ASH

Description

From the very beginning, it was all there—an intimate, sisterly magic deep down, minimalist on the surface, yet rich with a unique sensibility that captivated producer Richard Russell, head of the independent English label XL (in addition to releasing records by Adele, Jack White, and The XX, Richard Russell has produced Gil Scott-Heron and Bobby Womack). Ibeyi is XL's first signing of a French artist, and it’s a good one. Their eponymous debut album was released in February 2015. Barely out of the nest, Naomi and Lisa quickly learned to fly, and to fly far. The sisters always believed in Ibeyi's international dimension. Success didn't just fall into their laps; they went out and found it. Two years of touring and some beautiful videos (we remember the one for River) would make them known worldwide. They played everywhere—in the Americas, Japan, Benin, of course in Europe, and even in Australia. At the time of their album's release, they were singing for family and friends in a small Parisian venue. And now, they find themselves on the road, crossing paths with their idols Prince (who came to see them in concert in Minneapolis), Beyoncé (who invited them into the film for her album Lemonade), and Quincy Jones. There they are in their spiritual home, Cuba, performing a Yoruba song for the opening of Chanel's first fashion show on the island. And there's Iggy Pop talking about them on the BBC. And, even more beautiful, there they are in front of sold-out venues, thousands of fans who know the lyrics to their songs by heart. Ibeyi in the new world, the force is with them. Ibeyi's discography is a loop. They recorded their first album in Richard Russell's studio. They were even the first to work in that studio, and they returned there to record Ash, again with Richard Russell. Listening to this second album, you first hear that nothing has changed. Because, fundamentally, Ibeyi is still this sister duo whose voices intertwine over percussion, in sensual and mysterious songs, like light prayers. But everything has evolved. In the music first. More instruments, more arrangements, more groove, auto-tune, a choir, guests met on the road (saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Chilly Gonzales, Me’shell Ndegeocello, Spanish rapper La Mala) and others (all women), invited by the magic of samples (Michelle Obama, Frida Kahlo, Claudia Rankine, author of The Citizen, a book of poems on the experience of racism). This new energy in Ibeyi's music reflects their two years of touring, encounters, new experiences, life, and simply opening up to the world. Sung in English, Spanish, and Yoruba, the songs on Ash speak of racism, independent women, police violence, the abyss beneath our feet, transmission, collective awakening.