Jaune Toujours - 20sth

The Guardian 60

(Choux de Bruxelles)

Jaune Toujours call themselves a “kick-ass roots band”, and provide an exuberant reminder that Brussels is part of the European cultural melting pot. Singer Piet Maris plays the accordion and has an agreeably laidback vocal style, partly influenced by chanson, but he’s no Belgian stereotype. He is backed by bass, drums and brass – but no guitar – and the musical influences include ska, Balkan gypsy music and jazz. Their new two-CD set is a recap of their career thus far. The first CD contains all their singles to date, while the second features live tracks and collaborations. The best songs include the upbeat tribute to their home city, Ici Bruxelles, and the cool, thoughtful Réfugiés Sans Frontières, which reappears in a live version featuring the massed brass of the Bravo Big Band. This is great European party music.