Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The Successor of Al Jarreau
He should have been the first performer at Johnny Hallyday’s
« Parc de Princes » concert because of his magnificent stage presence. Additionally, he should have won the “Star Academy’s” final, because his voice is far superior to other performers whose popularity is only temporary. This 36-year-old French-Cameroonian artist named Francis Jocky is more than promising. On his recently produced solo album, Jocky’s voice, like Al Jarreau’s, is very groovy and lively, infused with instruments in very technological tones. Francis Jocky does every thing. Not only did he compose and write the eleven songs of the album, entitled « Mister Pain », he also passes smoothly from soul to world music, from blues to ballad, and from synthesizer to simple guitar, resulting from experiences gained while working with different musicians, such as Jacques Higelin and the former leader of «Yes », Jon Anderson. While listening to songs on this album, most notably «Mister Pain», «My Life» or «We Are», one starts to hum the tonic melodies, as if struck by a sudden desire to dance. This music is ideal entertainment in these difficult times. Not bad for a beginner and not surprising either, Francis Jocky is an animal on stage with an expressive energy, capable of heating up a room in no time at all. He is truly amazing!
“Mister Pain ”, Francis Jocky FJProd,15 Euros
Maurice Archard - Maurice Archard
FRANCIS JOCKY :« MISTER PAIN »
By age 36, this French- Cameroonian singer, pianist and guitarist,had developed his craft by performing at critical night- clubs such as the « Sinaola » in Paris. After performing with Jacques Higelin for a brief period
as a pianist and meeting with the leader of « Yes »,
Jon Anderson, with whom he formed a band called «Know», Francis Jocky thrusts himself into the adventure of his first solo album.He had the chance to show off his eclectic style, which varies from blues to ballade, soul to funk, and synthesizer to piano,in eleven unique songs which he composed and produced by himself, for example, "My Life", "Higher Love" and "Hate is Gone". Altogether, the songs contained in this album present an expressive voice which occasionally reminds one of Al Jarreau.
FJ Prod - Jean-Luc Wachthausen
Francis Jocky "Like you"
“Like You” may scan as overly simple just to read the lyric sheet, but in that simplicity lies its charm as a song. Like a funkier Cat Stevens or a more direct Dave Matthews, Cameroon native Francis Jocky exudes sweet, sunny charm as he gets to the heart of the matter. A brisk piano and acoustic guitar combo shuffles along beside him as if on a leisurely country day trip. Melodic and playful, Jocky’s “Like You” is a gem of a track and was a true pleasure to discover. Fans of the Samples’ brand of folky-funky direct expression will especially love this one.
Starpolish 8/26/03 - Joseph Mc comb
At the end of the night, funk enthusiasts will want to park themselves at Harpers Ferry for Urban Funk Ordnance and Superhoney. Those with a more adventurous palate might want to arrive a little earlier to hear French ``melo-groove'' artist Francis Jocky. A native of Cameroon, Jocky combines acoustic music with electronic flourishes for worldly yet melodic sound.
Francis Jocky in Photo Galery
BOSTON Herald, S. Rodman, 09/05/03 - Sarah Rodman
NEMO showcase highlights:
Francis Jocky
The Boston Globe, S. Morse, 09/05/03 - Steve Morse
October 2003
Francis Jocky's EPK appears "In the spotlight" on www.sonicbids.com - sonicbids
Discography
Album "Mr Pain" 2003 FJPROD
1 Mr Pain
2 Like you
3 Higher Love
4 My Life
5 So Far Away
6 Hate is Gone
7 Yabassi
8 Down Slow
9 So Sad
10 How Can I Stand
11 We Are
Radio:
"Like you"& "My Life" in playlist of French radio stations (FIP, Radio NEO)
Mr Pain, Like you, We are, So sad, My Life, Yabassi, Down slow, La Belle Dame & A Té have been performed live on radios like "France Musique", "France Inter" "Radio France International", "Frequence Paris Plurielle" and "Radio Bleu - City Radio"
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Its hard to explain Francis music in one word; its acoustic but with electronic flourishes, its simple - but groovy, its modern and certainly theres always a melody. So, lets call it « melo-groove ». Because of Franciss African roots - one can note the influences of several other cultures, which gives this original touch. It is simply universal.
Francis Jocky, born in Douala, Cameroun, moved to France when he was 15 years old. After his studies, Francis decided to concentrate only in music. Above all, his a pianist, inspired by the Jazz of Miles Davis and Charlie Parker.
His love for music Francis discovered already as a little boy and by the age of 11 he already composed his first songs. Even during his studies at the University of Sorbonne, music was more important than everything else and he started to perform in clubs in Paris and other Europeen cities as a pianist and singer.
In 1988 Francis formed the band « Class » together with his brother Bobby Jocky (who composes among others for Brigitte Fontaine) and Patrick Dagé. Francis was composer and keyboarder of the band, Patrick on guitar and lead vocals, Bobby on the bass. Short after having formed this band, they signed with a label and went on promotion tour in the south of France with the single « Tout Balancer ».
In 1998 Francis met Jon Anderson, lead singer of the world-famous band « YES ». Jon offered him a job as a keyboarder for the upcoming « YES » - world tour. But after having listened to Franciss personal compositions, Jon suggested him to form a band which called «Know». Francis composed and co-produced the songs of that album « The more you know », which had been released four months later by « Eagle Records » London. In the same year this album obtained very good critics at the « Midem » in Cannes.
As a session musicien, Francis has been playing keyboard and singing vocals with Jacques Higelin and Seta Touré for some concerts.
In 2001, Francis participated on « A Tribute to Sting » by singing the song « La Belle Dame sans regrets » in association with other UK artists. This album was produced by « Hatch Farm Studios » London and released by the label « The Store for Music ».
In the beginning of 2003 Francis called up some of Paris best musicians to perform at his first, proper concert which has been held on February 15th at « La Scène » in Paris. They were playing in front of 350 spectators. All the seven band members are experienced musicians and used to play in front of big audience. They work with artists like Susheela Raman, Brigitte Fontaine, Benjamin Diamond or Jacques Higelin. The resonance of this very first concert was huge and on April 1st, Francis and band have been performing live on Frenchs biggest radio, « France Musique » in the emission of Arielle Buteaux, called «Un Mardi ideal ». This 25-minute live performance was followed by an interview and hence, other radio appearances happened to follow.
Francis first solo album « Mister Pain » is complete and has been launched with a big success in combination of a live concert in Paris«La Scène» on April 11th, 2003.
Since April 21st, this album is available in FNAC stores in France and Monte Carlo.
At the same time, Stereodrome (Artists of the label
«Universal») have already remixed two of Franciss songs; « Mister Pain » and « Higher Love ». This versions will be available in a « lounge-version » on vinyl.
In September 2003 Francis Jocky had the privilege to perform at « NEMO » Boston, the music conference around the prestigious « Boston Music Awards ».
Last month, Francis Jocky's EPK appeared "in the spotlight" on www.sonicbids.com.
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