Nicolas Roux

Femi Kuti needs no introduction. Son of the legendary Fela Kuti, he has built for himself a two-decade long career, having released over a dozen albums. Like his father, he cannot dissociate music from the message it can convey. He recently performed in Paris, in the middle of the afternoon. I met him after the … Continue reading »

Building on the release of a recent album, Kora Jazz Band and their brand new line-up delivered a fiery performance at the New Morning in Paris. I obviously would not have missed it for anything. Here’s my verdict. As soon as I entered the jam-packed venue, I could not help but sensing a general impression … Continue reading »

The Orchestre National de Barbès was playing in London a couple of weeks ago. I met them to test the water before the show. They talked about their music, Barbès and also mentioned their views on the current unrest in Arabic countries.

The London International Documentary Festival 2011 featured the première of Agadez: The Music and the Rebellion. Director Ron Wyman tells the story of the Touareg of the region of Agadez, northern Niger, focusing on the rise of local guitar-hero and newly internationally acclaimed artist, Omar Moctar “Bombino”. Making documentaries about the Touareg has become en … Continue reading »

The sun was rising in Timbuktu, amidst the great Sahara desert of northern Mali. Since its founding by nomadic Touaregs, the legendary city has been a place of multiculturalism, trade, and spiritual exchange, attracting people from the remotest lands. As the city was enjoying the celebration of its 1000th anniversary, it became the centre of … Continue reading »