For today, I wanted to share with you “Mavandeza“, a killer deep groovy Afro Folk Soul Funk track from Madagascar with an heavy rumbling bassline & crazy synth parts, taken from a single recorded in 1978 by the Madagascan Duet Vetson’Androy, originally composed by Razafindranily Simimanara and out on the mythical Madagascan record label Discomad.
Serious UFO sound, one of my favorite of the genre – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
For today, I wanted to share with you “Evolution n°1“, an heavy Psychedelic Island Rock Soul Instrumental from Mauritius (Indian Ocean) with awesome guitar parts, taken from the 2nd single of the Mauritian band “The Features Of Life” recorded in the 70s on the well-known label “Disques Capricorne“.
The band included great artists from the Indian Ocean, such : Eric Nelson, Raoul Lacariate, Seekien, Atouck.
One of the heaviest song from Mauritius of that era, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
The Features Of Life – Evolution n°1 (Mauritius, 1970s, Disques Capricorne)
Following this previous article, I wanted to share with you for today “Belle Rive“, a killer deep syncopated raw Island Soul Sega Folk track, taken from a single recorded in the 1970s by the legendary Mauritian composer & musician Packiry “Claudio” Veeraragoo.
Credited on more than 350 compositions , 8 CDs, 30 cassettes and 45 single vinyl records, he’s one of the most prolific artists of Mauritius, and is still touring today.
One of my favorite artists from this island, hope you’ll like it – enjoy !
Claudio & Son Ensemble – Belle Rive (Production AS)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Avia Hilalao“, a super sweet Pop Soul Jazzy Folk track from Madagascar (Indian Ocean), taken from a single recorded in 1958 by the Madagascan duet “Les Barijaona“, composed by Barijaona & O’Suzy (Odette Suzana).
While they were giving some concerts in France in the early 60s, this song was plagiarized by Frank Sinatra‘s entourage, the composer & producer Clarence Carson Parks. Lawsuits took place, but the artists lost, and the song “Something Stupid” was released shortly after by Carson Parks in 1966 (credited as its original writer & composer !), and then released again the following year by Frank Sinatra & his daughter Nancy, and became an international hit.
One of a kind jewel from the Red Island, another historical & musical testimony of the wealth of this island – Enjoy !
Avia Hilalao – Les Barijaona (Madagascar, 1958, Ossian)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Berlioz And Fela“, a mesmerizing Island Synth Soul Jazz Funk from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, named in tribute to Ti-Fock’s two major influences, Hector Berlioz & Fela Kuti and taken from the 1st album recorded in 1985 at Saint-Pierre (city of Reunion Island) by the composer & musician Jean-Michel Fock, better known as Ti-Fock. It was released on the local label “102 Productions“, founded by a free radio hosts group in the mid 80s in the south of the island.
Arrangements, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar : Michael Fock ;
For today, I wanted to share with you “The Creator Has A Master Plan“, the timeless ultimate cult Free Jazz classic composed by the American jazz tenor saxophonist Farrell “Pharoah” Sanders in 1969, reinterpreted here by the French pianist, composer & arranger Jean-François Quiévreux – better known as “Jef Gilson” – in an awesome way, along with some of the finest Madagascan musicians banded together for this unique occasion under the name “Malagasy” :
Alto Saxophone : Alain Razafinohatra ;
Baritone Saxophone : Roland De Comarmond ;
Bass Clarinet : Arnaud Razafy ;
Bass : Jean-Charles Capon, Samuel “Sam” Ramiara ;
Drums : Alain Rahoerson, Jean-Claude Pourtier, Pierre Moret ;
Piano, Xylophone : Jef Gilson ;
Soprano Saxophone : Georges Rahoerson ;
Tenor Saxophone : Joel Rakotomamonjy, Serge Rahoerson ;
This one of its kind album was recorded in three sessions between Madagascar & France :
– A side : March-April 1969 at “Albert Camus” cultural center, Tananarive ;
– B side : October 1969 at “Albert Camus” cultural center, Tananarive & November 1971 in Paris ;
One of my favorite record of the genre, a true gem, really hard to find nowadays – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
Jef Gilson & Malagasy – The Creator Has A Master Plan (Madagascar, 1972, Palm/Lumen)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Zeny Izy“, a very interesting & groovy deep track from Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, really nice blend of PsychedelicSoul, Reggae, Pop, Rock, Folk & Fusion influences that only that specific geographical area has the secret.
This song is taken from the first single recorded by the band “The Smockers“, leaded by the composer & musician Roger Georges, and out on the mythical Madagascan record label “Discomad” in the late 70s – Enjoy !
The Smockers – Zeny Izy (Madagascar, 1970s, Discomad)
Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Réveil Creole“, a sweet Cosmic Synth Balearic Soul Sega track, recorded in 1978 by the duet of composers & musicians 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢 & 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐯𝐨 from 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 under the name “Groupe Dago” (their only recording under that name), and out on the legendary local record label “𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥” – Enjoy !
Groupe Dago – Réveil Creole (La Reunion, 1978, Disques Royal)
Following this former post, I wanted to share with you for today “Tom Dooley“, a sweet catchy Soul Pop Chanson track with Jazz influences & nice banjo parts, French cover of a classic American song.
This song is taken from the 1st EP recorded in September 1962 on the legendary label “Discomad” run by the “De Comarmond” family on Madagascar island (that used to own the only pressing plant of all over Madagascar island !) by “Les Beryls“, a quite unknown group (until this time !) composed of 6 sisters & brothers : Coco, Dave, Monikya, Nicole, Pat and RockyRabaraona.
After changing their name for “Les Surfings” and releasing only one single under that name on the label “Discomad“, the band became very famous in France a few years later under the name “Les Surfs“, releasing many albums & singles in France including many covers in French of great American standards (including nice ones from Dusty Springfield or The Ronettes !) before splitting in 1971.
Rare as hen’s teeth only EP, real piece of Madagascar musical history with a gorgeous cover art, hope you’ll like – Enjoy !
For today, I wanted to share with you “Taratasy Maitso“, an incredible deep bouncy Island Afro Soul Salegy Funk Folk track with island Jazz flavors, recorded in the late 80s by the legendary Madagascan composer & musician Eusèbe Jaojoby & that only appears on this obscure compilation out in 1987, financed thanks to the support of the national airline company “Air Madagascar“.
Cherry on the cake : that simple but gorgeous cover art – Enjoy !
