Let’s be clear. When Chic Hot appeared on the musical scene in 1999, with Mario Canonge and Etienne Mbappé among others, Ultramarine fans believed for a moment that it was a miracle, a resurrection. But it wasn’t… And it didn’t matter, because Chic Hot was another miracle in itself. Joined by the excellent Roger Biwandu (dms) and Hervé Gourdikian (sax), the quartet had just appeared out of nowhere and set our craving ears alight, augmented on two tracks by the presence of Bobby Rangell. A bubbling flow of molten lava. I think that best describes the torrent of Afro-jazz-fusion on Satyagraha, which never lets up for a moment, juggling compositions by Mario and Etienne. In the middle of the album nestles the only cover version, the brilliant Mo’ Better Blues, which Mario Canonge would regularly add to his repertoire thereafter. But there was no Chic Hot 2. Ever. And we’re very sad of that!
Satyagraha – Chic Hot, 1999
