On the initiative of Beninese drummer Angelo Moustapha, protégé of Philip Catherine, the group IBIYEWA brings together strong personalities from the Belgian capital: guitarist Joel Rabesolo, a leading artist from Madagascar, and the indispensable Toine Thys, a Belgian saxophonist involved in multiple projects. They play a mix of African and Malagasy rhythms, grooves, electro and improvisations. 

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Their first album, Vendredi Magnifique, celebrates celebration, freedom and nightlife. It is a compilation of tracks written by the three artists, blending acoustic and electro sounds, with an uncompromising groove as the common thread. 

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The name IBIYEWA, which means ‘this place resembles us’ in Yoruba, reflects their desire to transcend cultural barriers and create music that unites. Their music is an eclectic mix of African rhythms, grooves, electro, haunting melodies and daring improvisations. The result is music that thrills the listener and sweeps them away in a whirlwind of sounds and rhythms.

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ANGELO MOUSTAPHA (BJ): batterie (Lionel Loueke, Philip Catherine, Wiliam Kentridge)

TOINE THYS (B): saxophones (Sam Yahel, Hervé Samb)

JOËL RABESOLO (MG): guitares (Linley Marthe, D’Gary

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