Winter sunburn

Thursday melodies - Alexandre Wälti

It’s possible to get sunburned in the middle of winter. Yes, yes, I assure you—you don’t have to be on a ski slope; the risk is there even in thick fog or when it’s snowing heavily. Even at dusk on your way home from work! That’s exactly when the magic of music works best. You know, when you’re enjoying those few minutes to yourself at the end of the day. The upside is that this kind of «sunburn» won’t have any lasting effects on your skin—it’ll just cause a little “offbeat” moment or some unexpected sidestep among the passersby along the lakefront. Here are three sunny albums!

Vaudou Game – OTODI 
(Hot Casa Records / 2018)

In any case, that’s the risk you take when you listen to Vaudou Game’s latest album! The Office Togolais du Disque—that’s what’s behind the acronym—is fantastic. How else can I describe this mix of funky basslines and that hyperactive vocal delivery, with lyrics that are sometimes ironic or politically engaged? I don’t know. That’s why I won’t dwell on describing it in more detail. Discover it all at your own pace—or while dancing. Just know that you’ll likely experience the same joy as when a patch of blue sky breaks through the gray clouds.

30 / 03 / 2019: In an uproar, Bubble

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Nicola Cruz – Siku
(ZZK Records / 2018)

Now travel to Ecuador. Follow the path of a ray of sunlight through the dense vegetation of the «selva,» the tropical rainforest. Part the leaves as you gently enter this mysterious realm. And yes! I promised you sunshine and warmth. Nicola Cruz creates electronic music blending pan flute, traditional percussion, acoustic guitar, and bossa nova. Thank goodness for cultural fusion! What would we do without this richness?

15 / 02 / 2019: Elysia, Basel

[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=1778979731 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small track=3446004514]

Dominique Fils-Aimé – Stay tuned!
(Ensoul Records / 2019)

The voice is an instrument. I invite those who aren’t yet entirely convinced by this statement to listen to Dominique Fils-Aimé—perhaps she’ll win you over. This Quebec-born artist is among the musicians who followed the initial lead of a certain Bobby McFerrin in the art of vocal performance. This isn’t beatboxing or vocal exercises, but rather the desire to craft melodies using the vocal cords as raw material and a truly devastating groove in her singing. This is a lunar eclipse!

No concerts are currently scheduled in Switzerland

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Photo credit: © Alexandre Wälti for Le Regard Libre