’ve always been a frustrated drummer and the guembri is an instrument that feels like playing bass, drums and melody at the same time. » The opening with the title track shows this deep sound that supports Malika’s voice, before moving on to a section that recalls the « New Frontier » by Donald Fagen, from Nightfly. There are other sudden and wonderful transitions and strange spectral presences. Like the ghost of « Shot Down in Flames » of AC/DC which hovers briefly and strangely over certain moments of “Heard”
When I met Malika Tirolien last July at the Montreal Jazz Festival where she performs regularly, the singer confided to me her determination to touch people through her music. “The audience identifies with the music”she explains. “It’s something that gives you an emotion but we want to know if the lyrics are in tune with the sound. » That’s absolutely correct. If the groove is irresistible, there is much more to discover. To achieve this, the disc offers complete texts and translations. Some are in Guadeloupean Creole (she is very proud of her heritage), others in French and English. To be recommended without reservation.
Read also: Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedrito Martínez, two Cuban wizards at Ronnie Scott’s
Sebastian Scotney, British website publishing director London Jazz News. Original article published in English on TheArtsDesk.com. Translation by Yannick Le Maintec.
1 CD : Bokanté – « History » (2023, Real World)
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