Les Ejectes in Wrocław: French reggae, ska and dub, with a history of collaboration with Mad Professor

Although they have been playing for 16 years and have given almost a thousand concerts, there is nothing routine about their performances. French group Les Ejectes will appear in Wrocław.

“Playing a concert makes sense and is enjoyable when it's like being on a tennis court: you send the ball over and it comes back to you. In Poland it's different again. We send one ball over and two come back!” singer Steff said during one of the band's visits to Poland.

It is hard to find a better recommendation for Polish audiences, or indeed for Les Ejectes themselves.

The band formed 16 years ago and began with ska, the style of their first album, “Glauque City Tei”. Ska still echoes through their records, but Les Ejectes’ musical identity has changed. Rap, ragga, reggae, dub, funk and rock now also define their work. “Ragga Protest Songs” won recognition on the dub-reggae scene, soon leading to collaboration with Mad Professor, who mixed one track on the next album, “Gangsta Skanka”.

Les Ejectes are probably France's most frequently touring band. Over a year, they average a concert every two or three days. Outside France, they have toured Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, the United States and even Reykjavik.

In Poland, they visited not only major cities but also played City Days concerts in Krotoszyn and Dzierżoniów, for example. They have appeared with the biggest reggae, funk and hip-hop stars, including Skatalites, Beastie Boys and Mano Negra. They have even performed with Deep Purple.

This autumn, the band's eighth album will appear with a DVD summing up their work so far. The eight-piece Les Ejectes' performance offers another opportunity to hear exuberant, joyful reggae from France live, with a legendary sense of affection.