#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. (Rebroadcast)
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 began performing in talent shows at the age of 9, writing her own Calypso songs, and rapping on national television.
A few years later, she sang backing vocals for a local producer named Kenny Phillips, which allowed her to accompany many of Trinidad’s best Soca artists, on stage and in the studio.
Raised in a family of music lovers, 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 had a primordial influence in her future career as a singer, even if growing up her favorite styles became reggae and dancehall.
After her encounter with the Rastafari religion, and the teachings of Emperor Haile Selassie I, her talent as a song writer moved 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 sessions and live performances. From this trip, his first album will be born Queen Omega. It will be followed by several hits, and another album called Pure Love. At the beginning of 2004, his album Away from Babylon, Queen Omega’s third and most accomplished album, was released by Jet Star. At that time, she was still living within Mickey D’s Green House family. With her three albums, and several great 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 unavoidable. She mixes both singing and toasting deejay style. In 2023, Queen Omega returns with a new album Freedom Legacy.
Titles performed at the big studio
-Goodness Live RFI see RFI Videos clip
– Oneness (Feat. Julian Marley + Yaniss Odua), from the album Freedom Legacy
– Lioness Live RFI see RFI Videos clip.
Line Up: Queen Omegavoice, Thomas Broussard, guitar, Sandra Oujagirfirst chorister, Linda Reysecond singer & Thomas Join-Lambertpercussion.
Sound: Benoît Letirant, Jérémie Besset.
► Album Freedom Legacy (Baco Music 2023).
►Deezer Queen Omega: Freedom Legacy.
Then we welcome the Haitian artist Moonlight Benjamin for the release of the album Wayo #haiti #blues #voodoo
Longtime favorite of Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) and Iggy Pop, the Haitian Vodou priestess Moonlight Benjamin explore in Wayo the roots of blues and rock. Driven by a deeper, darker sound and Moonlight’s unique voice, 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 vocals and propulsive drums.
Moonlight Benjamin’s third album, Wayo, is a haunting “cry of pain” that showcases her thunderous vocals and lyrical themes of faith, energy, and our connection to source. The eleven titles of the priestess of Haitian vodou immerse her philosophical messages in heavy and devastating blues, killer riffs and slamming percussion, mixing influences as far away as Dr John, Oumou Sangaré and Alabama Shakes.
After his exhilarating first album, Siltanefollowed in 2020 by the explosive Simido, Moonlight Benjamin returns with Wayo, a record steeped in blues and a real whirlwind with rock accents. Alongside his long-time collaborator Matthis Pascaud, Wayo combines Moonlight’s electrifying vocals with Pascaud’s saturated guitar riffs. This time, producer and percussionist Raphaël Chassin (known for his work with Joon Moon, Hugh Coltman, Vanessa Paradis and Salif Keita) brings a new touch to the rhythmic presence of the album.
Wayo translates into Haitian Creole as “cry of pain”, just like the blues, born from resilience in the face of adversity, the songs on this album are powerful, cathartic and intense. “ You should ask for help from a spiritual guide when life has reached an impasse and you can no longer cope. “.
His musical mix, often compared to the work of the Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys or Angélique Kidjo – has earned him international recognition. On a world tour, Moonlight was recently spotted by the famous Tiny desk who suggested that he perform the title Wayo.
Until now, Moonlight Benjamin’s muse has been his native land, the island of Haiti in the Caribbean; but on Wayothe vodou priestess changes her tune: “ There are always a few songs about Haiti, of course, but the writing, the history, the common thread of this album is more universal. It deals more with the philosophical side of things… Our anchoring to the earth, our connection to the source. »
Born to Vodou 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 on gospel, it was only in her late teens that she began to explore her Vodou roots, before leaving Haiti in 2002 to begin training in jazz in France. It was in 2017 that Moonlight met the artistic director and guitarist, Mathis Pascaudthe collaboration from which this unique and volcanic sound was born.
The musical style born from this collaboration has evolved greatly over time. Siltane, composed in French and Creole, alternated the setting up of a classic rock band with traditional drums and stripped-down Vodou-inspired chants; Simido stripped away the assortment of styles, focusing on the winning formula of Moonlight’s signature Creole vocals over straight-up rock. With Wayoshe explores a deeper sound, going back to the roots of rock: the blues.
Tracks performed in the studio
– Bafon, Live RFI
-Freedom Firefrom the album Wayo
– Up the topLive RFI.
Line Up: Moonlight Benjaminsinging, Mathis Pascaudguitar, Matthieu Vial Colletguitar, Quentin Rochasbass and Simon Lemonnierbattery.
Sound: Benoît Letirant, Mathias Taylor.
► Album Wayo (Ma Case Prod 2023).