Gérald Toto: Sweet Somethings

‘Urban Creole’ Gérald Toto is a celebrated French composer, lyricist, singer and multi-instrumentalist known for being one of the distinctive voices of the iconic Pan-African band Toto Bona Lokua. He was born in France in 1967, his West Indian parents hailing from the Antilles. They were ardent music lovers, and their collection of vinyl was like manna from heaven to young Gérald. The house vibrated to the sounds of American soul, Afro-Caribbean dance music, Congolese soukous and makossa from Cameroon. Radio provided an education in pop and rock, and the first record he bought was a Pink Floyd album. Then came Neil Young, Bob Marley and a burgeoning interest in jazz. By the age of ten he was playing the guitar, followed by the bass, an instrument which has always fascinated him, and later, percussion.

You’ll hear his haunting original chansons full of tantalising world rhythms and tender melodies, as well as some unexpected covers, reimagined in his own unique way. The voice is masterful, capable of every nuance, and with lyrics, written in French, Creole and English (with the help of his accomplice theatre maker Jule Japhet) Gérald takes us on a journey into the wide spaces of intimacy while whispering sweet somethings into our ears.

More at: www.geraldtoto.net

‘Surreal and ethereal, breezy yet bold; a musical dreamscape that demands you to stop and stare’- SONGLINES

‘Envelops like a warm Caribbean breeze’- MOJO

‘Gently unspooling mood music from a versatile French musician’- Financial Times

‘A resonant multi-dimensional musical experience’- The 405