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Album review
Richard Bona
Scenes From His Life
Paris
20/09/1999 -
The Lord works in mysterious ways - and if you've ever doubted that, you should take a look at the life of African musician Richard Bona. Bona, who was born in Minta, Cameroon in 1967, took up music as some might take up religious vows, committing himself to his chosen vocation at the tender age of 6. Richard's grandfather, who worked as a local Christian preacher, played a vital role in this conversion, making Richard his first balafon and inviting his grandson to perform in church. Richard Bona has come a long way since then, as listeners will find out for themselves on Bona's excitingly diverse debut album.
Richard, your first album feels very diverse. It's almost as if you've decided to swim with several musical currents at the same time...
Well, the album - as I think the title makes clear - represents different moments, different scenes from my life. This album's a way of tracing the different paths I've taken in life, both musical and otherwise. Basically, I've tried to put together a whole lot of different musical styles which have influenced me over the years, using my voice as a kind of thread to hold the whole thing together. I've tried to reflect my own personality as best as I possibly can. In fact, that was the most important thing for me on this album. That's why I've ended up with a real mix of styles - a bit of jazz, a bit of salsa and a healthy dose of world music.
The album's also very much of its time. I think that in the year 2000 we'll get to see more and more albums like this - albums which draw a whole lot of influences together into one big mix. Take Cuba, for example. When you go to Cuba these days you find musicians playing all kinds of things. Those guys can do anything from classical music to jazz - they don't just play salsa, you know. And over in Japan, Africa, and the United States different types of music are all being brought together now. I think we're moving further and further towards a real fusion of musical styles. I'm not sure what that's going to lead to in the end. But one thing's for sure - the fusion trend's going to bring about enormous changes in the music world. This is just the beginning. 
Do you think this fusion approach is what characterises the Bona style?
I'm not sure you need a particular adjective to describe my style. My music is me. It's as simple as that! My music is my accent, my state of mind, my way of living. It's everything I feel deep down inside. If my music appears spontaneous and improvised, that's because it is - I never plan it in any way. I turn up, I find myself in a certain situation and I start creating in relation to it. And that's it - that's all there is to it! I've experimented with a lot of different musical genres before ending up where I am today, you know. Even in the beginning when I didn't like other kinds of music, I'd really try and make myself listen to them with an open ear - you know, be as receptive as I could towards them. I never behave like a real connoisseur. I go towards these different kinds of music like someone who wants to learn from them, like someone drawing nourishment. I believe that you can find something good in all kinds of music. And what I try and do is take the best from each genre to enrich my own sound. That's my thing in life, learning from what else is out there. And let me tell you, the day I stop feeling I'm learning is the day I stop playing!
What you've got to think about is where you do your learning. You don't learn from people who live exactly the same way you do. No, you learn from those who are different from you. And that's exactly why I'm drawn to different types of music. You know, a lot of people are afraid of difference - but not me! It's thanks to difference that I'm able to create my music and permanently enrich my sound. And another reason I try and listen to as many different sounds as possible is because I don't want my music to be restricted to my own part of the world. I want it to be enjoyed by as many people as possible!
What are your songs about in general?
They're about life, love, my day-to-day environment... I think music should also be used as a way of getting your message across. That's a really important aspect of songwriting. We should talk about what's going on around us, you know, try to give advice and get close to people. I know it seems like it's all been said before, but I think we should still make an effort to spell things out. I mean, if it's all been said a million times before and people had really listened, then we wouldn't be where we are today with all these problems going on in the world. Sure, plenty of people before me have sung about the same kind of stuff as I do. I'm certainly not the first - and I won't be the last either! But when you see what's happening in the world around you, you know you've got to keep on going. I mean, you've only got to take a look at what's going down in Kosovo... it's unbelievable what's going on out there, people killing each other, thousands of refugees fleeing from their homes. And if we don't denounce that in our songs, who's going to do it? Politicians lie to us all the time - people don't even listen to them any more! Music and the arts are the only way of capturing people's attention right now, the only way of getting people together and making them aware of what's going on in the world.
After four years in New York and a whole series of collaborations with major stars such as Harry Belafonte and Joe Zawinul - and now finally the release of your debut album on Columbia - do you feel like a young Cameroonian artist who's achieved the American Dream?
No, not yet... I feel like that's what I'm fighting for, but I wouldn't say I've made it yet. I'm trying to keep a clear head about all this, so I don't end up going off the rails, you know. Anyway, the essential thing for me right now is being able to go on playing the kind of music I want. If it's a success, then that's great! But if not, I'll still have the music with me. What's interesting is that after making a name for myself in Douala, then Paris, right now I've got to push myself a bit further to earn my place in New York. You really do feel like you're getting a big push from behind, but at the same time you're very aware that people are watching what you do. They're ready to jump on you and do you down if you make the slightest mistake.
Richard Bona Scenes From My Life (Columbia/Sony) was released in France on 24 August 1999.
Richard Bona will be in concert in Paris at Le New Morning on 12 October.
Soeuf Elbadawi
Translation : Julie Street
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