2006, “Honeymoon”. Still directed by DJ BNX, whose choice of the remixers w… Read Full Bio ↴2006, “Honeymoon”. Still directed by DJ BNX, whose choice of the remixers was crucial, the preparation of the album took place in a more structured way. In the first place, Zimpala realized that Noémie was to be The Voice...
2000, 2003, 2006. The least that can be said is that the reproduction cycle of Zimpala is set on quite a regular basis. And finally, the last born is arrived. Three years after “The Breeze is Black”, “Honeymoon” is having quite an impact on the evolution of the Bordeaux Collective, which has more or less turned into a “band” lately. But let’s trace back their out-of-the-ordinary and smart career…
2000, “Almaviva”. First piece of work under the banner of Platinum Records. Frédéric Beneix (alias DJ BNX) gathered some of the Bordeaux Electro Scene new talents. Founder and co-producer of the project, DJ BNX, already known as the label manager of FANTOMAS, embodied, as well as for the two following albums, the role of the determinant Art Director. Thanks to his talented Ear, David Walters, Benja & Fatalis (alias The Film), Anton & Noémie, Bordono & Arnaud Pierret became ZIMPALA. Their way of mixing sound samples and acoustic instruments creates a cinematic electro music, clearly attracted to world percussions, Jazz and to the most sensual dance floors. Baseball, one of the album titles was chosen to become the background music of a Motorola commercial. Dan, from Captain-Studios, is the artist behind the classy design of the album. He’s been in control of the Zimpala image ever since.
2003, “The Breeze is Black”. Another amplified success. Both “Adios” and “Sugar” from the album, got successfully broadcast by radio stations. At that time, Zimpala still claimed to be a collective, which finally seemed to make sense, despite the numerous sources of creation. A new collaborator joined in. His name was Antoine Boistelle (Alias AntOne). “The Breeze is Black” ended up compiled worldwide, and especially by Costes 6. The impact in the United States was quite remarkable and the album got released in Germany, Spain, Ausralia, Ukraine, Russia, Japan and Canada as well. DJ BNX found himself in charge of a boundless promotion that made the Zimpala crew play in the best Parisian clubs (Alcazar, Queen, Favela Chic, Bataclan…), and tour in Mexico, Russia and the United States. Zimpala clearly helped Electro Music get a permanent visa to the world of sensuality and dream.
2006, “Honeymoon”. Still directed by DJ BNX, whose choice of the remixers was crucial, the preparation of the album took place in a more structured way. In the first place, Zimpala realized that Noémie was to be The Voice, which features on most of the songs, in English and in French for two titles. The tone remains suave, more touching and yet kinky (Le pays d’Alice). Most of the titles were composed by AntOne, Anthon and Noémie, with no more hiding of their taste for distinguished pop Songs. During the recording sessions, the Tarantino-like imaginary latinos burst proud and loud (She’s from Mexico, Honeymoon), while crystal-like guitars, playful keyboards, carrying and efficient bass-guitars made the movie showing more beautiful than ever.
But “Honeymoon” does not leave Bordono’s Jazz desires aside either (For a waltz), as well as it features the peculiar, yet striking, voice of the gypsy Jonathan Pisa (Hasta la vista), Arnaud Pierret’s bass and the dark-groovy half-sung/half-spoken lyrics of Benja (The party, Into the maze).
Finally, this “Honeymoon” suits all weddings. Again, wedding between Men and Machines; wedding between traditional music (Hasta la vista) and a luminous soft-pop (Fall in the water); marriage between raw and synthetic; marriage between the murmur of a voice with the beats that invite to dancing (Trop méchante, Into the maze, The party)…
Zimpala walks around, free, searching for adventure. Such a wild antilope, makes the savannah look so much more beautiful…It is about time we (re)-discover her !