By Ernest Barteldes

“I wanted to go out of New York,” says the enigmatic Cameroonian bassist, Richard Bona, about the recording of his latest album, Tiki. “I didn't want to make the record at home—having this luxury, we tend to get spoiled. I then thought about Brazil: The country has a direct link to most of the tracks on it.”

Bona delves into an array of influences on the disc, which was mostly recorded in Rio and in Bahia (other tracks were laid in Paris and New York). He does so, however, by engraving his unique personality and interpretation skills into each tune. For instance, the opening track, “Please Don't Stop,” hooks its listeners immediately because of its catchy arrangement and the soulful English-language vocals of John Legend.

“Legend is very talented; he wrote the hook right in the studio,” explains Bona. “The song was originally intended for a commercial connected with the World Cup, but that ultimately ended up in the album.”

Another stand-out tune is “Manyaka O Brazil,” which features Brazilian singer Djavan on vocals, who, curiously enough, duets with Bona in the native language of Cameroon, not in Portuguese. “I went to Brazil with the tracks, and he [Djavan] told me that he had never had the chance to sing in another language, so I taught him the words, and he just did it.” 

Other guests on the disc include guitarist Toninho Horta, percussionist Marcos Suzano, NY-based drummer Ari Hoenig and guitarist Mike Stern, who Bona regards as one of his best friends. 

The creative process in the making of the album was not exactly an easy one. “I spent eight months writing ‘Samaouma.’ I wanted to say something about myself, to get all these lyrical elements. I don't write words everyday, but I play all the time,” says Bona. “Some ideas were in my mind, and after about six months, something clicked and I said, ‘This is going to be the record.’ I had a lot of fun recording it, and that is what matters—to have fun with the music.”

The bassist is also living a very happy moment in his personal life as he adjusts to life in Brooklyn. “I got tired of living in Manhattan,” he explains. “When I got home, I was still stressed, and I didn't feel like I was resting. In Brooklyn, I feel so much better: I don't know what it is, it’s just not Broadway and Ninth.”

His recording studio is, however, still located at his previous address, so he hasn’t completely abandoned the place. “I like living in Brooklyn, but when I need some madness, I go to Manhattan.”

September 6. Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (at Astor Place),
212-539-8778; 7, $20 + $ 12 min.