Album Notes

Etienne Dinanga and Rene Sephton, two talented performers experienced in the traditional music of their own cultures, have come together in this unique album ‘Tika Nayemba’, to create a new and exciting blend of life and music.

The album, a collection of songs in English, French, Lingala and Greek, speak of the human condition around the world. Inspired by a long tradition of expressing suffering through song, their music draws from the past and places it against problems in contemporary times, at the same time possessing a quality rich with hope.

Etienne Dinanga, a Congolese musician who has specialized in Soukous music (the dance music of the DR Congo) for over 10 years, came to Australia as an asylum seeker. Rene Sephton, on the other hand, had just begun her music career. A young contemporary songwriter with an interest in folk, jazz, blues, as well as the traditional music of her Greek heritage. In finding a commonality of theme in their music, they immediately began working together. Through rich harmonies, and unique rhythms, they unify the diversity of sounds which they began with. The result is a sound which is honest and deeply soulful, and the warmth of their music have captivated audiences far and wide.