Jamika & the Argonauts

Given the sensational passion with which singer Jamika Ajalon screams ‘I wanna tear down the house’, we should seriously consider the possibility that she and her band really will tear the house down at Music Meeting. Ajalon combines in her voice the sultry sound of Grace Jones, the passion of Betty Davis and the determined fearlessness of Patti Smith. The music of Jamika & the Argonauts is no less eclectic. They can easily switch genres even within a single song, with slow trip-hop suddenly giving way to hard rock, rap turning into vocals or vice versa, or the swinging guitar riff abruptly acquiring an aggressive edge as though, out of nowhere, Talking Heads are replaced by Killing Joke. No matter what happens, every song features a lively groove, and thanks to the devotion with which Jamika Ajalon utters every line, every word even, the motley medley of genres still sounds cohesive. On top of that her French band also has something to say. About reclaiming the narrative, for example. The group conveys the political narrative with such conviction and verve that the audience is sure to chant it with them. 

5-28-2023

Line up:
Jamika Ajalon – vocals
Nicolas Robache – guitar
Thibaud Escure – electric bass
Emmanuel Demangeon – drums