► Kimberose, dazzling soul diva
Kimberose already has two gold records to her credit, Chapter One (2018) et Out (2021), as well as the duo Our best years with Grand Corps Malade. Roses, his third album released in 2024, is rich in several exhilarating tracks, including the tonic You Made Me Pray or Anita, love song for his mother from Ghana. In French or English, this dazzling soul diva with a range of three octaves can sing everything from bossa nova Pink or nothing au gospel Bird of Prey. Her deep voice flourishes in the funky rhythm of disco with the American Nile Rodgers of the legendary group Chic, who joins her on the hit (Where are) The Good Days ?to the expected triumph during the 2025 festivals.
Roses, by Kimberose, a 6&7 album.
Concerts in Roubaix (May 23), Calais (May 24), Albi (July 4)…
► Ben Mazué, on behalf of his family
Four years later Paradis and two years later Short-lived, trio album with Gaël Faye and Grand Corps Malade, Ben Mazué returns with a new record, Family, “an invitation to seize every second to love, enjoy, forgive”, he explains. This unifying project evoking his family and the woman in his life opens the doors to a residency at the Théâtre de l’Atelier in Paris (21 dates), before festivals and a tour. Ben Mazué revealed a first song: It’s timeperformed with the nervous phrasing of his slightly veiled voice, fits well into his intimate style.
FamilyColumbia/Sony released February 28.
Concerts in Lyon (January 17-18) Nantes (January 22-23), Théâtre de l’Atelier in Paris from January 27 to March 12.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1_Zm78zamQ?feature=oembed
► Piers Faccini and Ballaké Sissoko, long-term friends
They have known each other since Ballaké Sissoko deployed the strings of his art on Piers Faccini’s second album, Tearing Sky (2005). The Malian kora virtuoso and the Anglo-Italian bard living in the Cévennes are dating Our Calling. Superbly illustrated with two birds, this entirely acoustic album enchants with the sonic and poetic complicity of the two friends. Soft voices and spirals of strings unite Mandinka tradition and English folk. Among several gems, the song Go Where Your Eyes hovers in peaceful heights like the free flight of a nightingale gliding with its wing downwind between West Africa and Europe.
Our Calling, No Format, released February 14.
Concerts: Saint-Genis-Pouilly (February 22), Rouen (March 7), La Rochelle (July 12)…
-► Birds on a Wire, sing on the wire
Rosemary Standley and Dom La Nena triumph with their duet, Birds on a Wire. On vocals and on the cello, these two “birds on the wire” have reinvented sumptuous compositions, by Leonard Cohen who inspired their name, Brel, Fauré, Violeta Parra, Tom Waits, and even the Catalan canticle. The song of the birds. While waiting for their third album this year, we will see their beautiful performance at the Louvre on Arte Concert (January 27), we will discover their new show with Étienne Saglio which will be created in Paris on January 28, or we will listen to them everywhere in France with already almost 30 dates in 2025.
Concerts in Corbeil-Essonnes (January 23), Sainte-Maxime (January 25), Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet (January 28)…
► Solann, new romantic star
Solann Lis-Amboyan, 25 years old, started with a bang in 2024 with two notable titles, The Ogres et Monstrous. A powerful verb, a stormy rebellion, a rhythm opening up to electro in the tradition of Stromae or Zaho de Sagazan, the young artist has many assets to become a star. His Armenian origins resonate in the melismas of his singing, his pop is enriched by his ukulele and his love of books can be heard in his beautiful writing. Shrouded in a strange darkness and a fragile grace contrasting with the strength of her songs, Solann should mark the year 2025 with her combative romanticism.
If we dark it will be beautifulCinq7, released January 24.
Concerts in Caen (February 26), Rouen (February 27), Lille (February 28), Olympia on March 9…
► Tamino, the return of a golden voice
Tamino, Belgian of Egyptian origin, comes from a great musical lineage but has managed to create his own style. A range of four octaves, a sound enriched by the Arabic oud, sophisticated pop, the 28-year-old artist has released a third mastered and exciting album. Since his debut in 2017 with the song Habibi with voluptuous inflections, he has matured. His solar music has taken a more meditative and folkier turn. Perhaps under the influence of Lana Del Rey, for whom he opened for concerts in the United States? This year Tamino will captivate the most prestigious venues in the world with his golden voice.
Every Dawn’s a MountainCommunion Records, released March 21.
Concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris on March 11.
