Album review

Patrick Ruffino

Ewa Ka Jo

Paris 

31/01/2008 - 

Patrick Ruffino, one of the runners-up in RFI’s “Découvertes” talent contest in 2006, has just released an impressive solo debut, Ewa Ka Jo. The album, which mixes West African rhythms and polished jazz phrasing, confirms the Beninese singer-bassist’s early potential.

Thirty seconds of listening to Patrick Ruffino ply his art is all it takes to realise this young man has some solid musical baggage - and he knows how to put it to good use! Ruffino wisely chose to prioritise vocals on Ewa Ka Jo and avoids overly demonstrative guitar solos that would have taken him into more jazz-rock territory. But the in-depth music knowledge he has acquired over the years shines through at every turn. What’s more, singing in Mina, Yoruba, Dendi, Fon - and even at one point in Pidgin - Ruffino manages to reflect the full diversity of his origins, delving into the culture of that vibrant part of West Africa that runs from Ghana to Nigeria.

Patrick Ruffino has honed his musical skills in a variety of domains, working with traditional ballet troupes in his homeland before going on to make a name for himself with the Beninese group Fâ, with whom he released an album in 1998. He has strummed his bass on the jazz scene as well as in the African music world, accompanying the likes of Papa Wemba, King Mensah and Makoma. And he has soaked up plenty of diverse musical influences along the way. Now, at the age of 36, Ruffino has decided the time has come to find his own voice, letting his musical talent and creativity flow on his own account.

Dense, rich and intense tracks such as Aniché, Fafa Yé Min Bio and the title track Ewa Ka Jo stand out in terms of musical value for money. And listeners will find themselves almost overwhelmed by the sheer number of instruments involved. Fulani flute, balafon, soaring violins and ‘cellos - not to mention a  full brass section! - are all arranged with expert precision. One suspects the poor sound engineer who worked on Ewa Ka Jo must have suffered his share of sleepless nights!

Roaming round West Africa, performing concerts in Mali, Benin and Burkina Faso, Ruffino worked with a mobile studio that he transported in his luggage wherever he went. This allowed him to record contributions from local musicians he met on his travels. The list of credits on Ewa Ka Jo makes interesting reading, including some twenty names such as up-and-coming Cameroonian musician Muntu Valdo (on harmonica) and Lionel Loueke, the Beninese guitarist who left his homeland to make a career for himself in the U.S. Another of Ruffino’s compatriots, Carlos Gbaguidi, plays a key role on drums bringing a "live" touch to proceedings as he accompanies the soloists. Take a listen to Ewa Ka Jo and we’re sure you’ll agree, Patrick Ruffino is not so much a man to watch in the future as a musician to make the most of right now!

Patrick Ruffino Ewa Ka Jo (Cpb/Nocturne) 2007

Bertrand  Lavaine

Translation : Julie  Street