Originating in the United States with James Brown and George Clinton and amplified by Prince’s early electronic productions and the syncretic rhythms of Fela Kuti, funk found fertile ground in France through groups and artists such as Juan Rozoff, the Fédération Française du Funk, and General Elektriks. A style that is by turns dense and hybrid (in the late 1970s, the British band Gang of Four heavily infused their post-punk slogans with groovy basslines), this syncopated, danceable genre found its undisputed godfathers here in the Malka Family.

Renowned for its wild jams, the Parisian tribe lets loose on the stage of the Petite Halle de la Villette. Fueled by the dazzling Afro-futuristic brilliance of Parliament-Funkadelic, the impressive collective kicks things off with a solid, tasteful theme. Interwoven with conga, keyboard, and brass solos, the group takes the opportunity to pay tribute to various names on the international scene, including the great American vibraphonist Roy Ayers, the visionaries Sly and the Family Stone, and even the Beatles. Carried by lush backing vocals and a charismatic lead singer, the group exudes nonstop energy, as evidenced by the anthem “Tous des Oufs,” named after a track from their extensive discography…