The annual musical journey for thousands of fans of Australia’s premier festival of music, arts and dance begins now;
the WOMADelaide 2012 Compilation CD has been released nationally and is available here.The album features 16 fabulous tracks selected from the more than 60 groups performing at the 20^th anniversary WOMADelaide, to be held from 9-12 March 2012 in Adelaide’s Botanic Park.

From the confines of a comfy chair, listeners can float and dance their way around the globe, from the Ivory Coast to Finland, Spain to Jamaica, France to the Mongolian steppes, Senegal to Ireland, on to Palestine and back to Australia.

Featured on the CD and sure to be one of this year’s festival highlights, is Senegal’s Baaba Maal – an icon of African music since the 80s.  His distinctive voice, exhilarating live shows and willingness to experiment with different sounds, while always retaining the beauty of the Senegalese traditions he grew up with, shines through in “Fanta.”

The soaring, pure voice of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is the most distinctive and important in Australian music today. Sung in his native Yolngu tongue atop sparse acoustic accompaniment, his mesmerising sound is captured afresh in the track “Gopuru”, taken from his award-winning second album.

Despite being handicapped by polio and living rough on the streets of Kinshasa, Staff Benda Bilili’s singers, guitarists and percussionists have become a global sensation.  The pulse of their Congolese rumba in their track “Moziki” gives you a taste of their energetic, joyous and inspirational live performances.

A few noodling grooves, with Neil Finn on drums and wife Sharon Finn on bass, became a rich array of songs with Sean Donnelly and Alana Skyring (The Grates) for Pajama Club’s acclaimed debut album, released last year.

Hailing from the Ivory Coast, Dobet Gnahoré merges African roots with the European influence of her French guitarist and partner in “Deka.”  Direct from France, Lo’Jo find inspiration from gypsy fiddle, chanson, Berber desert music, African talking drums and even elements of Caribbean groove in “Je prends la nuit.”

Chapelier Fou embraces samples and digital delay loops to create intricately-layered sound textures in “Secret Handshake”, while Le Trio Joubran (Palestine) bring new life to the ancient oud in their track “Nawwâr”.

Digging deep into Mongol traditions, the 10-piece Anda Union combines a range of traditional instruments and the majesty of throat singing in “Hoorai.”  In stark contrast, Blue King Brown defines urban roots music empowered with fiery social messages in “Never Fade Away.”

Mahala Rai Banda kick serious brass with its fierce 21^st Century gypsy funk; hints of dub and soul, Turkish and Arabic music captured in a roaring dance mix “Tu Romnie.”  Shikumar Sharma has reinterpreted the role of the Kashmiri 100-string santoor and brings a meditative classical aspect to the CD with “Jhala.”  Diego Guerrero y el Solar de Artistas carry the raw, grainy expressiveness that characterises the passion of true flamenco with their track “Malos Tiempos”.

 Sharon Shannon reaches beyond Irish traditional music and squeezes fresh sounds from the accordion in “The Wild West Wagon Train.”  Capturing the essence of true roots reggae, Groundation blend jazz and dub into their sound in “Humility”.

A bonus track is featured on the CD – The Black Seeds “Bulletproof”.  The Black Seeds, appearing at WOMAD NZ a week after WOMADelaide, have carved out a unique sound that fuses reggae with infectious grooves.

Whether it becomes a souvenir of the 20^th anniversary WOMADelaide in 2012 or the warm-up to the real thing, the diversity and quality of music on this CD is sure to give audiences an opportunity to discover some new favourite artists.

To begin with, a big ‘‘merci’’ to everyone who made it to So Frenchy So Chic in the Park at Werribee Mansion in Melbourne on January 15. As one review so kindly put it, God is Francophile: the weather was glorious, the setting of sprawling gardens, lake and historic mansion picturesque, the Provence-meets-Melbourne atmosphere enchanting and the music in tune with its surrounds.  For those of you who caught Nouvelle Vague, Asa, Moriarty and Fefe around the country, we’re glad you had such a great time: every show (Sydney Festival, Adelaide, Brisbane) sold out and there was no shortage of dancing and merrymaking. You should know the artists were just as seduced by you and the charms of Down Under, and were reluctant to head back to Paris’ winter chill. Poor petals, we’d have been happy to entertain them for longer. As for the rest of summer, we’re hoping you have enough So Frenchy, So Chic joie de vivre in your step to see you through. As always, it’s all about finding the right notes…

Check out our photo albums on our facebook pages. here and here

REVIEWS

Voila some reviews published in the press post event. Please visit our facebook page to view our photo albums here and here

