Album Notes

SEGA SENSATION EMILIEN ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF TWO NEW RECORDS  Mixing world-beat rhythms with classic pop melodies, the albums Nations and Roots offer a unique fusion with universal appeal.  EMILIEN, the Paris-based musician whose 2004 debut Reves introduced music fans to an innovative blend of Mauritian Sega and Beatlesque songcraft, has just released a pair of new records: Roots, which is sung entirely in English, and Nations which sung entirely in Creole. Each record offers a distinct new take on EMILIEN's signature sound while bringing the focus back to a World music driven by Sega rhythms. The Sega is a mystical, folkloric dance of African origin that's unique to Mauritius, the tropical island where EMILIEN was born. The goal for the album Roots was to introduce the sound of The Sega to the pop audience. On songs such as "Music and "Inner Understanding," EMILIEN cleverly integrates western melodies and Sega rhythms creating a new hybrid genre that sometimes recalls George Harrison. By infusing classic song structures with the Sega grooves of The Sega that gives songs like "Inner Understanding" a liberating spirit rarely heard in traditional pop music. "The goal for Nations, on the other hand, was to bring a western influence to the native Mauritian music while delivering the lyrical message in Creole," explains EMILIEN. On the title track of Nations, EMILIEN tells the story of Ti Pierre, a small Creole boy who is teased by his school friends for having fuzzy hair. "We are a small NATION, don’t look at Religion, color, hair or appearance,” sings EMILIEN in the chorus of "Nations.” “We are a small NATION, Just a big FAMILY." This theme of unity co-existing with diversity plays out in EMILIEN's arrangements as well. In addition to guitars, piano, bass and drums, EMILIEN peppered his new tunes with occasional flourishes of tabla, sitar, and trombone, creating an exotic amalgamation of sounds drawn from cultures around the world. EMILIEN’s multicultural influences are the natural result of traveling the world en route to earning a doctorate in Psychology from Liege University in Belgium and a Masters in Clinical Pharmacology from Glasgow in Scotland. "My life in Europe and travels to countries such as the U.S. and India definitely helped shape my musical style. I am a chameleon in my musical influences. So it's not surprising that you can hear these various cultural influences on the two new albums," reflects EMILIEN.  It’s the influence of Indian World music that can be heard most prominently on the tune "Divali," which features a guest vocal appearance by Vasumathi Badrinathan, a Bombay-based singer and dancer. Other studio guest stars included sitar player, Indrajit Bannerjee and tabla player, Gourisankar Karmakar, who are two internationally renowned Indian musicians. London-based singer, FAYE PATTON, contributed strong vocal harmonies to every track on Roots. In addition to his seasoned musicians, EMILIEN’s band features a trio of Sega dancers who add an exhilarating energy to his extraordinary live performances. Later this year, EMILIEN and his band will be embarking on a European tour in support of his two new releases. For dates and details, visit HYPERLINK "http://emilien-music.fr/"http://emilien-music.fr/  Track listing for Nations: 1. Nations 2. Létan lontan 3. Divali 4. Toi qui toi 5. Zaffaire là 6. Ti frere 7. Simone 8. Segaë blues 9. Bouillon crabe 10. Diego Garcia 11. Jimy 12. Ti Louis 13. Mamzelle 14. Zoli femme  Track listing for Roots: 1. Inner Understanding 2. African drums 3. Temptation 4. Sunshine blues 5. Music 6. Tonight 7. Life 8. Pretty sexy 9. Hold me 10. I want to be your lover 11. This is what I mean 12. No answer at her door    For more information, please contact EMILIEN at emilienmusic@yahoo.fr.