They come from Besançon and are on a short UK tour promoting their debut 'Vu Du Large' (release date March 28th)

The French hip hop scene favourites M.C. Solaar and TTC have managed to cross the channel and are clearly influences. However, they are probably closer in sound to Philadelphia's, The Roots when they are at their jazziest or a mellow Guru/Jazzmatazz with Grant Green turning up for a jam.

There's been a buzz surrounding the track called 'Empreintes'. Gilles Peterson played it towards the end of his show last Sunday (25th Feb:No. 22) and see below comments from some of the usual suspects name-dropped in most Hectic reports to Fly. Laid back funkiness with gentle guitar and gentle horn stabs. The jazz vibe of 'Hume' also works well. 'Sur La Berge' has the backing strains of Maria Muldaur's 'Midnight At The Oasis' that has some great guitar, trombone and saxophone. Big chill everyone. 'Boston' is in a similar vein.

'Reply' is slightly faster and funky-broken. 'Dissident d'Ici' is similarly uptempo and there's a cameo by female singer in English. 'Escroquerie' is broken and edgy whilst 'Dyslexie' is a story style rap. 'Harmonie' comes in with some harp along with the male harmonies, hand claps and, this the longest track, might be my favourite. 'La Chien' is the most rappy/scratchy of the tracks with the jazz guitar taking a lead role (Sherlock Holmes gets a name check!). Nice sax. 'Lomaki Faleca' is more experimental jazz and there there's 3 short 'interludes' that we can ignore. The last track, 'Sous Titre' has already been included on Chocolate Fireguard's compilation Interesting Flavours and it is, great guitar again and some atmospheric keys.

It's a good mix of African and French heritage with the US boomerang affect as Daara J might say; note that's where the similarity with Daara J ends; no jumping lions here. Get outta the heat and get into the shade.

So how did they find themselves on a label from Huddersfield? They played at a festival in Switzerland where Chocolate Fireguard's Kava Kava appeared on the bill. The label arranged some UK gigs and a Glastonbury Festival appearance. They have also played at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Could their mix of hip hop, soul, funk and jazz sound as good as this live? Let's find out.

LA CEDILLE UK DATES
03rd March Soul Cellar, Westmarlands Road, Southampton
04th March Cox's Yard, Stratford Upon Avon
05th March Muffjam@ Bar Lorca, Brixton, London
09th March The Bell, Bath
10th March BBC Radio Raw Talent live session, Yorkshire

Links:
'Vu Du Large' out March 28th on independent label Chocolate Fireguard
Listen to 'Vu Du Large' here.
MC Solaar with TY (Big Dada) at the Royal Festival Hall on 8th March as part of Africa Remix.
TTC (Big Dada)

Quotes:
'Emprientes' is brilliant. (Sidewinder, Glasgow)
All very good. Wish I'd paid more attention in French class! (Nigel [Prankster] Samuel – 3Hedz, Big Chill, Various, London)
I like it very much – will playlist on the radio. Very good. (Laurent Garnier)
Nice to hear some fresh French hip hop again. Hume & Emprientes - very good on the floors. (Kev Beadle, Solar Radio)
All working well. Like the live production. Very smooth. 7/10 (Max Sedgley)