Les Nubians One Step Forward CD

Principally recorded at Twin, Paris, France; La Ka, Marseille, France; Electric Lady Studios, New York, New York; Sony Music Studios, London, England.

"J'veux D'la Musique" was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.

Five years in the making but well worth the wait, the follow-up to 1998's PRINCESSES NUBIENNES finds French/Cameroon sisters Helene and Celia Faussart taking ONE STEP FORWARD with a collection of songs fusing elements of African and Western music. In keeping with the pride they have in their heritage, these siblings deliver most of the songs in French, and use jazz as a base reference, but with a heavier emphasis on hip-hop, reggae and R&B. Typical is the sensual jam "J'veux d'La Musique" with its Afro-Cuban piano runs, English snippets, and chugging rhythms that beg for dance-floor acknowledgment.

Among the guests aiding Les Nubians in achieving a diverse musical worldview are Rastafarian family collective Morgan Heritage, who deliver the goods on the Wailers-flavored "Brothers & Sisters," and alt-rapper Talib Kweli, whose rhymes enhance the irresistible "Temperature Rising" (which also finds Cameroonian countryman Manu Dibango kicking in on marimba). From Brazilian-inspired workouts like the ethereal "Saravah" and more upbeat "Que Le Mot Soit Perle" to the equally moving trip-hoppish "Insomnie," ONE STEP FORWARD finds Les Nubians successfully defining their sound for the 21st Century.

Additional personnel includes: Richard Bona (vocals, bass); Souleeymane Diamanka (vocals); Talib Kweli (rap vocals); Ray Lema (piano, keyboards); Manu Dibango (marimba).

Full In French & English.Feat. Talib Kweli,Manu Dibango +

Producers include: Mounir Belkhir, I.G. Culture, T. Kae, Jean M'Ba, Les Nubians.

Personnel: Morgan Heritage, Richard Bona (vocals); Talib Kweli (rap vocals); Alberto D'Ascola (guitar, background vocals); Xavier Derouin (guitar); Popolipo (electric guitar); Christophe Morin (cello, strings); Christophe Briquet, Sébastien Levy, Philippe Nadal, Bertrand Cervera, Karen Brunon (strings); Finn Peters, Frederic Couderc (flute); Philippe Henry, Nicolas Gueret (brass, horns); Christophe Dutray (brass); Robert Mitchell (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Ray Lema (piano, keyboards); Mario Canonge (keyboards); Manu Dibango (marimba); Emmanuel Binet (double bass); Alessandro Sorisini (drums); Renaud DeGreef, Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan, Jacques Largent, Volker Sträter (percussion); Tkae Mendez (programming); IG Culture, Esta, Anouch Adjarian, Celia Faussart, Randy Matthews, Irène Tasambedo, Zaza, Helene Faussart, Marcia A. Escoffery (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Demus; Lee Hamblin.

Recording information: Electric Lady Studios, New York, NY; Geejam Studios, Jamaica; La Ka Studio, Marseille, France; Sony Music Studios, London, England; Twin Studios, Paris, France.

Photographer: Marc Baptiste.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Yvan Jego; Souleymane Diamanka; Morgan Heritage; Richard Bona.

Arrangers: Les Nubians; Benjamin Biolay.

Les Nubians: Helene Faussart, Celia Faussart (vocals).

Entertainment Weekly (4/04/03, p.100) - "...Intricate harmonies that sound lke an updated version of Sade's seductive soul mixed with the jazz-pop stylings of Swing Out Sister..." - Rating: B+
CMJ (03/24/03, p.9) - "...[Carries] the pair's smooth amalgamation of Jazz, Hip-Hop, World music and R&B to its next progressive step..."
Vibe (5/03, p.156) - 4 out of 5 - "...Les Nubians have recorded more than an album: They've created the sonic equivalent to a deep-tissue massage..."
Mojo (Publisher) (5/03, p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...[With] an organic sound, pulling sophisticated Parisian pop, West African rhythm, and Jamaican reggae into a compelling blend of 21st century world music..."