Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010
Japan doesn’t see many African musicians—and, like many of those that do somehow find their way here, Boddhi Satva is based in Europe. Nevertheless, the DJ/producer was born and raised in the Central African Republic, and his roots are as much in the rhythms of soukous, makossa and ndombolo as in hip-hop or house.
“He is [part of] the new wave of young artists from Africa that will take the reins when the greats such as Louie Vega and Danny Krivit retire,” says promoter Mitch Norris of Boddhi Satva’s upcoming Japan debut.
Contacted by email, “Boddhi”—real name Armani Kombot-Naguemon—proves voluble, quoting a friend as describing his style of “African Music” as based “upon a certain repetitiveness that has a hypnotic influence and can provoke the spirit in your body to make you wanna dance.”
The DJ says house music still has minimal impact in central Africa, but notes “there is room for us because of two styles of music that have been big all over Africa for the past six years: coupé décalé (created in Ivory Coast) and kuduro (Angola). Both mix electronic elements with organic and vocal ones. They have even crossed the limits of Africa and are a big phenomenon in Europe and the US.”
Sharing a home with house producer Alton Miller in Brussels for the last few years, as well as his close relationship with Louie Vega, have allowed Boddhi to fertilize his African roots with contemporary dance music production values and the spirituality of house music. The results can be heard on his forthcoming debut long player.
“Invocation is my first album,” he says. “It took me ten years to do it, and because of the amount of music I produced, we decided to make this debut a special one: special, because it’ll be a double album of 25 original productions done by myself featuring Vikter Duplaix, C. Robert Walker, Fredy Massamba, Rachel Claudio, Yuba, Yacoub and many more.”
Boddhi says he’s doubly honored to be invited to Japan.
“First, because my father used to live in Japan when he was a boy and always told me amazing stories of his childhood in Tokyo. Second is the fact that Japanese people are very selective when it comes to quality.”
“I will provide my Ancestral Soul sounds,” he promises. “I’ll connect my soul and spirit to the listeners and dancers that will be there that night, and with humility do my very best to give them the most positive and uplifting night.”
May 15 @Amrax
Boddhi Satva. House: DJs Boddhi Satva, Aron T, Bbc, etc. From 11pm, ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3486-6861. www.4thelove.net / info@4thelove.net
Invocation is due out this fall.
