“In recent concerts in Cameroon, I found the support and blessing of those who are most important to me. They have given me the force I need to pursue my musical project.” Etienne MBAPPE.
Etienne Mbappé has developed his music over the years with a humility and an openness to influences that go from traditional music through jazz to pop. His first album “MISIYA” reveals a singer whose voice is smooth and deep, and whose music transcends the frontiers between African music and pop. An outstanding songwriter,
Mbappé develops ethnic pop with sophisticated and inventive arrangements, and blend his African roots with diverse musical influences. His music constitutes a unique fusion between traditional Cameroonian rhythms (Makossa, Bolobo, Sékélé.) and more modern music, with an everpresent baritone sax with free-jazz influences, saturated rock guitar or an Arab-Andalusian violin in homage to Lounès MATOUB.
In his mother tongue, Douala (a Cameroonian dialect), he sings of love, of friendships, of his son’s eyes… He composes odes to life and to his native land. We hear him sing sad, sensual ballads to the accompaniment of the guitar and the cello and then more upbeat songs that show his unique feel for dance rhythms.
Etienne Mbappé Lead And Background Vocals, Basse.
J-C “Mbutu” Maillard Electric And Acoustic Guitars, Saz
Roger “Kemp” Biwandu Drums
Lionel “Lion” Fortin Keyboards
Herve “Le Kian” Gourdikian Saxophones
Gerard “Gege’’ Carocci Percussions
Constance “Coco’’ Mbassi Background Vocals
Sylvia “Sissi” Laubé Background Vocals
Christophe Cravero Violin
Sebastien Guillaume Violin
Alexandra Cravero Viola
Valentine “Titine” Duteil Cello
Jean Wellers Double Bass
Felix Sabal Lecco Programming
Guests
Mokhtar Samba
Boddy James Nguime
Andy Narell
Miguel Sanchez
Recorded at studio Juno, Yerres, France, by Bertrand FRESEL, second engineer
Manu DESGUEZ, assistant Eric “Rico” PAULIN
Mastering at studio La Source Mastering, Paris, France, by Jean-Pierre CHALBOS
