Frenchman Gilles Fruchaux is the co-founder of Buda Musique, one of the leading world music labels in Europe. Buda Musique has introduced international audiences to an impressive catalog featuring a wide range of artists and musical styles from across the globe.
Some of Buda Musique’s artists are well-known names in the world music scene: Gangbé Brass Band, Bi Kidudé, Janusz Prusinowski Kompania, Jaojoby, Danyel Waro, Gino Sitson, Les Tambours de Brazza, Les Yeux Noirs, Oudaden, Ray Lema and many more.
One of Buda Musique’s latest releases, Zanzibara 10, is the number one album at the Transglobal World Music Chart in February 2021. Gilles shared his experiences with us.
- What are your fondest musical memories?
French singers that my parents used to listen to on the radio. My first concert was at 8 years old: Choirs of the Red Army with my teacher, who has had a great influence on my access to culture, and other good pupils.
- When did you become interested in world music?
A travel in South East Asia in 1978. I listened to a gamelan in Jogjakarta (Java). It started there.
- When and why did you decide to start a world music label?
I was working in a distribution company named Mélodie, already partly involved in world music and became a close friend of the commercial director, Dominique Buscail. We decided to found our own label in 1987. Unfortunately, Dominique died in January 1990 and I went on alone.
- Many independent labels have disappeared. How did you manage to keep your label, Buda Musique afloat?
As I mentioned earlier, I worked alone for more than 30 years and managed the export business as an important part of the sales. I have known several bankruptcies of distributors or retailers (Tower) but survived. Digital sales have been a (small) breath of fresh air. One thing is sure, I will not retire being a tycoon.
- Your label has released really interesting compilation series like Ethiopiques and Zanzibara. How do you go about discovering, selecting and licensing the music?
In the case of Ethiopiques it was an important encounter with Francis Falceto, the editor of the collection, involved in Ethiopian culture since the eighties. Then, Francis introduced me to Werner Graebner, known as “Mister Zanzibar”. The life of my label is based on encounters. I consider myself more as a publisher, in the literary sens of the word, than as a producer.
- Buda Musique recently released Zanzibara 10: First Modern, Taarab Vibes from Mombasa & Tanga, 1970-1990. Tell us a little about this release and how did you put together this album during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Werner has his own studio in Germany and prepared the masters there. Since a while, the artwork and mastering are done and validated through internet (thanks to WeTransfer!). COVID has no real incidence in this part of the work. It is on a commercial point of view that it is much more difficult.
- Zanzibara 10 is the number 1 world music album in February 2021 at the Transglobal World Music Chart. What does this mean to you?
It is an important recognition from a network that I much respect. It is also an argument for my distributors.
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in terms of work and livelihood? What are you doing these days while there are frequent lockdowns and restrictions?
Life is rather boring for me as for everybody, no concert, no cinema (I used to watch at least one movie per week), no restaurant, no bar. My office is not far from my home so, as I work alone, I get there everyday. By luck, the projects are motivating. And during the first and straight lockdown the weather was nice and I have a little garden at home.
- In what ways are you promoting your releases?
Internet is the main tool and I have, thanks to my age, good contacts worldwide.
- What new albums are you planning to release this year?
L’Alba: A principiu (Corsica); Hamid Benani-Mehdi Haddab-Speed Caravan: Nuba Nova (Algeria); Balkan Taksim: Disko Telegraf (Balkans); Bonga Jean-Baptiste (Haiti), and maybe more, if it happens.
headline image: Gilles Fruchaux by Philippe Zani
More about Buda Musique
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.
I really enjoyed this interview,. It was refreshing.
Buda’s signing of Balkan Taksim looks interesting , I contacted them after hearing about their new release and they were charming.
Anadolka sounded fascinating
I was wondering how artist such as this are brought to Gilles’ attention. Is it simply a phone call from a friend? Do the artists contact Buda or does he still get time to travel and engage with artists?
Brad – gapyearshow@gmail.com