Singapore Night Live: WAB and the funky machine: What A Blast!

In my previous post Qilin Quartet + Darren Moore and Suresh Vaidyanathan. Sultan Sunrise I mentioned there were 2 events in that week that were worth a special mention. Due to lethargy I did not yet get round to sharing the second one till now. This one had an additional unusual aspect because it was held in the Aliwal Arts Centre. A new location for us to enjoy live music. It is – also – located in the Kampong Glam area, in fact almost directly next to the Sultan Hotel, but with its main entrance at Aliwal Street. It is described to be a multi-disciplinary arts centre with an emphasis on performing arts. The event was brought to my attention by Andayoma, (Andayoma - Sheer Elegance) and I am so glad she did. WAB and the funky machine was fantastic entertainment.

WAB was invited over from France by the A Cappella Society of Singapore. It was the same event that introduced us last year to the amazing beat-boxer from Finland, Felix Zenger.

The occasion was The International A Cappella Festival Singapore, featuring several voice artists like; again Felix Zenger, Tobias Hug and the earlier announced WAB.

From the name you would think WAB and the funky machine would be a ten piece band with at least several bras instruments. However in the true spirit of a cappella, it’s a one man band with only Habib Julien’s vocal cords as instrument. I guess what the Funky Machine stands for, lies on the floor in front of Habib.

A, probably, carefully selected set of electronic equipment that loops the different vocal imitations of various musical instruments into the funky rhythms. WAB carefully put these layers together until it is a rich instrumental blend of rhythm to support his songs. The tunes vary in genre from rap to reggae. Lyrics are often times in French. Lyrics with a story to tell, interesting and socially aware, at least based on what I could make out of it.