Echoed by Manu Dibango, the pioneer of world sound in the 1970s, and later by Les Têtes Brûlées, the rock-infused bikutsi band from Yaoundé, the Cameroonian repertoire has grown richer over the years, as Blick Bassy points out. A refined melodist and arranger, Bassy made a strong impression in 2019 with _1958_, a work inspired by the life of independence leader Ruben Um Nyobé. A multi-talented artist (he is also a published author), the composer extends his musical vision through projects like the collective Roseaux, alongside Ben l’Oncle Soul and Melissa Laveaux, or through collaborations with British singer Piers Faccini, with whom he recorded a beautiful single.
Delicate and restrained, “Bissai” opens this new Analogue session. With its winding verses and powerful chorus, the track perfectly encapsulates Bassy’s sonic world. Meanwhile, “Loba” skillfully mirrors the prevailing Afro-futurist vibe, a mood enhanced by visual cues such as posters of the legendary ARP synthesizer and the beloved robot R2-D2.
The high point, however, comes with a surprising cover of Francis Cabrel. Far from the French singer’s languid tone, the African artist transforms the ballad _Petite Marie_ into a dreamlike version. Distinctive and atmospheric, this rendition, adorned with airy, cottony keyboards, fits Blick Bassy like a glove, to the point of making one forget the original and its folk roots.