In late 2024, at the famous Olympia in Paris, the Quebec-Algerian Gypsy chaâbi ensemble celebrated their two decades of musical adventures along bohemian pathways. And then, last February, to a full house at Club Balattou, Nedjim Bouizzoul and his fantastic group of musicians delivered a really special and eagerly awaited concert. This summer, while in the midst of their Dima Libre 2025 Tour, the band of troubadours will honour Festival International Nuits d’Afrique with their presence, and for that we gratefully say, Shukran!
It’s a story that begins with a father passing on his musical heritage to his son Nedjim, who, inspired by eclectic styles belonging to no flag nor label, continued to follow his own path to wherever the music took him. With Algerian chaâbi as his starting point, and influenced by travels and the experience of feeling uprooted, an 18-year-old Nedjim arrived in Quebec with his guitar slung across his shoulder. He soon got a feel for Montreal’s urban life by playing in cafés, on street corners and in the halls of the metro. Starting out solo, this self-taught artist eventually got together with other passionate musicians. Theirs was an artistic world immune to adversity. That’s when he came up with the name Labess (the Arabic phrase “لاباس” means “all is well” or “tout va bien”). The group came together in the 2000s and in 2007, launched their aptly named album, Tout Va Bien.
Labess plunges into the purest roots of flamenco and rumba, affirming loud and proud its Gipsy philosophy. Nedjim’s guitar chords sweep through the air with the vivifying breath of life. Listening to “Dance Me,” the group’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song, is enough to send shivers up your spine. Solidarity with oppressed peoples, including the Palestinians, the strength of friendship and the fragility of life, all resonate magnificently and touchingly within this extraordinary ensemble. So do love and beauty’s praises, such as on the song “Rosa, Qué Linda Eres.” Portugal to Romania, from France there can only be one route to follow, the road to freedom. Isn’t that what you’ve always dreamed of?