The Concert Concept
Inrichmint & Existence together with independent partners, with the support of international networks, in 2011 take The OWE concept on tour in aid of SOS Children Villages to South America and Europe, Paul Kwitek & Wes Madiko are set to entertain in a Grammy Award winning fashion with world music and dance fusion.
INRICHMINT RECORDS & EXISTENCE MUSIC
GRAMMY WINNING – WES MADIKO [CAMEROON]
EXISTENCE FOUNDER – PAUL KWITEK [CANADA]
BIOGRAPHY: WES MADIKO
Wes Madiko was born in Moutaba, which is a few hundred miles away from the city of Doula, Cameroon. From the tender age of two, his grandfather taught him about healing music and how to play the instrument kalimba. The pair soon became inseparable. His grandfather taught him his love of Bantu history and the wisdom of the elephant of animist Bafoun-bantou philosophy. This was responsible for an important part of his education: “it was in bush school and during night-time gatherings listening to the metallic beat of the kalimba that I learned the adventures of the father of all ancestors, E’kwa Mutu.”
In 1977, at the age of ten, Madiko became the conductor of the group Kwa Kwassi, which means “think right”. This musical formation brought together the most talented youngsters in the village, who received instruction together in history and art. In 1987, once more, Wes started to enjoy musical night of the Wouri riverbanks. He was impatient to get back in touch with the Moutaba spirit, to promote Bafoun-bantou tradition and returned to the home of his ancestors. He revived the Kwa Kwassi orchestra and embarked on a tour in Bafoun country. A group of tourists turned up, and were all bewitched by the music, including a young woman from Lille, France. And so Wes set off for Europe, with his kalimba under his arm. In 1988, the group Fakol with Benjamin Valfroy and Jo Sene was formed. Fakol played in the Netherlands and in other countries throughout Europe. Aside from his musical activity, Wes started to develop an involvement in social work. He visited schools in Lille, and worked with children. Wes took great pleasure in transmitting the wisdom of the elephants and the ancient history of Africa. In 1992 Wes went to the US and released the album Roots, performing in Atlanta and Georgia.
Wes met Michel Sanchez of Deep Forest, and they immediately formed an artistic collaboration, starting work on the album Welenga, which means “Universal Conscience”. In 1996 Wes signed with Sony Music France to release Welenga. It was this that took Wes to becoming one of the first stars of the group Deep Forest. He gave concerts inSydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, in Japan, Hungary, Poland, and Prague. The French TV channel TF1 called Alane the summer song of the year 1997. From 1997 on Wes performed a G7 concert with Deep Forest in Lyon, France, and is known as a multitalented artist whose music enriches the world, as well for his humanity as an individual concerned with the plight of children and those less fortunate in the world. Wes is the first African artist with a recording going diamond. May 6, 1998, at the 10th Anniversary of the World Music Awards in Monaco, presided over by Prince Albert, Wes received the Award for best record sale of the year by an African artist. In the same year he performed I love Football for the FIFA World Cup in France.
In 2002, Paramount Pictures invited Wes to perform in the movie The Wilde Thirnberries, and his song Awa Awa was on the soundtrack. This song was also included in the soundtracks for the German movies Falsche Partner and Ein Fall Fuer Zwei. Alane was used in the German films Zahn Um Zahn and Aus Heiterem Himmel. In 2010 Wes joined the USA label Arusa Music Entertainment and his new single “Sela-Sela” which means “Dance Together” was released on May 20th and the song features the US singer/songwriter and actress “Zahra”. Sela-Sela” is produced for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The end of 2010 took Wes Madiko to Canada to join Paul Kwitek with 2 new pojects. It’s exciting times; new projects bring with it a flow of inspiration.
BIOGRAPHY: PAUL KWITEK
Paul Kwitek is defining a vast musical landscape, integrating infectious groove-based music with the sounds of nature, exotic instrumentation, an immersive soundscape and soulful vocals. His techniques have resulted in unique musical experiences laced with visual imagery, raw energy, and soulful emotion. A producer, DJ and composer under the Existence Music record label which he founded, Paul Kwitek is quickly evolving the musical language of progressive house, ambient and chillout electronica and setting the course towards new directions. He is mastering all creative and production aspects that make up successful musical projects.
Kwitek’s full-length album Qualia for example, is composed of uplifting dance tracks, cinematic melodies, ingeniously integrated sound effects and dreamy yet grooving ambient cuts. Qualia’s depth, maturity and power mirrors the many directions of Kwitek’s musical character. Kwitek’s keen understanding of music and production began when, as a youngster, he experimented with music, tape recorders, record players and keyboards. He also developed his musical acumen by immersing himself in techno and electronic music at raves, parties and clubs. He completed his diploma in audio engineering from the Trebas Institute in Toronto and made his giant leap forward in 1995 when he produced his first track.
Since then, Paul has been relentless in producing a constant stream of very well received tracks and expanding his musical range by criss-crossing different stylistic and melodic genres and coming up with a unique and versatile sound. Some of his more notable releases include Lublin, the anthemic Black Ocean (Featuring Roxanne Morganstern), Voodoman (Featuring Michelle Chivers) all under the Existence Music label.Paul’s remixes are highly prized, he has infused new energy and polish into the works of other artists. Kwitek’s keen sense of the right elements of sound and production have also enabled a number of successful collaborations with the likes of Neah, Deep Forest and Eric Mouqet, Jody Wisternoof and many others, with more to come from this incredible artist. Paul’s remix of Deep Forest’s Sweet Lullaby was a runaway bestseller in the eminent online music stores such as iTunes, Beatport and Napster. Paul Kwitek also continues to hone his skills with DJ tours, hosting a regular podcast for Proton Radio, seeking acts as A&R head for Existence Music.
CONTACT & BOOKING
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