One of the best electric bassists in the world, Etienne Mbappe will mix Cameroonian rhythm with European beats to create an Afro-funk-world sound
One of the best electric bassists in the world, Etienne Mbappe will mix Cameroonian rhythm with European beats to create an Afro-funk-world sound
It is a truth universally acknowledged, at least in most music circles, that bass players don't always get the recognition they deserve. Etienne Mbappe would probably nod in agreement. A bassist from Cameroon, he has the kind of CV most musicians would kill for. Yet, ask the guy on the street about him and you'd probably get, "Does he play with Kanye West?"
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| Cameroon bassist Etienne Mbappe |
This is why Mbappe is on his way to India even as you read this to set the record straight. He should, considering that impressive CV he carries. Those in the know may recognise his work with the Zawinul Syndicate, created by Austrian jazz god Josef Erich Zawinul. The latter played with Miles Davis, helped create jazz fusion, co-founded the legendary Weather Report, and then introduced world music to jazz.
"I began to play the bass before knowing who Zawinul was," Mbappe says, via email. "Being a member of his band was exciting. He was pretty sad when I quit to build mine." What Mbappe built was two fusion bandsu00a0Ultramarine and Chic Hot while touring the world with other heavyweights like Salif Keita, the Orchestre National de Jazz and Michel Jonasz.
He also played on Ray Charles' last album in 2001. "It was like a dream to be in a studio, and share a delicious moment, with the genius," he remembers. "He said he was happy with the recording session, which was enough for me. Those moments you never expect are like gifts that life gives you."
As for Mbappe's brand of music, it fuses traditional Cameroonian rhythms with modern sensibilities. You can get a taste of it on his first solo album Misiya. "I have another album titled Su La Take," he adds. "I will play music from both. It's live, which means a lot of surprises."
This is his first trip to India, and Mbappe is excited. For him, the best thing about touring is bringing home some colours and flavours, while meeting different people. "The worst is sometimes waking up in the middle of the night without knowing where you are."
He isn't quite prepared for our best-selling music though. "I've seen some videos a lot of colour, dancing, dressing, goodlooking actors. It often sounds like drama or sad stories with happy endings." That sounds about right.
At: Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mills Compound, opposite Kamala Mills, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel.
Call: 40332300.
On: August 26 and 27, 9.30 pm. Rs 1,000 (standing), Rs 1,500 (pods)
