U-NAM: A soulful French Guitarist
January 23, 2008 - U-NAM, who is behind this pen name? Emmanuel (MANU) Abiteboul, a 37 years-old talented and vibrant Paris-born guitarist. The artist's smash hit, "Street Life" (a cover of the Crusaders' famous track "Street Life", drawn from his latest album "Back from the 80's") remained for more than 30 weeks in the US Smooth Jazz Charts and for more than 2 months at number 3.

"Back from the 80's" is U-NAM's first piece of work released on Trippin 'N' Rhythm Smooth Jazz record label and his second overall. This CD brings us back to some great funky and soul hits from the 80's rearranged with some new compositions. Behind U-Nam, there is a genuine musical soul that needs to be explored!

Akbar Nour : Hi Manu, welcome to www.smoothjazznow.com. It is a great pleasure to have you with us for a chat. Hey, your album is amazingly classy and has a unique joyful groove. For me, it is really one of the best Smooth Jazz albums of this year.

U-NAM : Hi Akbar. Wow! Thank you so much for the compliments. I truly appreciate it. and I got to say that UK's most famous "SmoothJazz" DJ Steve Quirk ( Smooth FM ) said the same thing and that's official I'm his "Best album of the year"! Wow, what could I say to all this. That's really such a blessing. Thanks so much for the support, because it means so much to me.

Akbar : You were born in Paris, picked your first guitar at age 12, turned professional at age 19 and became a sought-after studio musician one year later. How did it happen?

U-NAM : Well, while I was studying at the famous Paris-based jazz music school "CIM" (I was 17 years-old), I started to play in a Top 40 band, touring in many clubs and bars in the south of France in summertime. So I met more and more people in Paris' recording studios and then became familiar with it. Especially, at that time nobody had a home studio so you had to record in a professional recording studio, it's not like today where everybody can do and record some music with any computer at home.

Akbar : In your opinion why is Smooth Jazz not as popular in France as it is in North America?

U-NAM : let me say first, Smooth Jazz is completely unknown in France, just a few imports albums that you can find at Virgin Megastore on the "Champs-Elysées". I truly think it's a matter of culture, in Paris it's really more "Straight-Ahead" or "World Jazz" or even "Avant Garde Jazz", and nothing to do with a mix of "Soul, Funk, Jazz and Gospel", etc. That is really such a shame! And like I said earlier, there's no music scene, honestly, it's simply a matter of culture, that kind of music, especially "black music", is not part of the French culture.

Akbar : Let us talk of your latest album "Back from the 80's", a great body of work blending classic soul/funk tracks with your own urban-style vibrant compositions. What was the process that led you to choose such great hits such as the Crusaders' "Street Life", George Benson's "Turn your Love Around", Stevie Wonder's "I Can Help It", Lionel Richie's "Love Will Find A Way" and Roberta Flack "Where is the Love"?

U-NAM : I wanted to find back that mood and influences of the music I was listening to when I was a kid. All that great music, Michael Jackson, George Benson, EWF, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, The Crusaders, Maze & Franckie Beverly, all that Quincy Jones productions, etc. So, I tried a lot of my favorites songs from that period then I decided to do some, but at two conditions: I wanted to bring something new and fresh on my version and I also wanted the melody to shine on my guitar. I hope I have succeeded!

Akbar : Besides having chosen great tracks, you have also an amazing casting of stellar musicians such as the keyboardists Jeff Lorber and Frank Sitbon (who was your composing partner for three tracks), the percussionist Paulino da Costa, the drummer Michael White and the singer Maysa Leak. How did you gather such great musicians?

U-NAM : Well, Jeff Lorber had already played on my first album, so when I decided to do "Street Life" , I asked him if he wanted to play the Fender Rhodes on it, he accepted. For the others musicians it's all about contacts. I did several trips in Los Angeles, where I met a lot of musicians and artists, so now I have a lot of friends on the "SmoothJazz" scene.
But working with Paulinho was just amazing, he's a living legend and being in the studio with him was like a dream come true. The same with Mike White, he's one of my favorite drummers, he's the "Groove Maestro"; he has been Maze and Frankie Beverly's drummer for almost 20 years and he is one of the most sought after session musicians (George Benson Al Jarreau, etc. ). Wow, and now he's a real good friend!

