We are incredibly honoured to announce that rising star of the world music scene, Blick Bassy, will play a rare solo show at Front Room Songs on the 15th October. He joins the bill with Brooke Sharkey in what promises to be an incredible night of music.
‘..transparent, understated and very beautiful’ **** Album of the Week, Evening Standard
‘..a short but beautifully realised gem from an innovative Paris label’ **** Observer
Fresh from a standing ovation at King’s Place, London (‘exquisite, soulful voice … with music this intriguing there (is) no need for gimmicks’ **** – The Guardian), we are delighted to welcome this rising star of world music. In this solo performance, Blick Bassy will present songs from his acclaimed album Akö. Written and sung in Bassa, one of some 260 spoken languages in Cameroon. Akö’s eleven sparklingly original tracks are a musical revelation.
Remarkable then, to consider that these are recordings that were never intended for release. Bassy’s original idea was to get together with the cellist Clément Petit and trombonist Fidel Fourneyron to record a few songs in homage to his longtime hero Skip James.
By chance, the studio they hired was directly below the offices of Nø Førmat!, the innovative French label run by Laurent Bizot, who happened to hear the results of this unlikely yet inspired musical alchemy. As Laurent relates, ‘when I heard the first song Aké, I was stunned. It sounded like a dream, so light, a voice floating in the sky. Production was minimal but bold and the music had a feel not often heard with African songwriters. They had taken risks they probably wouldn’t have done if the music was meant for release. The lack of budget, the time restraints and the restriction to three musicians has conjured something entirely unique and very fresh. Exactly what I like!’
A limited number of tickets is available from https://frontroomsongs.eventbrite.co.uk
Front Room Songs 