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Funkie Junkie
Joined: 01 May 2003
Posts: 421
Location: Berlin
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 Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 22:59 |
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Richard Bona @ Quasimodo, Berlin
Hey everyone, I just bought a ticket to a Richard Bona concert in Berlin at the 28th of April.
I case you don't know who Richard Bona is, check out some of his vids at youtube:
vid 1 - song called "Laka M'ba"
vid 2 - bass solo (funny and good)
vid 3 - beautiful piece of music, seems to be done completely solo...
and in case you're still interested, his wiki, and here's his myspace.
Ok, enough info. Now, who wants to join me? 
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The name's Rob, just Rob |
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deesh
Joined: 23 Feb 2002
Posts: 2717
Location: +001
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| Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 00:47 |
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I really dig Richard Bona. At first I had no idea who he was and then I was assigned to review his CD. Wonderful artist and very nice man. I will not be in Berlin or I'd go with you. Sola really digs him too. Have a great time. His music is so soothing and calm and cultured.
Here is the review that I did of "Tiki" in August 2006:
http://www.giantstep.net/features/107
Honestly, before popping in this CD, I knew very little of Richard Bona. I knew he was from East Cameroon, could play multiple instruments and his new album, 'Tiki' featured a Grammy winner, but that was about it. What I do know is that Bona draws his inspiration and sound from a collaboration of several cultures including African and Latin. Okay, I can dig both of those. With that mindset, I decided to play it safe and listen to lead off track, "Please Don't Stop," featuring John Legend singing over a nice horn section to help retain some jazz flavor. There's also a brief introduction to Bona's voice, but when ballad "Kivu" hit my ears, I could hear his smooth voice a bit clearer. The track is over a minute long, but is quite powerful.
There is no absence of the Latin influence either. It's heard throughout several tracks including "Dipama," "O Sen Sen Sen" (accordion addition gives it a throwback and induces a Spanish Harlem vibe) and "Samaouma," which actually seems to mix in a bit of African rhythms in the beginning. As "Samaouma" progresses, the Latin mood blends in nicely with the tenor voice that is whispering some type of chant.
Individual instrumentation is highlighted on several tracks, but the one really worth mentioning is "Three Women." Beautifully orchestrated with minimal vocals, the strings are both haunting and calming. The crescendos are met by the bass guitar that takes listeners on an emotional journey. At times, "Three Women" appears slow and reflective before becoming a series of intense sections carried out by the collaboration of cellos and violins.
Up tempo jams also reveal themselves on 'Tiki,' including songs "O Beta O Siba" (very sweet) and "Manyaka O Brazil," which features Djavan, whose voice provides contrast to Bona's tone. Classic jazz is given a respectful nod in "Esoka Bulu." This track is one that I remembered the next day. The combination of the soft, warm piano and the brush tap of the drums provide a relaxed foundation for the vocals to give a proper tribute to the roots of jazz. Percussion is also essential to this entire album, but on "Akwa Samba YaYa." the drums give spice to the enchanted beginning. I honestly think this track should have been a bit longer. It's one you enjoy and start to feel halfway into the song. Actually, a whole song with strictly percussion is what I found missing from the album.
'Tiki' is a chill type album that you'd throw on at a small gathering or romantic night. Bona's spirit and respect for various musical cultures is reflected throughout. This CD deserves a place on the world music charts. Even with the language barrier between the lyrics and my ears, I still found this to be a good listen. That barrier forced me to pay closer attention to the music and hear the isolation of the instruments. Perhaps I should venture outside of my comfy music zone a little more often.
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Funkie Junkie
Joined: 01 May 2003
Posts: 421
Location: Berlin
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| Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 21:29 |
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Yeah, I saw him playing at the North Sea Jazz Festival (tv, haven't been there, unfortunately). He seems to be a very warm and happy person, and I think it translates well to his music. Very creative and a superb bassplayer, too!
"Tiki" is not my favourite album...there's a bit too much latin on there for my liking, still nice though. My favourite album and one I would recommend to anyone that's into jazz is "Munia". Brilliant stuff!
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The name's Rob, just Rob |
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deesh
Joined: 23 Feb 2002
Posts: 2717
Location: +001
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orlan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 397
Location: Venezuela
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 04:10 |
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FJ, I'd join you if I could go to Berlin...Richard Bona is just music himself!  an extreme talented multi player and very sweet voice...
I saw Mike Stern last night and thought Bona was gonna play too, as He recorded and toured with Stern on these last years. But Stern did the show with another virtouso players from my country-amazing gig- but I was, at least, for a few seconds so excited to think Bona could play here.
Hope you enjoy the gig and try to learn some chops off this Bass monster  |
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Funkie Junkie
Joined: 01 May 2003
Posts: 421
Location: Berlin
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:05 |
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| orlan wrote: |
FJ, I'd join you if I could go to Berlin...Richard Bona is just music himself! an extreme talented multi player and very sweet voice...
I saw Mike Stern last night and thought Bona was gonna play too, as He recorded and toured with Stern on these last years. But Stern did the show with another virtouso players from my country-amazing gig- but I was, at least, for a few seconds so excited to think Bona could play here.
Hope you enjoy the gig and try to learn some chops off this Bass monster |
Yeah, he is indeed music himself. That's how I would describe him too...and he's a great entertainer aswell.
I think Bona is touring Europe now so that's probably why he didn't play with Stern... but apparently he's a very wanted musician, I believe he also still playes with the Jaco Pastorius Tribute Band...
I do intend to take a good look at some of his playing! The man's got quite a technique!
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The name's Rob, just Rob |
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Sandriche
Officer & Jamily Coach
Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 5564
Location: Austraria
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 18:10 |
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look who is in the top friends of rob harris
 Richard Bona -Myspace
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