Congo beats to resound at Lower Parel tonight

Congo musician Fredy Massamba promises that he and his band are going to treat you to the "best African music ever" tonight

Congo musician Fredy Massamba promises that he and his band are going to treat you to the "best African music ever" tonight

Fredy Massamba may sing in Kikongo or Lingala. He may break into an impromptu jig. He may switch from Soul to Hip-Hop while his band decides to get funky.

Through it all though, he hopes his audience will understand the music and culture of the Congo a little better.

That the man is no novice helps. Massamba turned to song and dance at a young age born in Brazzaville, Congo, he started with street performances before graduating to choirs. As his repertoire grew, so did his audience.

Eventually, he began touring the world, collaborating with an array of impressive musicians along the way.
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"Working with [Belgian musical group] Zap Mama was a memorable experience," he says, when asked about those years on the road. "It gave me a chance to interact with great artistes like Bilal and Mos Def in America."

Mumbai gets its chance to catch Massamba live this month, and the performer is more than enthusiastic about the event. "All I know of India is Ravi Shankar," he admits, "because I love the tabla."

He does have a message for our musicians though. "I want to tell them we have the best African music," he says. "N'dombolo, Rumba we influenced most African as well as Afro-Caribbean music! We will leave you feeling good."

Those who pay world music the attention it rightly deserves may know that Massamba has a fairly impressive body of work to back his claims.

There is, for instance, his collaboration with Les Tambours Brazza 16 drummers and a choreographer presenting "drum dances" from the Congo. He is, at present, working on a solo effort titled Ethnophony.

As for the music he creates accompanied by brass, drums, guitar, keyboards and percussion u2014 it can get a bit tricky.

At best, it can be called a blend, bringing together Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, even some African chanting for good measure.

The one thing he guarantees his audience is a genuine taste of Africa. "My life is an invitation to travel," he adds, "to understand that we have no frontiers. There is no visa needed to feel my music!"

Fredy Massamba performs at The Blue Frog tonight and tomorrow at 9.30 pm. Call 61586158 for details. Entry: Rs 300.

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