Customer Reviews

Soul Makassar

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My copy of this CD came with a sticker stating that Time Magazine has called Tarika one of the ten best bands on Earth. Well that's cool but you'd have to be familiar with every single band in the world to make a statement like that. But accolades like that are indeed reasonable for this excellent band from Madagascar, who start with a foundation of traditional African music, but have added a plethora of intriguing ingredients from around the world. This is true "world" music. And I don't mean the music industry's simple definition of the term - which basically means anything non-Western. The concept behind this album is the cultural connections between the peoples of Madagascar and Indonesia, which have been much researched by group leader Hanitra. Therefore a seamless fusion of African and Asian sounds makes up the foundation of this album. The Asian influences are especially pronounced in "Koba" (which has killer vocal harmonies) and "Set Me Free." But there are other surprise flavors throughout this disc, including a surprising Country & Western influence in "Tovovavy" (I understand that C&W is actually popular in Madagascar); plus a remake of "Be My Baby," known here as "Malalako," which is sung in three different languages. The sinister closer "Madindo" shows a clear Middle Eastern (especially Moroccan) influence, with even a hint of reggae in the rhythm. This is pure musicianship at its best, from a band that clearly has vast knowledge both of their own African music traditions plus other sounds from around the world. As an added bonus, check out the fascinating liner notes about the Madagascar-Indonesia connection.

Madagascar was originally settled about 1,500 years ago by Indonesians. In 1999, the Madagascar band Tarika's leader Hanitra Rasoanaivo visited Indonesia and found the roots of a lot of Malagasy traditions. On this resulting album, Tarika gets together with several Indonesian musicians to explore their common musical roots.

But that's not what makes this Tarika's best album to date. Their songwriting has made a huge leap forward here. For the first time, their melodies and arrangements are as strong as their rhythmic sense. The songs "Koba", "Allo Cheri", "Baraka", "Set Me Free", "Aretina", the ballad "Ela", and "Sekta" are all drop dead gorgeous. The band uses many instruments native to Madagascar; the harp-like sounds of the valiha and marovany give an ethereal quality to the music. This album has all the stuff I love about the best Malagasy music. While Tarika often writes about serious subjects, this won't mean much to those who don't speak Malagasy. The music is joyous--I defy you to tell which song is about cultural imperialism and which is about rice pudding without referring to the liner notes. The album includes a cover of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby", with verses in English, French, and Malagasy. The production, by Sabah Habas Mustapha, is flawless. As usual, mentor Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull fame) contributes some liner notes and a slide guitar cameo.

This album typifies the best of WORLD MUSIC FUSION. Cultural and linguistic boundaries are crossed, intertwained, and revamped. Exotic yet familiar, peaceful yet jubilant....this CD aims to please all audiences! (And does so very successfully!) This CD is a wonderful addition to any musical library appealling to the highly trained instrumentalist to the most earnest lover of music appreciation. I highly recommended without any reservation.

The music of Madagascar is varied but stems rhythmically from its Indonesian roots, mixed with choral polyphonic singing introduced by missionaries and from African singing as well. Lead singer Hanitra is not only musician and dancer, but anthropologist, historian and preserver of the folk music of Madagascar. Though suffering crushing poverty and nearly being destroyed by a political war a few years ago, the Madagascar people retain their joyous souls. This album is one of the best of world music.

The first song "Koba" is an international hit and put Tarika on the map and made lead singer Hanitra a sort of celebrity. It sings the "secret" recipe for Koba, a steamed rice, banana and peanut cake made in a banana leaf, like so many Asian and African treats. It's the traditional snack of Madagascar. The catchy rhythm is delightful. The instruments featured in all the songs are the traditional ones; the Valiha, a sort of harp or zither made of a long bamboo stave with strings (looking like a cylindrical Japanese samisen) and the kabossy, a square guitar with four or six strings, traditionally strung with fishing line and many drums and shakers of bamboo. The rhythms are intricate and fascinating. You will hear the beautiful harmonies of polyphonic singing backed by the percussive strumming of the kabossy and the harp riffs of the valiha.

Many people find world music "difficult" to get into. But I have suggestions for three albums, all African, to start you off. This "Soul Makassar" is at the top of the list, along with "New Ancient Strings" by Toumani Diabate and "Pirate's Choice" by Baobab Orchestra. African music is the soul of jazz and is without a doubt the most accessible and lovely of world music. Extend your horizons with "Soul Makassar." This is one of my favorite albums. Absolutely a must-- hypnotic, gorgeous, and utterly superb.