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Crossing-over in London: U-Cef & Transglobal Underground
by Daniel Brown
Article published on the 2009-02-06 Latest update 2009-02-06 11:48 TU
U-Cef.
(Photo: Kay Wahlig)
World Tracks meets two London-based artists who are marrying their love of oriental and north African sounds with electronic beats. For years, DJ U-Cef and Tim Whelan of the Transglobal Underground have been plying their trade at concerts and festivals worldwide. In 2001, U-Cef earned the respect of his peers with his debut album Halalium and his follow-up Halalwood. While back in 1992 a collaboration between Hamilton Lee and Tim Whelan created Transglobal Underground, and subsequent albums involved a glittering array of artists. Their latest release is called Moonshout.
A fascinating fusion: U-Cef and Transglobal Underground
DJ U-Cef’s debut release last year involved the likes of Damon Albarn, Rachid Taha, Natasha Atlas and the former guitar-ace Steve Hillage. And he mixes his Moroccan roots with the latest fads from the electronic world.
“I’m trying to glamorise the work I do,” he explained during a visit to RFI.
“In the album Halalwood, I play on the image of Hollywood, but it’s really the sheikh of Beirut meets the chic of glamour rock,” he told World Tracks.
U-Cef’s stints in the US and especially England have allowed him to hone a unique repertoire.
He mixes his north African roots with trip-hop, drum-n-bass, reggae, rock, techno and much more.
Transglobal Underground in Athens in 2007.
(Photo: Wikipedia)
“I’m in music just to make tunes that not been done before. I try to produce tracks that are quite daring," U-Cef said.
One of many things that U-Cef has in common with the Transglobal Underground is a relationship with Natasha Atlas.
The Anglo-Egyptian’s voice features regularly on Transglobal Underground's albums, sometimes described as ethno-techno.
They seem to please everyone - from a certain brand of carbonated drink, which used their music for an advertising campaign during the 1996 Olympics. To the 2007 album that won them a BBC Radio 3 Club Global award.
Tim Whelan co-founded Transglobal Underground 17 years ago.
“It was a very tense, gloomy time,” he said during his time in studio 136 at Maison de le Radio France.
“Yet, there was a big explosion of music and acid jazz at the time," he added.
The band’s latest album Moonshout has stimulated renewed interest in their style.
“We had not expected so much interest in the live shows,” said Whelan.
As a result, the band has released a live DVD that reflects their electrifying live performances, and their website provides a tantalising glimpse of their collective talent.
Quiz of the week
- Which singer has been a guest artist for both the Transglobal Underground and U-Cef?
The answer is in the programme.
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