Some good news from Ottawa for once! Cheza is a very welcome and impressive addition to Canada's steadily growing stock of talented and entertaining 'world' music bands.
William Bain
CFFF Radio, Chimes of Freedom
Hot pepper music that won't sting your eyes
John Lyttle
Ottawa Xpress
Un disque plein d'énergie et de variété, qui nous fait lever de nos chaise et danser? Le bonheur!
Claudette Gravel
MusiMonde, Radio Canada
Upbeat and energenic.
Wes Smiderle
Ottawa Citizen
Reminiscent of Johnny Clegg's Savuka-era recordings…wonderfully fun and danceable album.
Dirty Linen Magazine
The tracks "Pili Pili," "Sokomoto" and "Mziki wa dunia" spring from African roots, but soon branch out into rap, jazz and blues. As you listen to the music, it dawns on you that the apparently simple, even repetitive lyrics are overlaid with rich and complex melody. Far from being Franken-music, it's a smoothly conceived and executed album that can only come from paying the utmost respect for music from all corners of the world.
Opiyo Oliya
Rootsworld Magazine
Their music bubbles with the sparkling sound of soukous and swings to the buoyant beat of mbaqanga . . . Cheza can hold its own with any number of African based acts.
Nicholas Jennings
Eye Music, Toronto
Cheza's unique blend of African and western music is a truly enlightening experience.
Derek DeBeer
drummer
Johnny Clegg and Savuka
"Cheza," in Swahili, means to dance and play. With this debut disc there's little else you can do!
Dirty Linen Magazine
The exhuberant spirit of African pop music has been captured on the first album by the Ottawa band Cheza.
Lynn Saxberg
The Ottawa Citizen
This is the debut party album from Ottawa's premier world beat band. Get out of your seat.
Phil Jenkins
Soundtracks
The Ottawa Citizen
Cheza demeure vivant. Un brin de gaieté sur disque.
Zambo
EQOH du futur
Live Show
T
he band's bright choral harmonies, booty-shaking rhythms and fluid guitars had virtually everyone on their feet. Cheza was smart programming by festival organizers and the ideal finish to a night of solid sit-down entertainment.
Patrick Langston
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Folk Festival Review
Cheza's world beat rhythms, thought provoking lyrics, and ability to work the crowd into a frenzied mass of flailing arms and legs, prove that this band has caught on to something unique.
Jennifer Edwards
Artistic Director
Dawson City Music Festival
Cheza is pure excitement. At the evening main stage, the audience was on its feet dancing from the moment Cheza started playing. The enthusiastic festival crowd wouldn't let them stop playing!
Chris White
Artistic Director
Ottawa Folk Festival
Cheza's world beat rhythms, thought provoking lyrics, and ability to work the crowd into a frenzied mass of flailing arms and legs, prove that this band has caught on to something unique.
Jennifer Edwards
Artistic Director
Dawson City Music Festival
Cheza's infectious blend of guitar grooves had them dancing and smiling into the evening.
Todd Fraracci
CBC Producer
Afrofest, Toronto
In an era of sound-alike world beat bands, Cheza manages to combine African sounds with a strong pop sensibility.
Bart Keaves
Winnipeg Sun
Winnipeg Folk Fest Review
Colourful, exciting, very alive on stage, they warmed up the crowd in no time.
Rene Moisan
Bros Distribution
Montreal Jazz Fest Review
