Lanmou Lanmou (Underdog Records) is the new album from an excellent Kreyol Afro-Futurist band called Dowdelin. The bands’s sound is grounded in French Caribbean traditional music. Lanmou Lanmou is scheduled for release on January 28, 2022.
Dowdelin is based in France and features musicians with roots in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Armenia. “Touring, performing live really shaped the sound of Lanmou Lanmou.” explains David Kiledjian. “The first album, we were still figuring out our sound but here, everybody in the band understood their role and the kind of music we’re dealing with. I think that is what made this record more alive, organic and danceable.”
Dowdelin was co-founded by multi-instrumentalist and producer David Kiledjian and Lyon-based singer-songwriter of Martinique origin, Olivya Victorin. Although the band initially combined contemporary jazz, R&B and neo-soul, Olivya’s Caribbean heritage introduced the rich traditions of the Caribbean.
The current sound of Dowdelin masterfully combines French Creole vocals, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, future funk, and Creole jazz. “When we play, we represent the possibility of hearing the same melodies in traditional African music, as we do in music from the west today. To adopt the language of our roots and the global majority, with that of the country in which we live, is a reminder of the cultural hybrids that all of us are.”
Another key Dowdelin band member is French-Guadalupean drummer, saxophonist and bandleader Raphaël Philibert.
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.