GILFEMA
Genres: World Fusion, African Fusion • Multi-National

Although their geographical roots are spread out on the map, one listen to Gilfema leaves the distinct impression that guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke (from Benin, West Africa), Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth, and Swedish-Italian bassist Massimo Biolcati were destined to find one another. Gilfema has released just two albums -- the group's self-titled 2005 debut and now their new 2008 release Gilfema + 2, featuring the trio plus guest clarinetists Anat Cohen and John Ellis -- yet their recordings project a sense of intuitiveness in their interactions that more commonly result from decades of playing together. Since the group's debut album in 2005, all three artists have kept extremely busy. Nemeth and Biolcati have both released debut albums as leaders; Loueke has released three solo efforts, including Virgin Forest, his debut ObliqSound solo album featuring Herbie Hancock, Cyro Baptista, Gregoire Maret and Gretchen Parlato, which also won a 2008 Independent Music Award read more...