Search - Zebda :: Essence Ordinaire

A great French lesson!

12/09/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Essence Ordinaire" is a very beautiful example of what (and how much!) contemporary French music can deliver. Bands like Mano Negra and Les Negresses Vertes in the late eighties opened the way for groups like Zebda in the nineties by bringing new blends of sounds to the public that reflect very much French society today. The music is a canvas of rap, reggae, rock, funk, ska and rai, creating a harmonious mix of influences from several geographic areas, and in particular North Africa. Before all, the beats are joyful and dynamic. But there is much more to Zebda than their great "hip shaking" beats and obvious musical talents, and that you can discover in their lyrics. If the music tells in many ways about their mixed culture of French-of-Arabic-descent-living-in-Toulouse, the words tell a lot about what the band stands for: equality, the fight against social and cultural gaps, integration and identity, self-reliance, positivism, political engagement against the infamous "extreme droite francaise", among other things... The band's writer and representative, Magyd Cherfi, has a quiet sense of humor and irony. The lyrics are fun and serious at the same time and, even when the reality that he talks about seems dark and unfair, it is always told with lightness and sharpness. Zebda is a band of well-grounded, intelligent individuals with cold heads and warm hearts, a lot of enthusiasm, strength and perspective. Tout un programme!
I personally don't care for keg-party songs like "Tomber la Chemise", and I would not recommend that one (but it is good in its own style), even if it is the most famous Zebda hit so far. Listen to "Ca va pas etre possible", "Tout semble si..." (my favourite) and "Le Petit Robert", and enjoy!"