Great mood! Warmth and charm! But Patrice also offers a well-founded social conscience. That was again apparent in November 2008 for a sold-out AB. Now returning on a Saturday and again prepared for an exciting concert, guaranteed. Just ask any of the fresh fans. Or listen to the new CD 'One' via Warner!?
We take up the thread of our previous report: A fine performer, Patrice. Blessed with a supple, sensitive voice and a master in his very own genre. With all the best elements of funk, soul, folk, pop-rock and reggae, very virtuously intertwined.
Of course we still hear Bob Marley as big influence but, so too, the new generation reggae à la Gentleman, up to and including the musical approach of say Ayo or Asa or Sara Tavares. 'Free-Patri-Ation', that was the title of his previous CD (which also included the likes of Ayo én Seun Kuti!). Patrice took us even further on an exciting and educational musical trip, with songs like 'Dove Of Peace', 'Praise His Name' and of course also the fine word-play of the CD title.
Patrice is the child of a German mother and an African father. His full name is Patrice Babatunde Bart-Williams and that's a name with its own story: Patrice like Lumumba, the first Congolese premier; Babatunde apparently means 'the return of father' (Patrice was born on the day that his grandfather died); and finally Bart-Williams like his deceased father Gaston (author and activist in Sierra Leone). But the world simply knows him as Patrice... and it is thanks to performers like Patrice it's a slightly happier world too.