FrancisMbappe

FM Groove Productions

AfricaSounds.com is pleased to announce FM Groove Productions, a landmark recording studio complex in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village, owned and owned and operated by Francis M'Bappe. The studio and production company is significant as it is an African owned studio and production company in the heart of the Big Apple - Greenwich Village. It is a place for creativity and good vibes. Recent recordings that have taken place at FM Groove include Cameroon's Bikutsi ambassadors Les Têtes Brûlées as well as Francis M'Bappe's own productions.

FM GROOVE is a music-production company which implements the expansion of creative thoughts. Rooted in traditions but drifting along modern vibes, FM GROOVE is the catalyst for the unfolding of cultural heritages. It's goal is to collaborate with artists and musicians from all backgrounds who share a common creative sensitivity. FM GROOVE believes in the interweaving of world-musics whose mixed windings will keep breathing life into the international music scene. Finally, FM GROOVE supports the exploration of afro-modern musical movements.

To contact FM Groove and for additional information on the FM Groove recording studio in New York's Greenwich Village, contact Francis Mpappe at [click here]

Francis M'Bappe at FM Groove's Recording Studio in Greenwich Village in the heart of New York

Francis M'Bappe

FRANCIS M'BAPPE was born on March 17, 1962 in Cameroon (Central Africa). Between 1975 and 1980, Mbappe toured and recorded extensively throughout Africa with several bands from Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria and Zaire. He collaborated with Fela Kuti, Ashanti Tokoto, François Louga, Ernesto Djedje, Balli Spinto and Tex Soul. During this early period, he learned a wide range of musical styles that is reflected in his pan-African approach today.

In 1981, Mbappe brought together his first band, Abele–an African Jazz ensemble featuring Vincent Nguini on guitar, Bens Belinga on saxophone, and Valeri Lobe on drums. Abele caught the attention of Manu Dibango, and they joined forces–with Mbappe as bassist and musical director. Between 1982 and 1990 they toured extensively, performing in more than 250 concerts throughout the world. During this period he also performed on and was musical director for the seminal album Electric Africa (produced by Bill Laswell and featuring Herbie Hancock and Wally Badarou)–one of the first major collaborations between African and international artists in Europe–and participated in Tam Tam pour l'Ethiope–a collaboration of acclaimed African artists to benefit the children of Ethiopia.

Throughout the 1990s Mbappe traveled solo, contributing his creativity and skills to a number of important international projects, He co-produced and arranged the album Guido Vittale for Koning Plank (1991),in which Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart also participated. As a composer and producer, he worked in Tunisia on the music for the film Young Maestro featuring Elizabeth Taylor and directed by Franco Zeffirelli (1992). During this time Mbappe continued to play a key role in many of Dibango's most memorable albums, including Surtension, Abele Dance, Baobab Sunset and the renowned Waka Africa release, which also featured Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'dour, Salif Keita, King Sunny Ade and other African music legends. In 1998, Francis Mbappe moved to New York City, where he immediately became one of the more sought-after bassists on the music scene. FM Tribe came together while producing his first solo album, Need Somebody, released in July 2000.