#SessionLive in the feminine plural with two Caribbean artists with the Trinidadian Queen Omega, a true icon of reggae-dancehall and the Haitian voodoo priestess Moonlight Benjamin.
Our 1time guest is Queen Omega, on the occasion of the release of Freedom Legacy #trinidadytobago #dancehall
Queen Omegareal name Jeneile Osborne, was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean island north of Venezuela.
Encouraged by her mother, Queen started performing in talent shows at the age of 9, writing her own Calypso sounds, and rapping on national television networks.
A few years later, she sang in backing vocals for a local producer named Kenny Phillips, which enabled her to accompany many of Trinidad’s top Soca artists on stage and in the studio.
Raised in a family of music lovers and musicians, she grew up listening to soul artists like Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker and Whitney Houston, but also jazz and traditional music from her native island. Foundations which have a primordial influence in her future career as a singer, even if growing up her favorite styles become reggae and dancehall.
After her encounter with the Rastafari religion, and the teachings of Emperor Haile Selassie I, her talent as a songwriter shifted towards more realistic themes about the modern world and her origins as an African descendant.
In the late 2000s, during a trip to Jamaica during her performance with the group Solomon at the Caribbean Music Expo festival, she met producer Mickey D. The latter invited her to London, years later, with the aim of doing studio and live sessions. From this trip, will be born his first album Queen Omega. It will be followed by several hits, and another album called Pure Love. In early 2004, his album Away from Babylon, Queen Omega’s third and most accomplished album, was released by Jet Star. At that time, she still resided within Mickey D’s Green House family. With her three albums, and several very fine live performances, Queen Omega opened the door to female roots reggae artists. With the musical accompaniment of very talented French producers Bost & Bim & Special Delivery Music, the quality of his vocal power becomes obvious and above all essential. She mixes both singing and toasting in deejay style. In 2023, Queen Omega returns with a new album Freedom Legacy.
Titles performed at the big studio
– Goodness Live RFI see clip RFI Videos
-Oneness (Feat. Julian Marley + Yaniss Odua), excerpt from the album Freedom Legacy
– Lioness Live RFI see RFI Videos clip.
Line Up: Queen Omegavoice, Thomas Broussard, guitar, Sandra Oujagirfirst chorister, Linda Reysecond backing vocalist & Thomas Join-Lambertpercussion.
Sound: Benoît Letirant, Jérémie Besset.
► Album Freedom Legacy (Baco Music 2023).
Then we receive the Haitian artist Moonlight Benjamin for the release of the album Wayo #haiti #blues #voodoo
Long-time favorite of Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) and Iggy Pop, the Haitian voodoo priestess Moonlight Benjamin explore in Wayo the roots of blues and rock. Carried by a deeper and darker sound and by the unique voice of Moonlight, influenced by Alabama Shakes, Oumou Sangaré, and Dr John, the album Wayo is a primal cry, a mystifying and mystical musical mixture, almost shamanic, a liberating incantation between angry guitars, powerful voice and propelling drums.
Moonlight Benjamin’s third album, Wayo, is a haunting “cry of pain” that showcases her thundering vocals and lyrical themes about faith, energy, and our connection to source. The eleven titles of the voodoo priestess of Haiti immerse her philosophical messages in a heavy and devastating blues, murderous riffs and slamming percussions, mixing influences as distant as Dr John, Oumou Sangaré and Alabama Shakes.
After his exhilarating first album, Siltaniumfollowed in 2020 by the explosive Simido, Moonlight Benjamin returns with Wayo, a disc impregnated with blues and a real whirlwind with rock accents. Alongside his longtime collaborator Matthis Pascaud, Wayo marries the electrifying voice of Moonlight with the saturated guitar riffs of Pascaud. This time, producer and percussionist Raphaël Chassin (known for his work with Joon Moon, Hugh Coltman, Vanessa Paradis and Salif Keita) brings a new twist to the album’s rhythmic presence.
Wayo translates into Haitian Creole as “cry of pain”, just like the blues, born of resilience in the face of adversity, the songs on this album are powerful, cathartic and intense. ” One must ask for help from a spiritual guide when life is at an impasse and one no longer faces it. “.
His musical mix, often compared to the work of the Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys or Angélique Kidjo – earned him international recognition. On a world tour, Moonlight was recently spotted by the famous Tiny desk who offered him to interpret the title Wayo.
Until now, Moonlight Benjamin’s muse has been her native land, the island of Haiti in the Caribbean; but on Wayothe voodoo priestess changes her tune: There are always a few songs about Haiti, of course, but the writing, the story, the common thread of this album is more universal. It deals more with the philosophical side of things… Our grounding, our connection to source. »
Born to Voodoo parents in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Moonlight spent her childhood in a Roman Catholic orphanage where she was adopted by Reverend Doucet Alvarez after her own mother died in childbirth. Raised in gospel, it was not until her late teens that she began to explore her voodoo roots, before leaving Haiti in 2002 to begin jazz training in France. It was in 2017 that Moonlight met the artistic director and guitarist, Matthis Pascaudthe collaboration from which this unique and volcanic sound was born.
The musical style born of this collaboration has evolved a lot over time. Siltanium, composed in French and Creole, alternated the setting up of a classic rock band with traditional drums and stripped-down voodoo-inspired vocals; Simido removed the assortment of styles, focusing on the winning formula of Moonlight’s signature Creole voice over hard-core rock. With Wayoshe explores a deeper sound, going back to the roots of rock: the blues.
Songs performed in the studio
– Baphon, Live RFI
-Freedom Firefrom the album Wayo
– Top upLive RFI.
Line Up: Moonlight Benjaminsinging, Matthis Pascaudguitar, Matthieu Vial-Colletguitar, Quentin Rochasbass and Simon Lemonnierbattery.
Sound: Benoît Letirant, Mathias Taylor.
► Album Wayo (My Case Prod 2023).