Julia Sarr & Patrice Larose - Set Luna

This collaborative album, Set Luna, is for both Julia and Patrice their debut recording. Prior to this, each had been a backing musician. Sarr sang with Lokua Kanza for twelve years, as well as backing for Youssou N'Dour, MC Solaar, and Tony Allen, among others. Larose, who at age fifteen was inspired by his Spanish grandfather to listen to flamenco guitar, has collaborated with many jazz and Brazilian musicians, most notably Marcio Faraco. Both artists start with tradition but do not limit themselves to it.

Originally flamenco came from India, Larose says. But the funny thing is in Africa you find some rhythms that are the same as flamenco. You find something very close to buler�a in Senegal. You find a lot of 6/8 rhythm in both flamenco and Senegalese music. Another interesting thing is the style of singing. Youssou N'Dour and Mali's Salif Keita have something really close to El Camar�n de la Isla. I once told Salif Keita that his singing reminded me of El Camar�n. He said El Camar�n is his favorite singer in the world! Neither Larose or Sarr approaches their music on Set Luna as set in tradition. Yet both use their roots as a launching pad, which may be why Youssou N'Dour called Sarr the fresh face of African music.