The last set of WOMEX 2020 showcases took place on Saturday, October 24.
Golnar & Mahan Trio
The first act on stage left was transcontinental collaboration Golnar & Mahan Trio (Iran/Canada/Austria). The trio combines beautiful Iranian vocals, elegant guitar and percussion, amalgamating Middle Eastern and jazz stylings. Members include Amir Wahba on percussion; Golnar Shahyar on vocals, guitar, piano and synthesizer; and Mahan Mirarab on guitars, fretless guitars and electronics. The trio released Derakht in 2017.
Fulu Miziki
Next, on stage right, the Afro-futuristic sound of Fulu Miziki, a fascinating band from Kinshasha in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fulu Miziki have created their own musical instruments by recycling discarded materials. The group started in in Kinshasa in 2003 by Pisko Crane, who designed and built the distinctive instruments: guembris made from computer casing, jerry-can drum-kit, keyboard devices from wood, springs and aluminum pipes; and a pipe marimba made from plastic tubes slapped at with the rubber soles of discarded flip-flops.
Fulu Miziki incorporates Congolese beats, funk, jazz and pop. The musicians wear out of the ordinary colorful costumes and masks made from waste materials as well. Band members include Bekila Delton Daniel, Bosele Bokungako Pitschou, Ewango Mabende Pisko, Ingau Sombola La Roche, Kalunzitasiko Vakanda Le Meilleur, Mena Kanieba Aicha, Nkoyi Somunga Padou, and Yenge Wayenge Agler.
Fanfara Station
Three musicians from diverse backgrounds got together to create Fanfara Station. The trio’s performance was a captivating mix of North African trance music made with several types of Tunisian woodwinds and percussion, jazz and electronic dance grooves.
Based in Italy, Fanfara Station includes Tunisian vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Marzouk Mejri; American trumpeter and trombonist Charles Ferris; and skillful electronic device programmer Ghiaccioli & Branzini. The trio released Tebourba in 2018.
Brìghde Chaimbeul
The next concert showcased the talent of a young Scottish musician, Brìghde Chaimbeul, a skilled small pipes player. She played a delightful set of solo pieces deeply grounded in Scottish Celtic tradition. Brighde has a solo album titled The Reeling (2019).
Justin Adams and Mauro Durante
Two acclaimed musicians, British guitarist Justin Adams and Italian fiddler and percussionist Mauro Durante presented a beguiling synthesis of Italian trance music known as taranta intertwined with electric blues.
Love & Revenge
Love for cinema and music characterizes the edgy sound of Love & Revenge (Lebanon/France). The group was conceived by Lebanese electronic music programmer Rayess Bek and visual artist and photographer, Randa Mirza (aka La Mirza). The group gives a second life to old Arab popular songs and movies by altering them through modern music production and live visual aesthetics. For this performance, Love & Revenge was joined by keyboardist Julien Perraudeau and electric ud maestro, Mehdi Haddab. The group released the album Love & Revenge in 2016.
Moto Kiatu
Moto Kiatu is a Madrid-based Spanish-Mexican DJ duo that hybridizes African sounds with electronica. They performed from a rooftop and are part of the thriving Spanish electronic scene that connects the Madrid-Berlin-Lisbon axis. Lineup: DJ Sinsistema and DJ Veinn.
La Perla
The last concert of the evening highlighted a rising world music act from Colombian called La Perla. The all-female group presented a lively set of bullerengue and cumbia featuring various types of drums and percussion and vocals. The Bogota-based trio includes Diana Sanmiguel on vocals and percussion; Giovanna Mogollón on vocals and hand drum; and Karen Forero on vocals and hand drums. La Perla released the ‘Paren la Bulla’ EP in 2017.
[headline photo: Fulu Miziki]
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.