Ngueme & smiling blues

Description

Roland Tchakounté continues to traverse the bridge that connects blues and Africa with this sixth album "Nguémé & Smiling Blues". He evokes the strengths and weaknesses of Africa using a double language: the Bamiléké of his Cameroonian origins, and the characteristic blue notes of the blues that changed his destiny forever the day he discovered it: "Hearing John Lee Hooker was a revelation. I even thought he was an African musician who had Americanized his name." "Nguémé," "trial" in Cameroonian pidgin, perfectly translates Tchakounté's desire to never forget those who suffer. In this, his approach remains irretrievably faithful to the spirit of the blues, whose primary function has always been to relieve suffering by telling their stories. Very inspired by the atmosphere of an electric Chicago blues highlighted by the presence of loyal guitarists Mick Ravassat and keyboardist Damien Cornelis (Malted Milk), "Nguémé & Smiling Blues" confirms the unique place that Roland Tchakounté occupies in the blues landscape. Carried by a voice often reminiscent of Taj Mahal's, he remains one of the very few artisans of the genre capable of weaving a sensitive link between Africa and the primary musical art of Black America.