The 1960s were a time of change everywhere, and that includes Bamako, the capital city of Mali, a nation only recently independent from French colonial rule.
DANCING THE TWIST IN BAMAKO is a romance fraught with the drama of political change, infused with the musical energy of that decade. Samba, a young, idealistic socialist, works toward creating a more just nation by day and dances with girlfriend Lara to the Beach Boys, Otis Redding, and the Supremes by night.
The film’s sensibility is inspired by the vibrant images, patterns, and compositions of famed Malian photographer, Malick Sidibé. Lara’s orange silk dress and Samba’s dazzling white suit, shot against the striped backdrop of their dance club and the black and white checked dance floor they cut up — all suggest that change is coming rapidly, that life is for living.
THE MALI-CUBA CONNECTION / AFRICA MIA (US PREMIERE)
1964. In the midst of the Cold War, ten promising young musicians from Mali are sent to Cuba to study music and strengthen cultural links between the two socialist countries. Combining Malian and Afro-Cuban influences, they develop a revolutionary new sound and become the iconic ensemble ‘Las Maravillas de Mali’. New Year’s Eve 2000. Richard Minier, a French music producer meets a former member of the band in Bamako and decides to bring the band back together.
Directed by Richard Minier and Edouard Salier, 2020, France/ Cuba/Mali, 81 minutes, documentary, French and Spanish with English subtitles.
OVER 100 MILLIONS STREAMS 500 SHOWS PERFORMED inclu. Reeperbahn (DE, Eurosonic (NL), Great Escape Festival (UK) 1 FRENCH MUSIC AWARD: Les Victoires de la Musique for best new live show GLOBAL COMMERCIALS SYNCH: The most famous luxury brands have chosen their music for their campaigns ARMANI “SI” starring Cate Bkanchett YVES SAINT LAURENT “ROUGE VOLUPTE” starring Kaia Gerber LACOSTE “FRENCH PANACHE”, the genderless perfume GIORGIO ARMANI “LIP MAESTRO” lipstick web campaign
Following to having Hyphen Hyphen on Levi’s Music Project in 2018, the brand chose the band to DJ at their Coachella Pool Party, along Snoop Dogg.
In 2016, those who did not know them yet would discover Hyphen Hyphen on the prestigious Victoires de la Musique stage for an explosive performance of the single « Just Need Your Love ». The group had just won the Best New Live Act Award. A logical coronation for the young 25-year old French artists, who have become masters of the art of embracing the crowds during intense concerts – Hyphen Hyphen has a track record of several hundreds of dates in the biggest venues and festivals.
“HH”, the newest chapter of Hyphen Hypehn’s discography is composed, but also entirely produced by the band. Not a surprise coming from those Art school graduates designing also their own artworks, shows and music videos.
An impetus and a wild strength are across all the new compositions of the trio. “HH” is a grand, lively album; one in the form of a slap (and we’re asking for it again); free in the way it draws on all the genres.
It draw equally as well on the groove of RnB as it does on the immediateness of pop or the trance of UK House. A logical eclecticism for a group whose musical hall of fame brings together artists as varied as Kanye West and Chopin, Destiny’s Child and B.B. King. A great album too, in the way it puts together lyrics rich in meaning.
Hyphen Hyphen do dance for sure, but with their heads full of everything which has made up this zeitgeist: sexual freedom, a quest for intoxication and feminism.
Althought the group took sole responsibility for the production of its album, Hyphen Hyphen was also alble to surround themselves with the best: “HH” was recorded in the Parisian studio of the Air musicians (Atlas studio), where the group was able to make the most of a vast choice of synthesizers and the participation of the drummer, Zoé Hoochberg.
To perfect her voice, now capable of remarkables acrobatics, Santa called on the talent of the American Guy Roche, the regular vocal coach of the greats (Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguillera, etc.).
The mixing of the album was entrusted to Maxime Le Guil, already behind albums by Justice, Radiohead, and Morrissey, and the mastering was entrusted to Vlado Meller (an impressive CV – from Kanye West to Frank Ocean, by way of Michael Jackson).
Strengthened by this star casting and the immense talent of its authors, HH is an album that is at once powerful and uncategorisable, which goes straight to the heart.
NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES
5/10 @ Drake Underground – Toronto, Canada- Tickets 5/11 @ Le Ministère – Montréal, Canada – Tickets 5/12 @ Baby’s All Right – Brooklyn, NY –Tickets 5/14 @ Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA – Tickets 5/16 @ Moroccan Lounge – Los Angeles, CA – Tickets
BOOK THIS AUTHENTIC BLUES ARTIST FOR YOUR FESTIVAL, SHOW OR EVENT: billyjonesbluez@aol.com
CD REVIEW: "La Hora del Blues" Radio Show from Barcelona, Spain:
"..this excellent recording combines blues, funk & southern soul with taste and class resulting in an actual urban sound, perfect to attract new generations of blues lovers. ..powerful songs. ..amazing punch and good rhythm.
