"Cheza is pure excitement. At the evening main stage, the audience
was on their feet dancing from the moment Cheza started playing. Their
complex world-beat rhythms are irresistible, and their harmonious vocals
are enthralling. The enthusiastic festival crowd wouldn't let them stop
playing!"Chris White, Artistic Director, Ottawa Folk Festival, '95
The exuberant spirit of African pop music has been captured on the first album by the Ottawa band Cheza. Recorded at a cottage in Quebec, the band's self-titled disc is filled with steamy percussion cascading guitars and rich vocals. Most songs on Cheza are written by singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Weber, who founded the band out of a life-long passion for African music.
The music is designed for dancing, but often contains serious messages about human-rights issues. Even where there's a hint of anger, a positive sense pervades the disc. "I think the thing that keeps it together is the feeling that we're doing something unique," says Weber. Cheza includes African-Canadian singers Neema Mugala and Stella Haybukhai, guitarist Christian Patterson, bassist Patrick Giunta, percussionist Rob Graves and drummer Dave Hubenig.
While local audiences have been warming to the lively rhythm of Cheza for a couple of years, the band plans to tour outside Ottawa for the first time this summer.
Cheza
Cheza
CD $15.00 ON SALE AGAIN SEPTEMEBER 8, 2003