Page 4
November 3,1999
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“Les Nubians" sisters showcase and fuse the flava of
by
It was obvious that these
sisters were destined to create
musical ministry. From their
days spent performing as an a
cappella group and working
with bands, the soon to be
known “ Les Nubians" would
let their musical talents give
birth worldwide. Now known
as vocalist, performers, as well
as songwriters, they trusted
their instincts that their gift o f
writing original music and
th e ir sh a re d
lo v e o f
performing would eventually
lead them to recording their
owrt music. Helen stated so
herself, as she invited her
Portland fans into the reality
why she had no problem
c h o o sin g her r e a l lo v e;
“music ”... instead o f a selfish
lover that once asked her
during a past all night “love"
session o f writing and creating
her music, to either as she
says her ex-boyfriend stated
“ lo v e him o r leav e the
music...”
One doesn’t have to guess
which “love” won.
This declaration, as well as
other life changing decisions,
cemented and began to pave
the road for the now higher
ground that “Les Nubians” has
F elicia S lider
for
T he P ortland O bsekvbk
The union ofhip-hop and fusing
jazz, European and other music
genres is anything but new. But
as far as the sister duo “Les
N u b ian s” from B ordeaux,
France are concerned, they
don’t just borrow from jazz,
hip-hop and r&b sounds, they
tap into its spirit, soul and
strength.
And this is what they have
successfully done with their duo
debut project titled "Princesses
N u b ie n n e s”
(V irg in
R eco rd s)(O m to w n M usic/
Higher Octave).
Not only did “Les Nubians”
F ren ch
ly rics
o ffe r
so p h isticated , sensual and
spiritual sensations to last
M onday n ig h ts crow d at
Portland’s Roseland Theater,
the Faussart sisters made sure
that their first time to the city of
Portland left a special imprint
o f th e ir reg g ae, h ip -h o p ,
A frican, r& b and m usical
influences.
The A frican-French sisters
Helen (bom 1975) and Celiste
(bom 1979) are the daughters
o f a Cameroonian mother and
French father. After spending
most o f their early childhood in
France, it was in 1985 that the
family moved to the African country
o f Chad. After living in Chad for
seven years, they then spent their
teenage years by moving back to
France.
Images CoUPtCSy of
p j o t r S j|<
TEARS OF JOY
THEATRE7
1999-2000 SEASON
& R
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climbed. They are now combining
the influences o f African rhythms,
hip-hop. Euro-pop, soul and reggae
vibes that musically groomed them
as adolescents and has generously
graced their talent as adults.
And so they journeyed. To the land
o f Portland on Monday, October 24
for an 8pm performance that gave
even the jiggiest Joe, joy and left
the b ig g e st-b a lle r-sh o t-c a lle r,
blushed.
Normally one might come to a hip-
hop show extra fashionably late.
Possibly, because too many venue
showcases are often, at least an hour
late and have a way too lengthy
sound and mic check. Maybe these
sound engineers should get as much
top billing as the headlining artist.
But not the case here. Direct
Productions did and have been
doing a boombastic job o f having a
positive and punctual flow as people
walk in the door to their often sold-
out and definitely positive hip-hop,
jazz, soul and blues concert shows.
What made the start o f the show
happening and hype was the Direct
Productions promoters resident DJ,
M ixM aster K.D. This Portland
based but often bi-coastal spinning
DJ, is known for his turntable props
from his Portland following o f
concert and club-going fans to the
boroughs Brooklyn, Bronx and
(503) 248-0557 or (360) 695-0477
5736 NE 33rd • Portland, Oregon