Michel Alibo

Rick Moors · #1 10-05-2009, 07:08 PM

Hi, I'm a newbie here, and perused the rules before posting, so hopefully I put this in the right place.

I did a forum search for Michel Alibo and came up with zip. Is it possible that he is unknown here? He's a bass player from the island of Martinique, who picked up a bass at age 15. By the time he was 16 he was offered a year tour with African Funk legend Manu Dibango. At 18 he began his illustrious recording career in Paris, playing on over 300 African and Caribbean records. I first heard him on on the incredible Salif Keita album "Soro." When I found out he was 19 I was stunned. At that age he sounded like an African Jamerson.

To date he may still be the busiest session bassist in Paris. Check him out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F9ZiTONWKc
http://www.myspace.com/michelalibo

I'm glad I found this great group, thanks!

http://www.thebonedaddys.com
http://www.conjuntojardin.com
http://www.myspace.com/rickmoorsmusic

MixBass · #2 10-05-2009, 08:50 PM

Hey, welcome!
There are some here who know and appreciate Alibos work. Have you heard the Meddy Gerville disc "Fo kronm la vi"? It's his most recent and Alibo is on the whole thing. It is groovin big time with tons of 3 and enough rhythm food to last a long time.
Cheers!

jerry · #3 10-05-2009, 08:58 PM

I love his playing and I am a huge Sixun fan. Some of my favorite recent playing my Michel is on Nguyen Le's 'Purple' album, him and Terri Lyne Carrington just smoke together!

Rick Moors · #4 10-05-2009, 09:09 PM

Hey, thanks for the suggestions, and the welcome, cool!

Yeah, very few bassists, even the African ones have a handle on the 6/8 like Alibo.

Rick Moors · #5 10-05-2009, 09:57 PM

MixBass, thanks so much for the tip on Meddy Gerville! I'm gonna have to rush right out and get this one.

Here's a great live clip with him and Alibo. This song is a virtual clinic on the different ways to cut up 6/8, wow. It looks like he's using the same old Jazz bass I saw him with on an Ali Baba album in the early 80's when he was still a kid, wow what a bass sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMkcYSTS-J4

MixBass · #6 10-06-2009, 12:09 PM

Very cool! That clip tells me there's probably another record in the works. Most of that is not on the Fo disc. I think that's quite a few different tunes edited together quite well. The first thing I recognized was around 6 mins in. And yes this band cuts up 3 and 6 like an octopus wearing ginsu knives!
One of the things I really find interesting about the disc is how the piano is playing many of the African type parts. It's not that common to hear piano copping the rhythm parts like he does. Seeing him pick up the "shaker box" in the vid gives a hint to his commitment to the groove element. Another thing about the disc is while having a foot in the "jazz" camp, it never loses sight of those grooves.
Another MUST have is Mokhtar Samba's "Dounia". I believe Alibo is on it and Linley Marthe is tearing it up. Cheers!

Rick Moors · #7 10-06-2009, 10:07 PM

Thanks again Mixbass for those tips. I see you're in the South Bay - I have a Reggae gig at Naja's at Redondo Pier 1st, 3rd, and 4th Saturdays of every month with Urban Dread from 3-7. Stop by sometime, I owe you a beer at the very least!

MixBass · #8 10-07-2009, 11:42 AM

Thanks for the offer Rick, I'll stop by sometime! I also would like to see the Bonedaddys again and see you're playing with them. The last time I saw them was with Simeon, I guess that's been a while now... That must be a fun gig playing those afro/juju grooves.
I'll pm you my email and maybe you could put me on your mailer eh...Cheers!