Name: Celia
Brand: Angelique Kidjo

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

7744498

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2019-04-19

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0602577444982

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Angelique Kidjo

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Verve

Angélique Kidjo, born on July 14, 1960 in Ouidah, Benin, is a renowned artist hailing from West Africa. Growing up in a musical family, she was exposed to the rich variety of music in her country. Influenced by traditional folk styles and urban African music, Kidjo developed her own unique sound that incorporated elements of both. She gained recognition for her adaptation of a Miriam Makeba song and went on to release her first solo album, Parakou.

Moving to Paris in the 1980s proved to be a turning point in Kidjo's career. The city was a hub for the new wave of African music that blended African roots with western styles. Collaborating with various artists and bands such as Alafia and Pili Pili, Kidjo honed her skills and showcased her talent at prestigious events like the Montreux Festival.

Over the years, Angélique Kidjo has become an influential figure in world music. Her captivating performances and powerful vocals have earned her accolades including the Polar Music Prize of 2023. With a discography that spans multiple genres and collaborations with notable musicians from around the globe, Kidjo continues to push boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide.

Verve Records, also known as Verve, is a multinational record label that was founded in 1956 by jazz impresario Norman Granz. The label originated from the consolidation of Granz's earlier labels, Norgran Records and Clef Records. In 1960, Verve was sold to MGM Records and became a subsidiary of the company. Throughout the 1960s, Verve expanded its music genres to include comedy, pop, R&B, rock, and folk music.

During this time, Verve had successful jazz recordings from artists such as Stan Getz, Kai Winding, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jimmy Smith under the direction of Creed Taylor. In 1972, MGM sold its record division to Polydor which brought Verve into the newly formed PolyGram family of record labels. As a result of this transition, Verve focused primarily on jazz reissues while other non-jazz releases were absorbed into Polydor.

In the late 1980s, PolyGram decided to revive Verve with both reissue programs and new artist signings. This revitalization led to strong sales for both new material and remastered classic recordings. With the merger of PolyGram and Vivendi Universal in 1999 creating Universal Music Group (UMG), Verve Records became part of The Verve Music Group alongside other influential labels such as Blue Note Records and Impulse! Records.

Angelique Kidjo releases Celia, an album that honours Celia Cruz, widely known as “the Queen of Salsa” and the most popular Latin artist of the 20th century. On Celia, Angélique explores the African roots of the Cuban-born Cruz and reimagines selections from Cruz’s extraordinary career in surprising new ways, infused with an explosion of sounds and rhythms from Cuba, Africa, the Middle East, America and beyond. The album includes performances by Tony Allen (Fela Kuti) on drums, Meshell Ndegeocello on bass, and British saxophonist Shabaka Hutchins plus his band Sons of Kemet.

Celia

Music GB