BROADSHEET – “French champagne, wine and picnic hampers stuffed with all manner of Parisian delights were consumed as barefooted patrons weaved between picnic rugs towards the stage, played croquet on the lawn and explored the property in large sun hats and summer frocks” More

THE AGE: “Its not a sound its a lifestyle.” More

EVERGUIDE – “With past SFSC live events taking place as simple double bills at local venues, this grand endeavour of a full day festival at Werribee Mansion was a big step forward, pulled off (almost) without a hitch”. More

FASTER LOUDER – Hip-hop artist Fefe presents an explosive live show fusing elements of funk, soul, blues, rock and the odd ballad More

BEAT: “So Frenchy 2012 was a perfect day of music in the sunshine” More

LIFEMUSIC MEDIA – “Moriarty proved that they are truly a musical ensemble, with each musician showcasing breathtaking talent on their instruments”

FASTER LOUDER – “They (nouvelle Vague) beguile the audience with their rhythms and voices.”

SBS French program podcast – More

We  know the world has plenty of rock stars, pop stars and wanna be stars – they’re everywhere! But the world doesn’t have enough troubadours; those unique artists who make music because its in their DNA and embrace variety like intrepid travellers

Welcome to the musically quirky and eclectic world that is Babylon Circus. True troubadours in every sense of the word and the world, this nine-piece French band from Lyon have taken the road as their home and to date have played more than 900 concerts in 30 countries.

The Detroit News suggests this recipe: “mix Django Reinhardt with Jacques Brel, add a little Gogol Bordello and you’ll come close to what Babylon Circus sounds like”. For the rest of us, imagine a punky anti-establishment take on ska, pop, chanson, gypsy and dancehall all shoved into a magical suitcase.

Don’t take our word for it, find out for yourself with ‘La Belle Etoile’. Sung in French and sometimes English, this musical menagerie is a wild and unique CD: choose from the hints of chanson in Marions Nous Au Soleil to the odd chugging of La Cigarette, jaunty hip-hop meets toasting of L’Envol and the odd off-kilter rock of Perdu.

Even wilder are the band’s off-stage antics, which include escapades like police chases, beatings and imprisonment in Irish jails, a bathtub of ‘Absolut’, double concussions and hospitalisation in Russia and joining Muslim carnival processions in Syria.

Known for their insanely fun and unpredictable shows, Babylon Circus are back in Australia in for the Falls Festival. You’ll be in for a big treat when you join the chaos!

Moriarty – I will do

Cascadeur – Walker

Egg Unlimited has prepared three specially created hampers  for So Frenchy So Chic in the Park. Book now as they are freshly made to order

Decadent French Fare for Two (pic above): Four soft brioche rolls filled with rare roasted Angus beef, house made onion marmalade and horseradish cream Share tub of salad nicoise French cheese plate of sharp cheddar and blue cheeses, muscatels, quince paste accompanied with rye, currant and walnut croutes Two rich cakes made with pear, polenta and lemon topped with ginger glazed pear slices Seasonal fresh fruit to share Napkins Bamboo cutlery – $74.90 (inc BF)

Pre order from Cartell   Pre order from Ticketmaster

Vegetarian Sharebox: Four French rectangle tarts of caramelised onion, double brie and fresh thyme Two tubs of salad nicoise – fresh green beans, chat potatoes, cherry tomatoes, free range egg and black olives served with a walnut dressing Fresh fruit selection Napkins Bamboo cutlery – $39.90 (inc BF)

Pre order from Cartell  Pre order from Ticketmaster

French Fare for two : Two crunchy white baguettes of smoked leg ham, double brie, crisp cos lettuce and peach chutney Two tubs of salad nicoise – fresh green beans, chat potatoes, cherry tomatoes, free range egg and black olives served with a walnut dressing Two Frangipane rectangle tarts made from fresh blueberries and zesty lemon Napkins Bamboo cutlery – $49.90 (inc BF)

Pre order from Cartell  Pre order from Ticketmaster

The Dø – Both Ways Open Jaws. “They’re the brains behind some of the most insanely catchy pop on the market” Sunday Times (UK)

When Moriarty released their first album, Gee Whiz But This is a Lonesome Town, critics scratched their collective heads over what, aside from its creators, defined it as French.

