KUBIX

SOCIAL MEDIAS

Genre

JAZZ JAMAICAN / REGGAE

BiographY

Anyone who has tasted it knows how to recognize this quality – rare, let's be honest – that Kubix's album possesses: this beneficial effect that music provides and which does good to the heart as well as to the body; this Grail that we all hope for when we press "play", when the notes permeate you, resonate with your soul and make every cell vibrate in you, from head to toe.

This is what Kubix expresses, without calculation, without seeking to shine, just guided by the emotion that music can carry, because our man is one of those who play it as they breathe. Experience it, whatever the title of Guitar Chant ; turn up the volume, to experience the mix. And you will understand then, if you don't already know, who you are dealing with...

Kubix? Far from being an unknown in the industry, obviously. An essential sideman , for a good decade. If you discreetly inquire with various pillars of the reggae planet in France, they will tell you every time without hesitation: "He's the best!" Above the rest. Luckily, he pays no attention to it. His sense of sharing music is a hundred times greater than his ego – the prerogative of gifted people who don't play in the same category? And when he arrives at the last minute to replace a group, like a luxury joker, it's no longer the same concert. As if by magic, suddenly, each of his teammates feels pulled upwards. The kind of guy who doesn't need to be a leader on paper to become one in reality, without imposing himself. Jamaicans were not mistaken, who trust him completely to put together tailor-made backing bands and lead them on European stages, when they don't employ him in the studio. Our guitarist also has a Grammy Award and a nomination to his name as a musician.

BIOGRAPHY

But considering Kubix solely through the prism of reggae is far too reductive, you guessed it. Contrary to the philosophy, to the state of mind of this musician from the Paris region who grew up surrounded by guitarists, in his family as well as in his record collection: Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jimmy Page… On the musical planet he travels, recreating borders would be nonsense. Before Covid, we saw him a lot with Kimberose in a soul register. Previously, he also toured with the Algerian-Canadian singer Zaho . In recent years, the schedule was busy, as requests from all sides were pouring in. But our almost forty-year-old found the time to give birth to his own baby, Guitar Chant .

His approach for this personal album: "a jazzy approach" on a reggae structure (and what a basis!). Improvise around a theme, tell a story that doesn't need words to capture your attention. Call friends so that they too contribute to the narration with their respective instruments, like the Japanese pianist Aya Kato , whom he describes as "extraterrestrial" , and alongside whom, in their own way, he continues a dialogue initiated by Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin , a reference duo of Jamaican jazz. Make the whole thing groove, as if Weather Report had taken on a Kingston accent. And meet Pink Floyd on the way (Paris New York) . The guest list is not lacking in character, with among others the very experienced French wind player Guillaume "Stepper" Briard , ideal in a "sandbornian" role from the 80's. We also meet Clinton Fearon , Vin Gordon , Marcus 'Groundation' Urani , Manjul. ..

Kubix , whose real name is Xavier Bègue, has done a fabulous job as a musical goldsmith on the eleven tracks of Guitar Chant . A reflection of his high standards. There is so much material to listen to! But don't think that this richness is heavy or indigestible. On the contrary, it is full of subtleties, different layers that all bring something to the edifice, built around an intelligent tracklisting , which knows how to vary the pleasures, surprise. Impress. And above all, seduce.

FOCUS ON 5 TRACKS FROM THE ALBUM

FOCUS#1 – Deep Eyes (track 1): A guitar theme with the feel of a jazz standard, in a reggae setting. Aya Kato on piano and Kubix on guitar for a dialogue that inevitably recalls Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin, one of the Frenchman's references.

FOCUS#2 – Still Standing (track No. 2): Dive into the roots of reggae to the sound of traditional nyabinghi drums, before being swept away by the bass/drums duo while Vin Gordon’s trombone (Bob Marley, Skatalites, Burning Spear etc) and saxophone respond to the guitar.

FOCUS#3 – Sunday Children (track No. 3): Composed on a Sunday afternoon, surrounded by the family's children, hence this freshness and this open theme, initiated by the saxophone in a jazzy spirit, joined by the keyboards of Marcus Urani (Groundation) then the guitar of Kubix. The solos follow one another and finally give way to the drums and bass in a majestic dub.

FOCUS#4 – Paris/New York (track No. 5): A guitar reminiscent of a certain George Benson; organs and piano, inspired by the 70s recorded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Influences borrowed from soul and black music, and above all a piece that changes over the minutes, surprising in the last third with a coda that takes us into a 70s rock, to the sound of an overexcited guitar that the Floyd would not have disowned!

FOCUS#5 – Altitude (track No. 11): Conclusion of the musical journey with this piece composed of two parts, both linked by the same inspiration: a tribute to the pop culture of the seventies (The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix etc), an important influence of Kubix. It is first a guitar in the style of David Gilmour which leads the dance, before in the second part, long and meditative, Kubix plays the Indian sitar and the inverted guitars transport us into a psychedelic musical experience.

The “Guitar Chant Deluxe Edition” vinyl is expected to be released soon, in early 2022.

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