Bidaia is an all-acoustic duo formed by Caroline Phillips (of Greek and Persian descent) who fell in love with Basque culture (subsequently learned the language and to play the hurdy gurdy) and Mixel Ducau. This is Bidaia’s 2nd album with a more traditional sound than the first featuring the hurdy-gurdy and the alboka (the Basque hornpipe) and various flutes & acoustic guitar played by Mixel. Phillips’ rich soprano voice is mesmerizing in her solo songs (2 in English !). This second album entitled “Duo†features some interesting artistic choices : ‘Rahna Khawa’ is in both Arabic & Basque, ‘Secret Lovers’ has east Indian influences, ‘Basamartxa’ African ‘zouk’ influences & ‘Ze Poza’ sounds downright bluegrass.
The musicians:
Mixel Ducau is a native of Bayonne in the northern part of the Basque Country (France), founder of the very successful Basque contemporary rock group Errobi (more than 30,000 albums sold). A multi-talented instrumentalist, Mixel is an accomplished saxophonist and a composer and arranger for many groups throughout southern Europe. In 1990 he created the group Zaldibobo with Joseba Tapia (diatonic accordeon), a mix of rock & folklore. In 1995 he formed a duo with Caroline, and together they formed the group Bidaia.
Of Greek and Persian origin, Caroline Phillips was born in Northern California's Bay Area, a hothouse of a rich and varied artistic culture. Passionate for singing, she studied classical voice in Paris and regularly performed in jazz clubs and private parties for the ex-patriot American community. She began composing in the 90's in her home studio and a year later met and worked with Mixel for the first time in a Parisian recording studio. Two years later she moved to the Basque Country, learned the Basque language, took up the hurdy-gurdy and formed the group, then the duo Bidaia with Mixel.
