PAN M 360 at Nuits d’Afrique 2024: Rumba de Bodas, Italian coffee roasting

From Italy, Bologna to be precise, Rumba de Bodas illustrates the groove culture of Europe’s thirtysomethings.

It’s no longer exclusively a question of funk, soul or R&B adapted to the flavors of the month, but of a more global integration, with Afrobeat, highlife, reggae, dancehall, ska, Afro-Latin, reggaeton and even a few housy flirts on the menu… Italian-style, needless to say.

We’re talking about this Italian group invited to Balattou on Sunday. Rumba de Bodas joyfully proclaimed their inclination for “exuberance and freedom” and the “cabaret style that has endured on the roads of Europe since 2008”.

And here they are for the first time at Nuits d’Afrique in MTL. A fine visit, to be sure.

Competent instrumentalists on keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone and trumpet, a cohesive and motivated band, all headed by Rachel, an explosive singer, inhabited by groove.

Rumba de Bodas certainly encourages movement, at least nodding and shaking the shoulders, but it also suggests active listening. It’s fair to say that the quality of the arrangements and the on-stage performance attract our attention for all the right reasons. These artists have their own style, and it’s sure to catch on! A must-have for your hard drive.