..Jones’ voice and guitar work shine like a dazzling star!"
Born in the deep south of United States, where segregation was present in most aspects of daily life, Billy Jones grew up in his grandfather's bar, listening to blues in different juke joints and bars. Elmore James, Big Joe Turner, Jackie Wilson, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke and other great blues and soul musicians were his influences and, when he was only five years old, he already had a guitar on his hands. Soon he started to perform for the American troops, which allowed him to travel all over the world and get a wide musical experience. Now he brings us his last and excellent recording, that accurately combines blues, funk and southern soul, always with an excellent taste and class, which makes as a result an actual urban sound, perfect to attract the new generations of blues music lovers. Ten powerful songs with an amazing punch and good rhythm, where Billy Jones’ well pitched voice and excellent guitar work shine like a dazzling star, perfectly supported by Corey Bray on keyboards, Rev. "Do Dirty" Kendrix on bass and Mark Flinoil on drums. A highly recommended work. In short words, this is a superb album in many concepts. GREAT.
"..some stuff you just can't buy at your local music store.
..absolute authenticity ..only comes from the real thing."
..flaming hot funky blues guitar! ..tortured Southern Soul.
..brimstone devil notes blazing from demon possessed fingertips.
“ Billy Jones’ ‘Funky Blues & Southern Soul - Volume 1' is, what the title already suggests, a mix of fine Southern Soul and great blues, where Billy's sometimes scorching guitar goes far beyond the qualitative average… “ - www.rootstime.be
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..bring the fun ..passion ..danger ..excitement ..sexuality ..mystery ..mojo and magic that you get when you hire artists that have actually traveled the Blues Highway in the Land Where The Blues Began.
Book the NEW American Bluesman & his band of Genuine Road-hardened Delta Blues Outlaws for the best time ever at your Festival, Show or Event.
"Billy Jones brings back the Thrill. No one who I can think of has taken a truly contemporary look at traditional blues with the musical and lyrical intensity of Billy Jones. A refreshing blast of the really great sound of Healing Blues, Jazz, Funk Music. Loaded with Rich Blues Tradition. B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Even Johnny Winter Flavors. I recommend his cd 'Funky Blues & Southern Soul - volume 1' to any avid blues listener and I look forward to hearing more from the reclusive Billy Jones.
This guy is the real deal and this is a great CD!"
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..to every Entertainment Director in every Blues Society, Juke Joint & Honky Tonk on the planet Earth.
...bring the absolutely authentic & real thing to your festival, show or event. ...book The Billy Jones Band.
Taking Blues to New Places with R&B, Southern Soul, and Urban Style :
"One of the very Best Authentic Modern Blues and Soul albums in recent memory.
Billy Jones is a totally charismatic veteran who shows all the signs of becoming as big or bigger than Buddy Guy.
What really got to me were the lyrics. ...it is “Blues” ..transformed, updated and urbanized."
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"Exquisite Modern and Traditional Blues and Neo-Soul by one of the most talented artists on the contemporary scene."
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"This man has enormous talents. ..he has a quiet demeanor which disappears when his performance starts.
Then he transmogrifies into an animated music machine. ..a great musician and a gifted performer. ...and a nice guy." - http://www.soul-patrol.net
"...he has a voice that will enchant you. ...his songs are oozing with sexuality. ...at times dark. ...mysterious. ...downright funky, and always compelling. ...Billy Jones is certainly his own man. ...with a show-stopping style!" Mz. SouthernSoul Blues Critic
...genuine road-hardened delta blues outlaws. ...blues/funk meets southern soul!
"...his vocals are a blend of blues intensity and style with urban soul. ...incredibly soulful and funky! ...it’s as if every song chastises me for never having heard of this man or his music before now. ...a combination of multiple genres while still maintaining a great late night, urban club feel. No matter if you want to call it soul, blues, R&B or whatever, Billy Jones can really put some emotion into his music. ...and as I say all the time, that is what music, and especially Southern Soul music, is all about. ...each of the songs guarantees I’ll be back for more."
- Southern Soul Review
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Book This Band to perform at your Club, Festival or Event.
Billy Jones spent his teen and young adult years touring with, playing back-up guitar and being mentored by Calvin Leavy, Little Johnny Taylor and Larry 'Totsie' Davis. ...these are the original versions by the original masters that were written and recorded long before the cultural raiders and imitators came along.
All three of these great artists died penniless and unrecognized. ...and their life's works stolen to make fortunes for others. Now ain't that the Blues?
...it is an honor to have been a musical soldier in their bands.