Akbar : Furthermore, you have not neglected your Parisian roots, as you are surrounded by great strings (performed by the Paris-based Merkevah Orchesra and the M.A's Strings section) and incredible horns (performed by the Paris Horns). So, "Paris will be always Paris for you" (laughs!).

U-NAM : I was born and raised in Paris. I spent 37 years in Paris and my son was born there. I have all my family and my friends. And so many memories there, so obviously "Paris will always be Paris for me "

Akbar : The famous guitarist George Benson seems to be one of your greatest influences. On the album, you perform his smash hit "Turn Your Love Around", where Benson sings without performing his instrument and one of your own compositions called "Mister G.B". Did you have the opportunity to meet this great artist?

U-NAM : Well, I met him twice but very quickly. I had the chance that he played three songs with my guitar on a private party in Paris. I would love to meet him longer and have a real discussion with him. I will tell him how much he has influenced me and how much I love his playing, his voice and his music. He is my favourite artist of all times. I would like to jam and work with him. Well maybe one day!

Akbar : So far you have always lived in France, but intend to move to the USA. What are the main reasons behind this decision?

U-NAM : South California weather and palm trees! More seriously, it's for my career, there's so much going on for me now in the US; so, it is a logical process and I have a lot of friends and contacts in Los Angeles now. I would like to be able to do more and more gigs, perform and collaborate with as many people as possible. It will also be easier for me!

Akbar : Frank Sitbon, your writing partner on the album, has studied keyboards in North America, but chose to come back to France, whereas you studied guitar at the Paris-based CIM (the first European school for jazz music) and now seem to move to the USA. Would you have liked to be more famous in your home country?

U-NAM : No, honestly speaking! I did what I had to do in France, when I was really into production work. I've worked with all the artists and musicians I wanted to work with. In Paris I really got some problems with the people working in the major labels, they are deaf! They just know how to sell a product, like a yogurt, they all come from business schools and do not understand artists, music and creativity. That's why I stopped there!

Akbar : What are your current and future musical projects for next year?

U-NAM : Well, hopefully, more and more gigs, shows and festivals in the USA! I just love to perform live! It's always different, that's what I like, trying things, doing different solos than on the record and stuff like that. But, what I really prefer is to share my music and my emotions with the audience!

And I could say already there's one gig, I'm really looking forward to, is the "Dave Koz & Friends" cruise in 2008.

I'm on the artist line-up and what a line-up, Dave Koz, George Duke ,Eric Benet, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler etc… that's gonna be AMAZING ! And I never did a cruise in my life so …..I'm really excited about it!

Otherwise, I'm already working on my new album! I've got already everything written and I got lot lot of material! I'm in the recording procees right now. I will also include some vocals tracks with some of my favourites Soul singers and good friends, Rahsaan Patterson, Marva King (from Prince's New Power Generation), but the smooth jazz fans will not be disappointed, because I have some great stuffs for them, some surprises as well, about the line up, it should the same musicians, Mike White, Alex Al, Franck Sitbon, Denis Benarosh, the Paris Horns and some special guests!

Furthermore, I will appear soon on a Stevie Wonder's tribute, it's a project called "G-Fire", it's their third album, and the concept is really interesting, because it is all about guitars, there are different guitar players from various genres (Rock, Jazz, Fusion, etc. ) and I'll be the one doing the "Smooth Jazz" track and I'm producing it ! That's going to be a great project, I'm really glad to be a part of it, especially knowing that Stevie Wonder is one of my favorite artists and the track I've chosen is not one of his most famous tunes, but it is an amazing "Soul Funky" song!

Akbar : Dear Manu, I thank you so much for your time and I wish you a great 2008!

U-NAM : Thanks so much to you ! Peace !

Read the 2010 interview with N-NAME