CD Review: Razia's 'Akory'

Razia
Akory
Wake Up Music

Madagascar is an island known for vanilla, Tarika, valihas, and now Razia. The Malagasy singer has been making music for a few years with her first album, Zebu Nation, released on Cumbancha. The poignant and happy rhythms and sounds of Madagascar are alive and well on her latest release, Akory, which means, 'what now'? Well, now we have an energetic and world-pop release with native lyrics and a roots-driven beat that traverses influences from many lands, including East Africa, Europe, and America. The upbeat sounds of "Baraingo" and "Gny Lalagna" are sure to make everyone dance. The pleasant sounds of "Ela Izay," "Taranaka Afara," and "Papillon" resemble Euro folk, or even South American music, as the accordion adds a nice, authentic touch. Fans of contemporary Madagascar music rooted in authentic sounds and rhythms will find Razia a welcome addition to any music library. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Maya Kamaty's 'Santie Papang'

Maya Kamaty
Santie Papang
Sakifo Records/Atmospheriques

Reunion is an island primarily known for the music of international sensation Danyel Waro, but another Reunion-native, Maya Kamaty, who is a very beautiful and talented songstress that sings in French and Reunion Creole, makes the island known on the female side of music. The new album, Santie Papang, is a hearty mix of world music songs that incorporate a bit of French pop blends, Madagascar pop rhythms, and Brazilian melodies. The diverse cultural attributes are only fitting for a diverse island nation located off the east coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The breezy sounds are ripe with light rhythms that are catchy and airy. "Comme Un Refrain" is one of the best songs on the album--noted for its splendid arrangements of ukulele inclusions, sensual vocals, and sparkling percussion that connotes a light French style with a hint of Brazilian charm. "Move Rev" is a bluesy, French tune with emotive vocals in a storytelling delivery. "Veli" is a sweet, neo-classical song with plaintive guitar and evocative vocalizations. "Dernie Viraz" is a punchy, guitar tune that is a bit of French rock in a lighter setting, but the vocals are akin to Patricia Kaas. Overall, Maya Kamaty is one of the best new artists to grace this blog. Fans of great, female world music with French, Brazil, African, and pop qualities will love it. In fact, everyone will love this one. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Lala Njava's 'Malagasy Blues Song'

Lala Njava
Malagasy Blues Song
Riverboat/World Music Network

Anyone familiar with Malagasy music knows about the valiha (tube zither) and probably Tarika - one of the most popular bands from Madagascar. However, you need to know about another group spearheaded by blues songstress, Lala Njava. Lala creates moving, contemporary, and bluesy tunes with lush Afropop rhythms and melodies that are very accessible. Lala is the chief vocalist, but is joined by Dozzy Njava on guitars, Pata Njava on drums/percussion, and Maximin Njava on bass. There are also backing vocals in the mix, along with a banjo and accordion making an appearance on a few tracks. Lala's vocals are rather choppy and mature beyond her years, but that breaks up the backing vocals and crystalline instrumentation. Vocally, Lala is the African equivalent of Stevie Nicks. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mikea's 'Taholy'

Mikea
Taholy
Contre-Jour

Mikea is Theo Rakotovao from Madagascar. Mikea plays the kabosy, which is a box-shaped, wooden guitar with four to six strings. The kabosy is a more rustic version of an acoustic guitar. Still, the melodies and notes are remarkable. Taholy is inspired by the blues traditions of southern Madagascar. The result is a beautifully-produced album of ear-friendly tunes and tones that possess charm, nostalgia, and island reminiscence. The kabosy is accompanied with bass, percussion, flute, and maracas. Mikea is aided by some back-up vocals on a few tracks. The ambulating rhythms are more traditional than Tarika, but not unlike Rajery. The vocal interplay is reminiscent of South African zulu music. Mikea's voice and guitar interplay are quite similar to Australia's Gurrumul, too. Overall, Mikea soars high above expectations with Taholy. If you are interested in the string and vocal music of contemporary Madagascar society, then look no further. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Simangavole from Reunion Island

Simangavole
Maloya Manier Fanm
Maron Productions

The music of Reunion Island is relatively underrepresented in today's world music industry. Thankfully, Simangavole is here to change all that. Located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, the island boasts a range of highly-percussive and vocal music traditions. Simangavole sing Creole songs and include a host of traditional percussion instruments with lively, upbeat rhythms. The female vocals border on the voice of Benin's Angelique Kidjo, but with a little less intensity and softer vocal range. At any rate, the chorus of singers and percussion set is vibrant, Sufi-like music with Afro-pop vocal patterns, but with a more limited melodic range. The music is quite similar to the music of kirtan in an Afro-Indian sort of way. The songs are rather short in length, and the whole album comes in under 40 minutes. Still, the music of Reunion is unique, refreshing, and worth the listen. Buy it today. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Ny Malagasy Orkestra's 'Masoala'

Ny Malagasy Orkestra

Masoala

Carthago

The land of Madagascar has given us a host of musicians over the years, including Tarika, D'Gary, Tombo Daniel, Samy Izy, Jaojoby, Justin Vali, Njava, Rajery, Razia Said, Rossy, and others. The Ny Malagasy Orkestra consists of nearly a dozen musicians, including Justin Vali, Chrysanthe Velomijoro, Maurice Razanakoto, Manindry, Fafa Rakotoson, among others. The highlights of Masoala, which means "great virgin forest", is the unique instrumentation consisting of the valiha (tubular zither), langoraona (snare drum), jejo voatavo, and more familiar tools such as guitar, violin, and accordion. Vocals are scattered throughout the recording. The music is generally very relaxing and entertaining at the same time. The unmistakable valiha shines on every track. The sweet melodies are matched by the tender instrument playing. Not one weak track resides on Masoala. Let the Ny Malagasy Orkestra entertain your soul into oblivion. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Damily's 'Ela Lia'

Damily
Ela Lia
Helico

Madagascar's Damily is a tsapika guitar player from the Southwest part of the country. Tsapika guitar music grew out of the rural dance movements traditional inherent at weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other events and occasions. The combination of traditional dance music and south African pop makes Ela Lia shine with musical delight. While most contemporary music coming out of Madagascar today incorporates the valiha (plucked instrument), the acoustic guitar makes a lead appearance throughout the album. The group vocals, fast picking, and mixed instrumentation provide listeners with a candid view of yet another group to come out of Madagascar. Though, the music is purely south African, there is an element of European and even Australian music. The lilting melodies, energetic guitar playing, and enthusiastic percussion make Ela Lia a noteworthy addition to any African music collection. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Music of the Indian Ocean

Davy Sicard
Kabar
Up Music

The French-infused rhythms and vocals of guitarist Davy Sicard carries on the tradition of contemporary music from Reunion--a small island east of Madagascar. A region of rarely heard music on a global scale, Davy's music is similar in rhythm to Mauritanian/French vocalist/guitarist, Daby Toure. Kabar is a laid-back, "lounge blues" of sorts, with melodic vocal calisthenics and pleasant guitar stylings. Davy not only utilizes the French language, but also a Creole variant spoken throughout much of the island. Some of the songs are more energetic than others, but all create a sense of emotional depth and musical richness. The breezy guitar tunings and sparkling addition of a plucked thumb piano on one track showcase some of the musical diversity on the island. Overall, the bluesy-pop tunes of Kabar should entice listeners all over the world. Liner notes include song lyrics and titles in Creole French. ~ Matthew Forss