Afro-pop? French hip-hop? Jazz? World beat? Les Nubians defies description.
I first encountered the musically talented sister act back in 1999, when their single “Makeda” received airplay from urban adult contemporary stations. Instantly I became captivated by its infectious beat, sultry French lyrics, and its unique combination of jazz and hip hop (complete with old school record scratching). Subsequently, I purchased their album, Princesses Nubiennes, and it has been a favorite of mine ever since.
Born in France, sisters Helene and Celia Faussart moved with their parents to the African country of Chad. Subsequently, the family returned to France, where the teenage women seriously pursued musical careers. Citing influences as vast as Ella Fitzgerald, the Fugees, and Miriam Makeba, the duo released their debut, the aforementioned Princesses Nubiennes, in parts of Europe in 1998. The album surfaced in America in 1999, and “Makeda” propelled the sisters to moderate success. In fact, according to All Music and Les Nubians's MySpace page, their album became the most successful French-language album in recent history. While Les Nubians has continued to record overseas, their American success faded after that first album. Over a decade later, however, their debut still stands out with its integration of world sounds, jazz, and hip hop.
Highlights include “Désolée,” an eight-minute opus ranging from R&B to Indian which kicks off with a tabla-dominated beat (a type of Indian drum). The clever “Tabou” builds on Sade's “Sweetest Taboo” by adding saxophone, a stronger bass-laden drum pattern, and even a French rap break. While the Faussart sisters sing the majority of the lyrics in French, they harmonize in perfect English on the charming “Sugar Cane.” A popping bass punctuates "Sourire," combined with the sisters' lovely harmonies. While "Makeda" clearly was a killer single, the group should have capitalized on its success by releasing "Embrasse-Moi" as the follow-up. A perfect blend of hip-hop, jazz, and R&B, the song could have received airplay on urban contemporary stations. They did release "Les Portes Du Souvenir," a slow drum and bass-driven tune that nicely showcases their complementary vocals.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
this is a tremendous record, really...a shining counterexample to much of what has happened to commercial hip hop.
2 - Kit O'Toole
Thanks for commenting, Mark--I agree that hip hop should look in other directions. Clearly, combining world beats and hip hop can work!
3 - Mark Saleski
i pulled this cd out once in the car and the wife is looking at the photos of the women with "that" frown on her face (right, like i'll buy a cd just for the 'hotness factor')....after a few tunes she had to admit that they were pretty good.
i win!! ;-)
4 - Jordan Richardson
This is a great album by a terrific group. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it, Kit!
5 - Kit O'Toole
Thanks, Jordan--as I said, it's an album I listen to often. Mark--LOL!
6 - SerenityLife
A fantastic review to a group that I feel is being criminally underrated by the American audience. I've been jamming to their work since their first album. I think one thing that allowed them to stand out in the beginning of their career was their French rendition of Sade's Tabou. I know so many people melted when they heard French lyrics and sultry voices to a R&B standard.
If you are in the New York City this year, please try to see Celia of Les Nubians live at the Zinc Bar in the Village. She is fantastic live, very approachable and the environment is that of a French cabaret.