Sixun + more European fusion

[jtallent]

I was listening to one of my Sixun albums today and a thought crossed my mind ... Is Sixun still playing? I can't find a website or anything remotely new. It doesn't help that except for "Lunatic Taxi" there were few (if any) US releases. I thought I heard they did some sort of reunion tour a while ago but what an absolute shame if they are no more and never to be again.

For anyone who hasn't head of them ... check 'em out RIGHT NOW! Great European/French/African influenced fusion. Fabulous. Although good, the YouTube videos don't do them justice. Try to find some album cuts. "Un week-end chez René" off of the album "Nouvelle vague" is a pretty good one. A teaser ... http://www.zshare.net/audio/11989488605279b7/

This brings me to my next question, can anyone think of any other bands that are European/African fusion or at least strongly influenced? I simply need some new music to get into and was diggin' Sixun too much today to keep it to myself ... and thought others would be interested too.

[MixBass]

I'm not sure if Sixun is still hittin but Alibo is on a beautiful record "Dounia", by Mokhtar Samba,sharing bass duties with Lilnley Marthe. You probably know of Ultramarine w/ Etienne M'Bappe, if not search em out. Also Nguyen Le had a record "Maghreb and friends" that was really good w/ Alibo on it. Good stuff!

[JimK]

I have Lunatic Taxi...haven't played it in years...IIRC, it reminded me of Weather Report's world beat material. Some of Joe Zawinul's later/post-Weather Report/Update solo releases have that flavour (Etienne M'Bappe may even have played bass on some of these albums).

Someone here once hipped me to a Turkish Fusion band-
Laco Tayfa. Their bassist has chops to the nth degree.

Something 'different', though ethnic-sounding, is The Hasidic New Wave.
I would also suggest checking out Midrash Mish Mosh by Aaron Alexander (drummer for HSN).

[jerry]

I'm a big Alibo fan! I think they are still doing it, I picked up a DVD last year that smokes! There is a bit of a Zawinul connection, drummer Paco Sery played in some of Zawinul's bands, awesome drummer!

[jtallent]

Alibo is fabulous. It's too bad he doesn't get more noticed. Maybe it's hard for me to find info about him or Sixun since I'm using the normal Google search which I believe only searches English pages. With an advanced search I finally found a myspace page at
http://www.myspace.com/sixun
http://www.myspace.com/michelalibo

Nice call on Laco Tayfa ... Bassist definitely has some chops. Very cool Middle Eastern jazz vibe. I'll have to check out the rest when I get a minute.

[jerry]

Originally Posted by MixBass

Also Nguyen Le had a record "Maghreb and friends" that was really good w/ Alibo on it. Good stuff!

I have and love Nguyen Le's Purple album where Alibo shares bass duties with Meshell Ndegeocello, monster grooves! Terri Lyne Carrington produced and played drums on it, and her playing is also outstanding!!!
I'm going to look for the Maghreb CD.................

[jtallent]

Originally Posted by MixBass

... Also Nguyen Le had a record "Maghreb and friends" that was really good w/ Alibo on it. Good stuff!

Right on! Good stuff. I've got to find this CD somewhere. I found a couple of YouTube videos and I'm hooked.

[MixBass]

I forgot to mention another GREAT disc by Karim Ziad, Ifriyka, which is most of the same personel as the Maghreb band. He has a few more after that which are great too. There's plenty of groove food on them.

[jerry]

Originally Posted by MixBass

There's plenty of groove food on them.

Groove-Food.....I dig that!