Perpignan, France -- In its 10th year, the free festival, Ida Y Vuelta, was brought in off the streets and held for the first time at La Casa Musicale. This important community resource in Perpignan is a center for musicians both young and established. Ongoing musical educational programs and stages, a recording studio, practice rooms, and a range of performance sites are available to all in this cross cultural musical community. It was an ideal location for the festival.
Four stages were located throughout the property, and there was little to no sound bleed from any stage to another. The sound production was some of the best I’ve seen. The lighting crew were masters at their art with dazzling colors, swirling patterns, and holographic images floating high over the old church backing the main stage. The rooftop stage, up on a beautiful old wall on a right angle to the main stage, provided beautiful imagery for the sunset performances after the first main act had finished. The center itself was magically transformed by a fantastic combination of plastique arts, sculptures and window decorations. I asked where the art would go after the festival and was told that it was right now melting in the rain that had started the last night after the last event. An ephemeral existence.
The Festival presented a range of music, reflecting the range of cultures that share that city. At one point there was an Arabic band on the main stage, a Gitan disco on another, and American tunes being piped onto a third area. There were drum circles, young performers, traditional groups, world music, dance, and other percussion groups. Food vendors, info booths, and cafés made the festival a come-early-and-stay-late affair. Prices were reasonable and it was truly a family affair.
The two groups I focused on were Tekameli on Saturday night and Fraïda on Sunday. Both are local groups and are friends with each other. Both make a lot of music at La Casa Musicale.
The original Tekameli was known for its cross-cultural mixture. The musicians came from differing gangs, ideologies, and neighborhoods but shared love of the music. Their independent sound was a fusion of the various ethnic roots of the group with evolution. They produced two CDs both marked by haunting harmonies, instrumental mastery, and the sense of being taken somewhere new and whole. Somewhere you wanted to stay. About 4 years ago the group changed structure and personnel. Four members splintered off and formed the basis of the group Kaloome, another fabulous Perpignan group. For this night at the festival, the new lead guitarist of Tekameli could not play and was in Paris. Tato, now of Kaloome, stepped in to fill his old shoes with the group. A charismatic individual and a passionate player, it was an honor to have him there. Another original member, Sabrina Romero, joined on a song. Her un-mistakable vocals evoke exotic imagery and impressions. Her zapatas were sizzling!
This performance showed that Tekameli is a group that sounds great in the studio, and even better live. Their vocals are strong, fluid, their playing is top notch. Their music remains mesmerizing.
The half hour set was not nearly long enough. In addition to several old originals and a Rumba Medley, they played a new song off their upcoming CD. Due out in Sept, I was told it will have worldwide distribution. Check FNAC. This news should please long time Tekameli fans who have been waiting a long time for a new CD. The familiar elements of Tekameli were alive and well in all the music that wonderful concert evening.
This Manouche group, famille Adel, from Rives Saltes is a heart stopper. Comprised of three brothers and a daughter/niece, the benchmarks of this group are strong vocals with exquisite and almost mystical harmonies supported by instrumental excellence. While remaining true to their Manouche musical base, their arrangements of traditional songs as well as their original music is a fusion of many styles; jazz, bossa nova, rumba, swing, romantic ballads, Latin, Slavic. Madigan, the twelve year old lead singer had crowds holding their breath with the maturity of her magical sound. Her father, Logan, has an impressive full, powerful, and emotive voice. Together, with her uncle Alain, the vocals soar. Lead guitarist and composer/arranger of the group, John, seamlessly leads the group through tempo and style changes and his tasteful and technically skilled playing adds the perfect grace note to the performance.
The rooftop stage provided a visually stunning setting for their set. The sound quality was excellent. They captured the crowd and their 30 minute set was again way too short. The crowd futilely called for an encore. A newspaper review the next day cited the Fraida performance as the one the audience truly loved. They have recorded a CD that will be released later in the Fall. Check back for details of where to buy it.
The Ida y Vuelta Festival gets a HUGE THUMBS UP from this reporter for Gypsy Soul.
Cathy de floride,
Perpignan, France