Reviews
“Considering that French guitarist Franck Balloffet and Southern California bred keyboardist-percussionist Phil Bunch – aka the pop, chill and world fusion duo Tea – dubbed their critically acclaimed 2004 debut ‘Voyages du Jour’, it would make sense to interpret the title of their long awaited third album, the inviting, intoxicating and mostly laid back ‘Grand Cru,’ as an ode to one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. But it’s actually a playful reflection of the time they invested in the writing and recording process.
“In the French wine/tea making market, the French term ‘Grand Cru’ refers to a great, superior, well aged wine. That’s even more on point, considering how the eight easy grooving, sensually flowing vocals and three instrumentals caress our musical palettes.
“While all three of their releases are driven by an easy grooving electronic percussion-based flow, Bunch’s retro keys and Balloffet’s crisp guitar lines, ‘Grand Cru’ has a very different vibe than their debut and its 2009 follow-up ‘Dreams’. Rhythmically and production-wise, the first two albums were heavily influenced by the duo’s time as members of L.A’s premier African band Bateke Beat, which featured multi-instrumentalist Fidel Bateke, formerly of Fela Kuti’s ensemble from Nigeria.
“The intensely African vibe and guttural voices have given way to a blissful new vocal sensibility, courtesy of the intimate and sensual, deeply soulful singers and insightful lyricists Sabrina Williams (five tracks) and Inès Murer (three). Check out Murer’s unique phrasing and ‘vowelizing’ on ‘Drive Me Away,’ and Sabrina’s harmonic magic on ‘I Can’ for starters.
“Both women bring a dreamy hipster sensibility to the magical foundation created by the guitarist, keyboardist and their longtime friend and collaborator, legendary British Hammond B-3 master Brian Auger, who plays both his trademark instrument and the equally old school (and super cool) Fender Rhodes on eight tracks. Auger has been an increasingly foundational part of the Tea aesthetic since he appeared on a few tracks on Dreams.
“The duo later produced Auger’s 2012 album ‘Language of the Heart’. Here, Balloffet and Bunch let him go full throttle, bringing a mix of wistful grandeur and wild intensity with his soloing on tracks ranging from the hypnotic, lightly funky opener ‘Trapeze’ and the easy flowing, ambient ‘Cargo’ to the high energy rock-fusion jam ‘Domino,’ which also features Balloffet’s high octane electric guitar jamming.
“As a fan of Tea since their debut album, which I gave a stellar review back in 2004, I urge you to check out their earlier, very different works. It’s great to hear the duo (or trio?) back in gear, but don’t let the simmering transcendence of ‘Grand Cru’ keep you from buying or streaming their more Afro-centric previous albums!”
Jonathan Widran, www.jwvibe.com
“A few months ago I received through the magic of E mail, the latest album from a duo who call themselves Tea. Mixing soul, house and jazz with African flavors, Tea is the brainchild of guitarist Franck Balloffet, from Lyon, France, and Southern California drummer/keyboardist Phil Bunch. Franck & Phil first met as members of Los Angeles’ premier African band, Bateke Beat, which featured multi-instrumentalist Fidel Bateke, formerly of Fela Kuti’s ensemble from Nigeria. The group’s second record, ‘Dreams’, rises to the challenge of fusing lots of different influences while maintaining a distinct personality all its own. The entire record is so lovely and soulful that it is almost balearic at times, (Legendary keyboardist Brian Auger even guests on the album!). I must say that I find the project’s overt melodicism quite refreshing in these days of distorted drums, acid synths and massive, squelchy bass (not that there’s anything wrong with that- but sometimes a guy needs a little melody in his global fusions).”
Bob Duskis, Six Degrees Records
“An intriguing mixture of jazzy sensibilities (take a bow British Hammond organ legend Brian Auger, who guests throughout), modern grooves, Afro-beat and a variety of vocalists including Steve Ikhaman Ngondo, previously with Tabu Le Rochereau. An infusion for a warm summer evening, when the sun’s gone down and the mosquitoes are warming up for an evening meal - break out the margaritas and some refreshing Tea.”
World Music Charts Europe
“Hailing from Lyon, France, guitarist Franck Balloffet and So-Cal drummer & keyboardist Phil Bunch first met as members of the LA-based Bateke Beat - then in the early 90s they set out on their own leading what has turned into a series of soulful Afro-beat projects. Tea is their current creation. From ‘Dreams’, and what is now the second release, the production team of Balloffet and Bunch dispense the track Ibiza and a vibe that can only be described as intense. Sharing its name with the notorious Mediterranean party-island off the coast of Spain, this tune is well titled. Featuring the legendary Brian Auger on the Hammond B3 & aided by the expressive Steve Ngondo on Congolese vocals, this one percolates from beginning to end - highly addictive, and likely most unlike anything else you’ll hear here or anywhere else!”
Jazz Lynx.net
“A multi-instrumental and multi-talented group of musicians collate into the band known as Tea. The band’s repertoire is composed of members from Benin, Cameroon, Senegal, Congo, Nigeria (by way of a Fela Kuti connection), France, and the US. The songs are contemporary musings reflective of a world traveler -- jazzy ambiance permeates a few of the tracks. Others incorporate a more downtempo or trance-like musical foundation. The instrumentation includes traditional components, though a major portion of the sounds are created by bass, B3 organ, sax, and guitar. Tea is unique enough to warrant few comparisons to other artists. However, some artists that come to mind include, Salif Keita and Daby Toure. Tea is a group best served for any mood. It’s an exhilarating mix of chilled-beats and warm sounds that intoxicate the listener into a dreamy state of veneration.”
Matthew Forss, Inside World Music
“Tea offers a bracing brew of boss nouveau, French and Afro-pop, refreshing as a sweet summer evening breeze washing over lovers in moonlight. It’s the perfect party music for the 21st hipoisie.”
Roger Steffens, The Beat
“The staid album cover -- with a photo of a teabag featured on the CD booklet -- gives no indication of the unique African-laced, chill-flavored cosmopolitan music that lies within. Or the fascinating history of the project’s two chief masterminds. Tunes range from the jungly, heavily African chant- and chill-flavored “Azan Nawa” to the more synthesized Euro-funk and grooves of “Adjegule” and “Heroes of the Sea,” a hypnotic dance-chill track with a touch of rolling blues swirled with African guitars. The fascinating hybrid is seriously hard to resist.”
Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
“Tea delivers a tight tonic of high quality ingredients that bring together wide-ranging influences from Mory Kante to Brian Wilson. Gentle good vibes with a rhythmic drive that can’t be beat. When you fall under the spell of Tea, seas are calm, weather bright, life is good. Sail on and away a la carte everyday. Go there.”
Doug Wendt, Midnight Dread.com
“A multi-colored musical fabric of many strands, it can be listened to and enjoyed on many levels, from dance beats all the way to scrutiny of intricate guitar embroidery and percussive synchronicity. Tea is brewed from musical sources known and unknown, far-flung and local, and there’s always some surprise or another that comes bubbling to the surface, as yet unnamed.”
Kirk Silsbee, Contributor, Downbeat