Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 27, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B000AR9Z8Q
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #143,549 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, has incredible ethnic diversity and rich history. The Rough Guide To The Music Of Madagascar features music across the broad Malagasy spectrum – from the island’s spicy dance music to the purest music from the highlands. Featuring the valiha (a tubular bamboo zither) and lokanga (three-stringed fiddle), among other instruments specific to the island, this album explores the diverse Malagasy culture that has been influenced by Arab, Persian, Chinese, Indian and European societies over the years.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the "Rough Guides" collection, September 22, 2007

By	R. P. Spretnak (Las Vegas, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This may well be the best of the extraordinary "Rough Guides" collection of CDs. The music of Madagascar is both exotic and comforting, an interesting amalgam of Eastern and African. The songs are catchy and toe-tapping good fun.

As with most, if not all, of the Rough Guide collections, this one is expertly curated and compiled. The liner notes are a great introduction to the history of Madagascar and the Malagasy people, as well as the development of the Malagasy musical traditions. Madagascar is best known for its unique guitar style: guitar afficionados will consider this collection essential. So should anyone looking for something beyond the same old same old. This will appeal to fans of African, worldbeat, jazz (especially Brazilian jazz styles), and East Asian music.

My favorite track is Track 01, "Tsy Zanaka Mpanarivo," which translates to ... well, I don't have a clue what it translates to. I just know I love it! But picking a favorite track on this record is like picking your favorite fork-full when eating a really delicious dessert. Every bite tastes good!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly representative of the best of Malagasy music!, July 28, 2007

By	C. Antal (Seattle, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're curious about the music of Madagascar, this album is an excellent place to start. It includes all the major musical styles by some of the best artists from across the island. It's especially great that they've got some of the big crossover names (such as Tarika, Jaojoby, D'Gary, Regis Gizavo) alongside artists that are huge in Madagascar but haven't yet been heard much outside of the Malagasy community (i.e. everyone else!).

This album is so solid a representation of Malagasy music that it would be meaningless to recommend and "standout tracks"... they're all great examples of their genre.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars evocative, December 21, 2007

By	H. kinigopoulos - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very shortly BEFORE a recent trip to Madagascar I ordered this CD. I knew it would arrive while I was gone. My adventure was memorable: my fellow workers, the locals, the setting, the colors, the scents, what was accomplished. I listened to this CD as I emptied my bags on my return home. THAT, I found, is how to make a strong memory. I am not a music expert but have long enjoyed African music. This is a good addition to the Rough Guide collection.