Cameroonian Soul Musician Blick Bassy Releases Solo Album

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist Blick Bassy released his first recording, titled Leman. On ‘Leman‘ (World Connection, 2009), Blick Bassy connects the music of Central and West Africa and mixes it with bossa nova, jazz and soul. Bassy’s guitar playing and his intoxicating, warm voice are enriched by the kora, calabash and a double bass resulting in a unique, haunting sound which is velvety with subtle harmonies, yet also raw with groovy rhythms.

‘Leman‘ was recorded in Salif Keita’s studio in Bamako, Mali, and in Bassy’s current hometown of Paris, and co-produced by Jean Lamoot (known for his work with Souad Massi, Salif Keita, Nneka and Kasse Mady Diabaté) and Jean-Louis Solans.

Bassy moved to Paris in 2005 where he started working with Manu Dibango, Cheikh Tidiane Seck, Lokua Kanza and Etienne Mbappé, leaving behind Cameroon as well as Macase, the award-winning group he had been a member of for almost 10 years. Regarded as the new soul voice of Cameroon, Bassy sings in his own language, Bassa, which is one of the 260 Cameroonian languages that fewer and fewer children know how to speak. Keen on preserving the Bassa’s musical traditions, Bassy’s soulful sound also blends in other influences such as Gilberto Gil, Marvin Gaye and Nat King Cole.

Buy the CD:

• In North America: Leman
• In Europe: Leman


Author: World Music Central News Room

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