Duo Souleance takes you to Brazil and Reunion Island on the album “Beautiful”. From the new recordings you can hear French and the sampled voice of Caetano Veloso.
Souleance is the result of the partnership between producer Fulgeance and DJ Soulist of What The Funk. Fulgeance has been building a reputation in the beats scene with his awesome releases on the French label Musique Large. Leading and managing several projects (Peter Digital Orchestra and Connecticut), this talented producer and remixer is well known for his devastating beats and stunning live performances. Focused on hypnotic and electronic Hip Hop, Fulgeance subtly mixes his influences to create his signature “Low Club” groove, (Low Club Anthem being the lead track on his last Musique Large EP).
Soulist, the French funky president, is the founder and resident DJ of Paris’ clubnight What the Funk, which recently celebrated its sixth birthday. A man with an obsession for Disco, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop and Latin, he’s shared a stage with some of the biggest names in the worldwide scene including Cut Chemist, Keb Darge, DJ Vadim, Quantic and others.
At the end of the album “Beautiful” there is a curious excerpt from an interview with jazz icon Charles Mingus. It cannot be overlooked that Souleance have a warped sense of humour. In the studio, however, these Frenchmen are far more harmonious than Charles Mingus.
Their career together began in 2009 with the “Le Monde” EP, followed by other albums and EPs featuring mostly instrumental beat collages between hip hop, funk and disco. On the album “Beautiful”, Souleance expanded their musical spectrum and collaborated with various singers and as writers of individual songs.
The way to the song
There are opaque inspirations from the past on the new album: on the opening track “Douce”, you can hear both clapping and choral vocals, on the dance tracks “La fête” and “Feliz” the pair veer towards disco house, and the playful bass line on “Rhapsody” is reminiscent of Daft Punk’s early work.
On “Out Of Touch,” Souleance collaborate with British duo Kit Sebastian, who play a blend of Turkish psychedelic rock and indie pop. Frontwoman Merve Erdem’s voice sounds on a hip hop backing combined with an oriental lute.
On “Lightweight,” Israeli singer Jenny Penkin sings with the assistance of quivering synthesizers and a funky boogie beat, her delivery evoking a dreamy disco diva.
Not only tropical disco
On the album “Beautiful” Souleance leave their comfort zone. In the track “Koul Dan Mon Do”, they explore the Sega, a musical genre played in the Seychelles, Réunion and Mauritius, which is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. They combine the singer Kaloune’s voice with an accordion loop and a triple rhythm to achieve a whole new groove. Drummer Cyril Atef aka Papatef, who has been active in experimental projects such as Pachibaba and Bumcello, also lent a helping hand.
Love for Brazil
The new album is also inspired by Brazilian music. The track “Cultural” uses an excerpt from the song “Badeau” by Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, backed by a new bass line and a powerful percussion sound.
In the track “Mamãe não quer”, we hear a melancholic moment in which the guitar from the song “Canto de Ossanha” by Vinicius de Moraes and Baden Powell is used. In it, Brazilian singer João Selva sings about the advice his mother gave him.
With “Beautiful”, Souleance proved that they can make more than just music from samples. Their songs can convince with sophisticated arrangements, the joy of making music and rhythms that make you dance.
NMR (photo: Souleance)
