Djim Radé (born Djimradé Kamndoh) moved to Montreal in 2021 from Chad, but also after studying jazz in Toulouse, in the south of France. This baggage can be heard on the homonymous album released at the end of January: his song Mila has, for example, a jazz fusion side skilfully married to its West African roots and sometimes to Congolese rumba.
The jazz influence is generally more classic than adventurous: thrusts of brass, melodic solos or a piano that juggles with harmonic constructions without losing the desire to remain pleasant to the ear. His Chadian heritage is felt more in the percussion and time signature of the tracks (Nandoube).
In a rather high-pitched voice, which has a kinship with that of Youssou N’Dour without reaching the same heights, he evokes complex human relationships, but also the difficulties of his country of origin. “The dog, the cat, the donkey, everyone knows the country is not well / Except those who are supposed to know”, he sings, with a rebellious calm.
There is something very classic about Djim Radé, which will leave fans of more innovative African music unsatisfied. However, it must be granted its sure melodic sense and an overall delicacy, which makes its disc a good companion early in the morning as well as late in the evening.
The guitarist and singer underlines the publication of this first full album on Sunday, during a concert at the Ministry. Information: https://leministere.ca/evenements/djim-rade-lancement-dalbum
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Djim Rade
Djim Rade
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