Les Négresses Vertes

Les Négresses Vertes

Les Négresses Vertes are a French group formed in 1987 in Paris and active until 2001. They emerge from the city’s alternative music scene and are known for a style that combines punk, worldbeat, alternative rock and a broad world-music approach.

Sound and influences

The group draws on Algerian raï, Mediterranean music, South American music and French café music. Their arrangements often feature acoustic guitar and accordion, with other traditional instruments such as piano, brass, trumpet and trombone appearing on some tracks. Their music is typically energetic, with unusual rhythms and strongly delivered vocals, and it moves between lilting melodies and faster, more eccentric passages.

Early line-up and name

The original line-up includes Helno, Stéfane Mellino, Jean-Marie Paulus, Gaby, Matthias Canavese, Michel Ochowiak, Abraham Sirinix, Iza Mellino and Jo Roz, who is also known as l'Ami Ro and whose real name is Joe Ruffier des Aimes. Helno is the singer and is also known as Noël Rota and Helno Rota de Lourcqua. The musicians are described as friends, and many of them have not played their instruments before the band forms. The group’s name translates as “green black women” and comes from abuse shouted at them at one of their early concerts.

Releases and career

The band first signs to the independent Off The Track label and releases the punk protest song “200 Ans D'Hypocrisie” in response to bicentennial celebrations of the French Revolution. Their debut album, Mlah, appears in 1988 and receives good reviews in France and the UK. The single “Zobi La Mouche” nearly reaches the charts in the UK, and the group tours there and plays the WOMAD festival. They also make a controversial tour of Lebanon.

The second album, Famille Nombreuse, arrives in 1991 and includes new drummer Zé Verbalito. By this point Helno is struggling with serious heroin addiction, and Stéfane Mellino and Canavese become the main songwriters. Helno dies on 22 January 1993 at his parents’ house. After his death, several members leave, but the group continues around a core of Mellino, Canavese, Ochowiak and Paulus.

Later releases include Zig-Zague, the live album Green Bus, and Trabendo, which shows a shift towards a dub-oriented lounge style. The band also releases Acoustic Clubbing and later compilation albums including Les grand deballage, L'essentiel and À l'Affiche. Singles mentioned in the discography include “Il”, “Voila L’ete”, “Hou! Mamma Mia”, “Sous Le soleil de bodega”, “Apres La pluie”, “Mambo Show”, “A Quoi Bon”, “Easy Girls” and “Leila”.