Shaking it up with Harry Belafonte; swinging, rocking, working those sweet calypso rhythms – yet the familiar hip hop beats are calling you to get down. Introduced to the brassy sounds of the 1930’s golden era, your feet lighten and tap to the nostalgic beats of the double bass. Brad Pitt’s voice as Tyler Durden in Fight Club flies through the air, and just as you turn to catch it, the beat has slowed right down and you’re bouncing to the blissful sounds of reggae music.
…And this was just the first 2 minutes of the set by Chinese Man last Thursday at Babylon.
A cheeky french trio, DJ’s Zé Mateo, High Ku and beat maker SLY formed in 2005 to create the ‘Chinese Man’ hip-hop collective. Originating from the ‘Wu-Tang’ mountains near Marseille, these French dudes have been touring Europe, captivating crowds with their funky vinyls stemming from influences in Brazilian baile funk, old school hip hop and reggae. They’ve combined African, Asian and Latin sounds; laced with quirky samples and epic visuals.
Their energy and enthusiasm spilled into the audience the moment they bounded onto the stage, smiles all round and genuine excitement to be in Istanbul. It was infectious. Skilfully orchestrated, Chinese Man took us on an adventure of their musical mastery, leading us through the best of their ‘Groove sessions’. In their capable hands, they wove us into their ever-changing musical landscape. The visuals added to the eclectic musical journey, sparking the imagination far beyond Istanbul. The gig effortlessly flowed through genres from calypso to dub-step, set against a hip hop backdrop. As we were transported to the crowded streets of Rio amid sounds of samba, the lure of the carnival was overpowering, and the fun-loving trio couldn’t stop themselves dancing along with the rest of us. This was a highlight of the night, accentuated by the appearance of Taiwan Mc, bringing yet more energy and vocals to tie the set together.
Chinese Man set the perfect party tone, leaving us all wanting more… after their premiere in Istanbul, here’s for hoping that they will return!
Irina Popa is a contributor for Yabangee
