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Seville was once again blessed with sun on this, the second day of Womex 2003. And despite the almost irresistible urge to lizard around the city, our diligent delegates were back for business filling the FIBES with a happy hum of meetings and greetings. Yet the Womex is not just a question of business during the day, showcases at night. There are also a myriad of conferences organised, in which the guest speakers reflect on a variety of current issues linked to world music. Such as ‘Cultural Boycott – Of any use ?’, the subject of Freemuse’s Ole Reitov’s talk and Michel Elefteriades who presented his view of ‘Being a music label in Arab countries’, just two on offer today. |
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The day’s affairs over and the typical tapas consumed, Womexers headed once again for El Palenque, probably with a couple more layers on than last night, ready for the chilly evening air. The first group, Elbicho with their flamenco fusion from Spain, set the scene for the majority of the showcases of the evening – loud and alternative. Well known in the region, they had attracted numerous fans who left us in no doubt about the lead singer’s cult status (his exhibitionist antics a stage gimmick that luckily didn’t mask the musical innovation and talent of his musicians). Following ‘The Beast’s (Elbicho) testosterone overdose, it was the turn of a couple of female acts. On the one hand singer-songwriter from Havana, Yusa and on the other, the blues-funk-trad sound from Mauritania’s Malouma. Just time to catch our breaths before the awesome onslaught of legendary Nação Zumbi. The founding fathers of the Mangue Beat generation from Recife in the North East of Brazil gave a bone-shaking performance of their furious fusion of ancient Maracatu rhythms rock, hip hop and funk vibes. Spanish rock band Amparanoia were next on, doing a good job filling in for Diego ‘El Cigala’ & Bebo Valdes who had cancelled at the last minute, a loss sorely felt by many. But at the other end of the venue, Sidi Goma from the Gujarat region of India were possibly the best and most surprising discovery for Womexers here to see something new. A black tribe of Sufi fakirs wearing peacock feather skirts and breaking coconuts on their heads, their trance-inducing music and dances are enchanting rhythmic interpretations of prayers. Manecas Costa from Guinea-Bissau and his gumbe music took centre stage before the Afro-Beat groove of Weird MC’s band, backing her hard-hitting rap in a truly masterful stage act from this protégé of Femi and Lágbájá. The beautiful ‘saudade’ of Teofilo Chantre (Capo Verde’s favourite songwriter and somewhat of a household name to many world music enthusiasts) left no-one cold, before the salsa funk of Venezuela’s hugely popular boys band Guaco got the assembly onto their feet and counting un-dos-tres. DJ Dolores, this time going it alone without his Orchestra Santa Massa, rounded off the night with a skilful DJ set of electro-latino. |
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