There is no better way to describe Nneka than to simply say she has "it".
Her songs are and lyrics are deep and complicated. They personify an independent voice and rebel spirit that challenges the status quo where greed and corruption in her native Nigeria and throughout the world is rampant. Right out of the box, in the feel and groove department, she has that "it" thing too. It's one of the main ingredients.
What separates Nneka from most of the rest in the supposed top tier is that her songs dig hard to say something important. This leads me to wonder why she is not in the top tier, yet. I long for the day that she and artists like her are the top tier that exists. Perhaps in due time, substance will trump bling.
Her songs weave in and out from what seem like love songs at first, into geopolitical humanitarian statements often pointed at unnamed political leaders. At least her songs naturally conjure thoughts of certain leaders without even mentioning their names. Her songs make those who listen think. Nneka really reaches deep for truth which she considers to be real love.
This is an amazing live take of Nneka performing one of her signature songs titled Heartbeat. The studio version of this song (second one down from here) is the very first song I ever heard of Nneka's years ago. And, it did not sink in at first listen. It took a few listens to interpret the meaning of her lyrics clearly, but when I did I felt her depth and it had impact. The song is screaming at political leaders questioning if they hear the heartbeat of their electorate or in the case of dictatorships, the people they rule. I like the interview that follows live take in the video below. It's a tiny window of insight into Nneka. I have had a few chances to speak with her in person and I came away feeling her authenticity is genuine.
Nneka - Heartbeat (live in France with French/English Subtitle after song - 2009)
I've been following Cecilia Noel since the mid 1990's when her ex-husband Tris Imboden (famous for drumming for Chicago and a great California surf inspired band known as Honk in his earliest years) saw me filming the China Club ProJam and asked me to shoot some live music concerts of his then wife when she had just been signed to Sony Music.
The A&R guy, Kenny Komisar, who signed Cecilia Noel to Sony was way ahead of his time. Komisar signed Cecilia just before the beginning of the Latin/Pop explosion that Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez were part of. The band that Cecilia Noel put together as Cecilia Noel & The Wild Clams was a magnificent undeniable organic cuban inflused latin flavor that killed. I am talking real burning hot unmanufactured blazing funky assed latin music! The record label, at large, however, just did not get Cecilia Noel at that time, and accidentally let her go, releasing her from her recording contract. Just a couple of years later, that Latin scene exploded.
However, none of that bad timing ever got in the way of Cecilia's burning desire for the show to go on. She built a independent movement on her own. She worked hard, playing tons of shows has toured to every continent and numerous countries.
Always known for having the creme of the crop session musicians in her band, not to mention to sexy Wild Clam singers, Cecilia Noel has staked her claim as one of the truest Latin/Funk/Jazz Salsa Queens the world has ever seen. Look at the size of her band, and the quality of the artists and it's easy to calculate the amount of people power it takes to run such a tight ship. This is a great example of what real music from real musicians is all about! Enjoy!
Dip It - Live - June 2009
TANX is not just the 1973 Album from the band T. Rex. Came across the band from Slovakia known as TANX by way of a message from Annette Knudsen from Sweden. Thank you Annette!
Video Directed by: Martin Hasák Camera: Laco Janošťák Cut: Peter Magát
