VARIOUS - ALEFA MADAGASCAR! SALEGY, SOUKOUS & SOUL FROM THE RED ISLAND 1974-1984 (2LP) VINYL

Strut continues its essential compilation series of Indian Ocean sounds with ÖAlefa Madagascar», the first compilation to document the unique culture of salegy, soukous and soul on the island during the Ö70s and Ö80s.

Originating as far back as the 15 th Century through folkloric ceremonial music and an a cappella chanting style called antsa, salegy emerged as a fast- tempoed local dance style based on 6/8 and 12/8 rhythms. By the Ö60s, radio was bringing in new sounds from the Congo, Mozambique, South Africa and Kenya and Jean Francois deComarmond»s Discomad label championed a new generation of artists breaking the mould with their own new fusions of styles as electric instruments replaced the traditional. The strong call-and- response dialogues, rich vocal choruses and rolling triplet feel in the rhythm sections all boasted a unique Malagasy sensibility and singles started selling tens of thousands of copies, rivalling any foreign music at the time. Local pop was sometimes referred to as tapany maintso (half-green) a reference to the stickers on singles from the other key label in Madagascar, Kaí¿amba, many of them produced by Charles Maurin Poty whose work was crucial in shaping the emerging genre.

ÖAlefa Madagascar» showcases the rich variety of sounds during this heyday of Malagasy music: Roger Georges» ÖMama» and Jean Kely et Basth»s ÖAndosy Mora» bring the raw energy of salegy, influential band Los Matadores drop military drums and Hammond soul in the classic ÖAndeha Hanarato»; Mahaleo»s ÖIzahay Mpamita» showcases the band»s powerful folk sound, a crucial voice emerging from the Rotaka farmer and student protests of 1972, while Terak»Anosy Group work around a stomping Congolese guitar groove. The era paved the way for many of the household names of Malagasy music today including Jaojoby, D»Gary and Lego.