Bill Bragin, director, public programming, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, NYC; co-director, globalFEST
What WOMEX showcase artist discoveries stood out for you?
1. Staff Benda Bilili – I’d been a fan of their record and their personal stories are so compelling, but the sets at the Awards ceremony and at Global night club completely transcended expectations. They are a kick-ass dance band and infectious performers. I loved their homemade instruments, especially the heavily distorted, single-string, tin can lead “Santonge.”
2. Bomba Estereo – off-off-WOMEX, also at Global – This was my second time seeing this Colombian band, and they were even better this time, adding a layer of psychedelic fuzz over the digital cumbia and champeta, flipping rhythms effortlessly. Liliana is an incredibly charismatic frontperson.
3. Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole – Also not a brand new discovery – I had seen him at Festival International in Lafayette, and we selected him to showcase at globalFEST, but it was very impressive to see him playing in front of a non-hometown crowd. He’s a terrific accordionist, and even better fiddler, with a cool, slightly sly stage presence that is balanced by the heat of his rubboard player, Zydeco Mike. One of the only sets I watched more or less in its entirety.
4. Chocquibtown – Colombian music made a strong impression for the second year in a row. I was impressed by the confidence of their stagecraft – they had the crowd in their hands from note one, exuding star-power.
What CDs did you take from WOMEX that are you most excited about?
I generally come home with about 100 Cd’s, so it’s hard to pick which I’m most excited about, since it takes a while to go through them all. But here are a few early standouts:
1. Analog Africa’s Legends of Benin compilation, as well as Orchestre Poly-rythmo de Cotonou…Analog Africa’s closing night Dj set was also a revelation – incredibly funky vintage grooves, and these two records show off their taste and the success of their global crate-digging.
2. King Coya – Cumbias de Villadonde – I was introduced to Buenos Aires’ ZZK Records at the previous WOMEX and have been loving the King Coya remix of Petrona Martinez from an earlier label compilation. The full album is strong with a mix of electro cumbia, hip-hop and roots influences.
What else spurred your thinking while at a WOMEX?
Cultivating the fan relationships is really the key to emerging artists becoming successful.
