I Am Somebody Vol.1 — Festival du Film Panafricain

Release: May 2nd 2008

Track 01: Muna Mingole - Africa

Muna signifies " Child" in duala. Born in Paris, France, Muna Mingole arrives in Canada at age 2 with her family. In 1985, she discovers Cameroon, her parent's native land where she lives for 8 years and gets acquainted with her ancestor's village, Malimba, a beautiful island. Blue, symbol of water, characterizes values of hope, communication, courage and perseverance, and like her ancestors, Muna shares theses values and transposes them into her songs. Muna is without a doubt the "Blue Fire" of Cameroon!

Track 02: Samputu & Ingeli - He made us one

Jean Paul Samputu has established himself as one of the most prominent African artists on the world stage. A winner of the prestigious Kora Award (the "African Grammy") in 2003, Samputu travels the world as a cultural ambassador for Rwanda, bringing to his audiences not only traditional African singing, dancing, and drumming, but alsoa message of peace and reconciliation. A survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, Samputu takes us to the most positive place of humanity through his spirit and graciousness. More than a talented and inspiring musician, Samputu is a model for anyone who wants to make a difference in this world today.

Track 03: Aimee Allen - Femme d’Ebene

Aimee Allen’s intimate connection with music began as a child. Her childhood was quite literally scored with classic jazz, because of her mother's intense love of the music. At Yale University Aimee was an active member and soloist with two a cappella singing groups performing a jazz repertoire. After graduation, Aimee lived in Paris and performed regularly in clubs and at music festivals. The intense relationship between the francophone audience in Paris and Brazilian bossa nova, long one of Aimee’s musical loves, led Aimee to form a group dedicated to bossa and jazz.

Track 04: Ngalula Mabudi - Wamulega

Ngalula Mabudi is a talented young vocalist originally from the DR of Congo who currently resides in Canada where she records her original compositions with the assistance of talented musicians and producers form her adoptive home. She is currently recording demos for her first upcoming album in her native dialect Swahili which is spoken in the Eastern parts of the Congo.

Track 05: Zifa - Mother

Mikael Zifa Eriksson, singer and songwriter, grew up in the small village of Semendua in Central Africa. Zifa spent the first 16 years of his life in the Democratic Republic of Congo where his participation in choir singing and drumming influenced Zifa´s stylized song writing. In 1997 he formed his band in Stockholm, Sweden. With three CD-album releases, two on Universal; The last dog in 1997, Right as rain in 1999, and the third released independently, Zifa has captured a wide Swedish audience.

Track 06: Clara Kessous - Liberte

Guila Clara Kessous has taught, acted, directed and produced in Paris, Avignon, New York and Boston. After taking an MBA in cultural business and a Master's in comparative dramatic literature.She has taught at Boston University, The French Library Alliance Française of Boston and at Harvard University. Last year, she organized a celebration of the 50-anniversary of Paul Claudel's death at Harvard University and performed "L'Echange" at the Avignon Theatre Festival. Most recently, she performed and directed the play Hilda, a work addressing modern slavery, at the International School of United Nations. This performance received the support of the prestigious American Society of The French Legion of Honor and of UNESCO in Paris. She recently received the highest honor in drama last January 2006 given by the French Ministry of culture: the State Diploma in Performing Arts.... and beside all these she sings like an angel.

Track 07: Mr. Reo - Fanm Ayisien

Mr. REO, the consummate Haitian via Brooklyn rapper, uses his style to reflect his roots more than any grim urban reality. Born as Marlon Mayala in Flatbush section of Brooklyn, REO took up drums in grammar school before discovering rhyming at the tender age of 11. Being the son of a Kompa musician, the rapper grew up listening to and appreciating music.

Transitioning between edgy and laid-back, REO claims many influences old school and new. KRS-One, Rakim, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Scarface, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z have all played a part influencing his style. He's also heavily influenced by the dancehall reggae he heard pouring out of the houses in his neighborhood. "I grew up with it. It's a predominately Caribbean community."

Track 08: Galaxy - Seifu

The indigenous Senegalese pop music called mbalax was well known in Finland long before Youssou Ndour and Baaba Maal made it world famous. This is especially due to the enthusiastic work of the Finnish musicians Sakari Kukko and Hasse Walli, who both visited Senegal decades ago and wanted everyone to hear the music that inspired them tremendously. Hasse Walli visited Senegal several times, and his life with and around Senegalese music continues even today. In the end of the 80's and the beginning of the 90's he organized two remarkable Asamaan line ups with Senegalese musicians. When Asamaan - at that time - became history, some of the musicians stayed in Finland and formed a new band Galaxy, in 1992 to continue the tradition of the best quality mbalax.

Track 09: Taj Weekes & Adowa - For today

Taj Weekes & Adowa present a brand new experience in classic roots reggae. With wry trenchant lyrics, a haunting dusky quiver in his voice and the knock-down sound of his band Adowa, Taj has managed to weave a rare social consciousness with an unforgettable reggae groove.

10: A. N. Konda feat. Living Color - I Am Somebody

Alain Nkossi Konda is a very gifted singer/songwriter originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. At a tender age he went to the US with his diplomat father who was then working for the United Nations Development Program. “Matters of the heart” which is previously unreleased is featured on Nkossi long awaited 3rd album titled “Visions of Africa-Pella”. Matters of the heart was Produced by 2 times Grammy Award Winning Producer GORDON WILLIAMS. In 1999 Nkossi was the first Artists signed by HARRY BELAFONTE for his label NIGER Records/ Palm Pictures in Partnership with Island Records founder CHRIS BLACKWELL.

Track 11: Deborah Bellevy - Ave Maria

Deoborah Bellevy is a classical vocalist and voice teacher who resides in the Cannes Region of France. she can be seen performing locally for "Special events" and Benefit concerts. Her 5 song EP was recorded at Mastermixstudio in Unterföhring Germany and Produced by A.N.Konda & Stefan Gienger. Her EP will be shortly available in France.

Track 12: Joshua Lebofsky - The Briss

Joshua Lebofsky studied alto saxophone in high school. Began playing in basement RocknRoll bands as a singer , keyboardist and saxophonist.Joshua played with a gazillion bands in a myriad of styles from progressive jazz, to bebop, funk bands, pop bands, choral ensembles,country music and world-beat bands. It is a fusion of World-beat percussion and vocal styles, which we call Culture Pop.

Track 13: Stefan Gienger - Part of it

Stefan Gienger is a very gifted songwriter,arranger, pianist, vocalist, professional audio & mastering engineer . The young gentlemen is the new owner of the Legendary MasterMixStudio which is located in unterföhring near Munich. Though he specializes primarely in the production of Schlager Music in collaboration with the Jack White, he has been making his presence felt on the International scene with collaborations with numerous "World Music" Artists. A full lengh Album of his materials will be available in 2009.

Track 14: Jojo Kuo - Celebrate

Joseph “JoJo” Kuo, a very sought after Drummer/Producer who has performed and produced around the world with such acts as MANU DIBANGO, FELA, HERBIE HANCOCK, PETER GABRIEL, PAPA WEMBA and MORY KANTE. This track, taken from his solo debut album titled No Kelen Kelen, features an all-star cast including bassist Bakithi Kumalo of Paul Simon and Charlie DeChant of Hall & Oates among others - definitive Afro-Beat by one of Africa's veteran pop drummers.