Muntu Valdo Downloads

The artist is he who dares, in his own blood, to write the story of his life. From a very early age, Muntu Valdo realised that music, song and poetry would allow him to discover the depths of his true self, and that art would help him steer clear of life’s pitfalls. Muntu is a... Learn More »

The artist is he who dares, in his own blood, to write the story of his life.

From a very early age, Muntu Valdo realised that music, song and poetry would allow him to discover the depths of his true self, and that art would help him steer clear of life’s pitfalls. Muntu is a "Douala" and as such, part of the "Sawa" community stretching along Cameroon’s coastline. He grew up in the cosmopolitan cities of Yaoundé and Douala, where the West has imported television, radio, Internet and a dislocated urbanism. Dilapidated colonial avenues rub shoulders with dusty roads, markets and working class quarters. Perhaps it's this astonishing fusion of the abandoned West and an African pride which, is the inspiration behind the eclectic music Muntu had been writing since the age of 15 years old?

Rather than hybridism, Muntu prefers the concept of reconciliation: bossa nova, afro-cuban, blues, soul and funk, all have their origins rooted in the Diaspora and slavery. It makes perfect sense then, to hear this music sung by an African. It’s no longer a question of world music, but a fusion of everything this continent has helped create over the centuries. Even if slavery darkens the conscience of all humanity, we all deserve to savour the beauty born of this past. Muntu Valdo’s music invites us to discover this African side to our humanity.

Outstanding guitarist, singer and harmonica player, his own repertoire of compositions was already well developed when he began to appear alongside the great names of African and international music (Lokua Kanza, Keziah Jones, Rido Bayonne, Etienne Mbappe, Eko Roosevelt, André-Marie Talla, Bébé Manga). This was followed by several acclaimed supporting concerts for Tony Allen, Lionel and Stéphane Belmondo, Richard Bona... The experience gained in the presence of such enormous talent, enabled him to perfect his instrumental technique without influencing the unique colour of his musical style. Lokua Kanza is adamant that Muntu's melodic inspiration and harmonic invention is worthy of the international scene, Manu Dibango simply tells us that this music must be listened to!

It’s the French Cultural Network that gives Muntu the opportunity to open up his music to a larger public. In 2000 they send him on a national tour of Cameroon's ten largest cities. The same year, one of the country’s best sound engineers, Franky Mood, introduces an old live recording of Muntu's music to a French producer, talent hunting in Cameroon. The next week, a meeting is arranged: it's 7pm, dusk is engulfing the equator, and Muntu sings "Léta", a breathtaking blues sung in Douala. The producer falls under his charm and a new chapter is opened. The next day, his opinion is consolidated by Gilles Petit De La Villéon, then director of Douala's French Cultural Centre: Muntu has played on his stage, "he's the next big thing: he deserves to be listened to the world over".
« Hide Description