Brazzaville — Welcome To Brazzaville

It's safe to say that Brazzaville's first three albums went by virtually unnoticed by a large group of potential fans. Trey Spruance (Secret Chiefs 3, Asva) decided to help spread the word by releasing this compilation on his Mimicry-label.

David Brown, main member of Brazzaville states in a manifesto on the bandsite: “Brazzaville is dedicated to the naïve idea that the world is a beautiful place filled with wonder. We believe that there is another reality, just below the surface of our waking world, in which all is well. This is the true reality for us. We are committed to becoming less afraid of the world around us by helping others whenever possible. We love playing music and we dream of having a ship that runs on waste oil so that we may travel the seven seas making new friends and eating salted cod and mangosteen.” Romantic, indeed. The music suits the intent, it's laid-back, smooth and it has worldly allure.

To give you an idea of what Brazzaville sounds like, let's take opening song Super Gizi. It combines delicate electric piano, a soothing voice, a more rocking bridge but also middle-Eastern percussion which all melds into a wonderful mix which takes you to hot summernights in exotic places. One time you're in a Motel Room and a few tracks later you walk the streets of Genoa in the middle of the night. Then through the Sewers Of Bangkok only to be woken up at 4 AM Osaka from distorted guitars. This is “world music” in the true sense of the term, it feels like the soundtrack to travel.

Don't let yourself be deceived by the warm snugness of these sounds. It's not “all good”, underneath all these generally pleasant sounds there usually is a more serious message. Apart from, of course, lovesongs, there's drugs and the struggle in the shadows of globalisation.

Welcome To Brazzaville is a nice way to get acquainted by this collective and if you enjoyed the stay: they also released a new regular CD Hastings Street.