Browse by Label: FOLLOW ME (FRANCE)

Artist:	GHETTO BLASTER
Title:	People
Label:	FOLLOW ME (FRANCE)
Format:	LP
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	FM 108LP

"Whether in New York or Lagos, ghetto blasters/portable stereo systems are the heart and lungs which give rhythm to the streets. The story of Ghetto Blaster started in 1982 when two French musicians back from New York decided to go to Lagos to shoot a film telling the story of a meeting between African and European artists. Despite a journey full of setbacks, which forced them to sell almost all their possessions including their car, they reached Lagos where they formed a group called Ghetto Blaster. Some of the musicians of Ghetto Blaster came from the Fela and Sony Okossun's bands. Their music reflected their ambitions: funk with a Nigerian twist and furious afro beat saxophone sound. In 84 they signed with Island for an EP. They toured with James Brown, Archie Shepp, Manu Dibango and Fela. After years of work they released their LP People in 1986 which gained the group a wider audience. Due to tragic events the group separated, but it is now reforming (a new album is coming up for 2002.)"

Artist:	VA
Title:	Revolucion: The Chicano's Spirit
Label:	FOLLOW ME (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	FM 109CD

"A new aspect of Latin grooves explored by Follow Me: In the USA, music made by the Latinos was often put into the shade of the ghettos. In the 50's and 60's many Latin music groups were hiding their real identity behind English names and singing rock'n roll with English lyrics. Therefore the birth of truly Latin rock was a real innovation." Artists include: El Chicano, Sapo, Coke Escovedo, Caceres, Malon, Azteca, Tierra, Flash and the Dinamics, Massada.

Artist:	GUEM
Title:	Live a l'Elysée Montmartre
Label:	FOLLOW ME (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	FM 113CD

"Guem is a phenomenal African percussionist who came to France when he was 16 to become a professional football player. Instead of this he introduced his crazy African rhythmical patterns to the European avant garde jazz scene of the 70's (Michel Portal, Steve Lacy...). He also released 7 solo albums mostly on French ethnic musIc label La Chant Du Monde. During his career which started 25 years ago he has been experimenting with all types of rhythms and sounds. For example he recorded an album in Brazil in 82 with local percussionists (available on vinyl LP). It would be meaningless to award him best percussionist of the world, but he is certainly one of the most creative ones. It is pointless to insist on his technical abilities: Guem's great talent is his melodic / compositor approach of percussions. Some of his compositions have been widely used in TV Ad spots in France! Due to his knowledge of all types of percussions and rhythms (his dad is Nigerian and mom is Algerian) he does very rich arrangements and compositions. This album underlines this side of his talent: on stage he plays his compositions with 7 other percussionist, 2 female dancers and 2 male breakdancers."

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