Where bought? Should say "where acquired" - this was posted to me gratis by the label owner Florian. I must declare interest here as my own band is on the same label, though I think I can be honest without ruffling too many feathers.
I own quite a lot of reasonably obscure French records; I'm no extra-giddy Francophile but I've travelled there quite a bit and made friends along the way, so things tickle my ear and people want to give me things in the spirit of generosity. There'll be a few more like this along the way.
This, I am slightly ashamed to admit, is the first time I've listened to La Bergerie (The Sheep Fold?) despite being given the record over 2 years ago. The general style gives generous nods to early 90s jazzy hip-hop, putting bass groove over percussive originality (imo a good move) and flourishes with nice organ samples and tropicalia grabs.
Not speaking much more than a smattering of the language I have little idea what the girls in the group are rapping about. But they sound highly proficient and full of personality, and that's really 80% of the battle when it comes to hip-hop for me. A laid-back and propulsive groove and full-blooded MCing will always grab me by the brainstrings.
My favourite is the atmospheric minor key piano-led 'Tropico', but I was surprised how well this record stayed the course over 12 tracks. French sounds frantic rather than angry when rapped, and the original cadences and deliveries present something that I feel is missing from contemporary American fare (outside of a few notables).
This didn't get great reviews in their homeland, but French critics are super tough on Francophonic music. They think English is the language of lesser musical forms, and adopting your mother tongue means the words have to be extra good. Weird to me, but okay. I like this a lot. It makes this sunny day feel more so.
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