Java

Java came together in Paris during 2000, bringing together vocalist and lyricist Erwan, who performs as R.Wan, alongside accordionist and keyboardist Fixi, double bassist Jérôme, and drummer Alexis. Their debut studio release, Hawaï from the same year, earned widespread praise for its eclectic character and its fusion of classic songcraft with hip-hop elements. The record featured several tracks poised to become anthems, among them “Sex, Accordéon et Alcool,” “Pépètes,” and “Métro,” and despite its uncommon stylistic mix it achieved solid sales while later attaining cult standing in subsequent years. A live album, Java sur Seine, appeared in 2001, followed in 2003 by the next studio set, Safari Croisière. Demonstrating skill at reworking outside sources—an instance being the track “Ramsès” from Hawaï, which delivered a decidedly weighty nod to Gainsbourg’s “L’Hotel Particulier”—R.Wan issued the solo single “Lâche l’Affaire” in 2006 to promote Radio Cortex. On that occasion he recast Renaud’s classic anthem “Laisse Béton” for the iPod age, offering a notably heartfelt homage to its creator. Later that year the group also recorded and performed alongside reggae vocalist Winston MacAnuff.