Canada-based South African singer and JUNO award-winning artist Lorraine Klaasen has a new album out titled Nouvelle Journée, or New Day, (Justin Time Records). It’s a collection of songs sung in Tsonga, Sotho, IsiZulu and Xhosa, as well as English and French, that have a slight political tone, infused with hip-shaking, toe-tapping rhythms.
Based in Montreal for more than 35 years, Klaasen creates an enticing mix of South African sounds, strongly seasoned with West Indian flavors.
The album features Congolese drummer Noel Mpiaza and Haitian musician Medad Ernest, who contributes his jazz and gospel groove on the accordion and keyboards. Local musicians completing the roster are Assane Seck, the most in-demand Senegalese artist in Montreal, brothers André and Ross Whitman (of the famed West Indian Soca band Jab Jab), as well as Quebec’s double-bassist master Cédric Dind-Lavoie, who has become a fixture on the local world music scene; and a trio of young backing vocalists: Anne Metellus, Melissa Gresseau, and Cynthia Binette.
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.