More Paris, Texas, than Paris, France, it melded harmonica, kazoo, harp and Wild West twang in a manner that evoked visions of tumbleweed, hillbillies and bison — a long way from the glamorous arrondisements of the City Of Lights. The band’s name borrows from a Jack Kerouac tale; Dean Moriarty was the hero of On The Road, a “holy goof” who’s got “the secret that we’re all busting to find out”. But is also means “man of the sea” in Gaelic (not Gallic), which ties neatly to the group’s penchant for folk melodies – and the oceans spanning its member’s collective roots: France, America, Switzerland and Vietnam. As for their new album, The Missing Room, penned after a long stint of touring (maybe all those hotel rooms blended into one), it has plenty of French twists if you’re looking for them. Consider the song titles: Where is the Light, How Many Tides, The Dark Line in the Middle of Hope; if Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir weren’t debating such existential quandaries in Paris’ Cafe de Flore back in the day, what were they doing? If you get the groove, Moriarty will be back Down Under in January for So Frenchy So Chic in the Park. It’ll be a perfect chance to stop and smell the roses.

A new recipe for overnight success entered the music industry a few years back and its main ingredient involved having your catchy tune picked up by a major corporation and turned into a soundtrack for all things cool and cutting edge in the process. For Feist, this meant recording a Sally Seltman song (1234) and having her career launched into a different hemisphere through an Ipod Nano advertisement. For Paris-born, Israeli-raised Yael Naim, it meant writing a song called New Soul and having it picked up by Apple to launch that nifty new gadget known as the MacBook Air. Three years later, Naim brings us her third album, the curiously titled “She was a Boy”, which delivers a posy of songs that reference both her heritage (born to Tunisian parents) and very universal conundrums: finding your way through everyday life. Its soulful lyrics travel on songs that emboider jazz/folk compositions with whimsical and exotic instrumentation: flute, cello, mangolin, charango, ukulele. It mightn’t feature a smash hit for the advertising industry, but you’ll find it good company regardless. And, like a new friend, it reveals itself in playful flourishes.

Sample the album 

To be released by Cartell Music in Australia in late July, the record follows Seun Anikulapo Kuti’s critically acclaimed debut, 2008’s Many Things, and triumphant first performances in Australia in 2009 headlining WOMADelaide and Luminous in Sydney. While his father’s influence cannot be understated, the new cd sees Kuti cut his own musical path, bringing contemporary influences into the traditional Afrobeat approach. “I wanted to do something completely different,” Kuti says.  “My last album, it was my first time in control…This time, I said, ‘Okay, I can be more confident in how I express myself, I can say what I want, be as complex as I want.’”

“What inspires me is the time that I live in,” Kuti says.  “what’s happening today in Africa are the same things that were happening 40 years ago, when my father was songwriting, but they’re happening in different ways.  So when I write my music, it’s from the perspective of a 27-year-old in 2011, instead of a 30-year-old in the 1970s.” Recorded at Rio de Janiero’s Cia. Dos Tecnicos Studios with veteran producer/mixer Godwin Logie and produced in London in 2010 by Kuti and legendary producers Brian Eno and John Reynolds,  From Africa With Fury: Rise sees Kuti finding his voice as songwriter, singer, and band leader in his own right.

The album captures Seun Kuti and Egypt 80’s extraordinary live power, scorching rhythms and kinetic funk energy that has earned the band worldwide acclaim as one of the world’s most incendiary live acts.  With Kuti’s booming vocals, songs like “African Soldiers” and “Mr. Big Thief” are fueled by call-and-response hooks, breakneck tempos, and combative, topical lyricism prove the classic Egypt 80 sound remains a distinctive and commanding musical force the modern era.

SAMPLE THE ALBUM

So, let’s begin with rock: last month Cartell headed to Printemps de Bourges. France’s oldest music festival, it began in 1977 with a mission to showcase the country’s more eclectic, alternative sounds. Bringing together 80 shows and 200 artists, the festival’s other appeal is its picturesque setting; a city whose history dates back to the days of Julius Caesar, the Iron Age and Renaissance. If you delight in curious juxtapositions of sight and sound, time and place, old and new, this is the place to head. If one gig blurs into the next, from Moriarty and Yael Naim to The Do and Katherine, you know you’re just doing the rock’n'roll approach proud.

The roll end of the deal involved four days in Paris, peddling around the city on a bicycle and meeting with labels, bookers and band managers to hear what’ll be making waves in the European music scene over the next months.

And back to rock again: Cartell returned Down Under last week for Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, to mix a soundtrack for the Yeojin Bae catwalk show. So now it’s time for another stint of roll; this is the part where we bundle up the music we heard on our travels and get it to your ears as fast as we can. As the old adage goes, get ready to rock’n'roll.