Ravinahitsy

Don’t let the unpretentious and simple album cover mislead you. Ravinahitsy is a refined and lively example of one of the most pleasant styles Madagascar has invented, called the tsapiky. This rowdy guitar-driven music has become a symbol of the southwest city of Tulear, and Damily has become its best-known ambassador. The dreadlocked guitarist displays the subtle ability of a consummate artist with his repeated motifs and rapid-fire transitions. His reputation spread throughout this vast island thanks to hits like “Liamboro Nomaly”, a 1997 song about things of the past.

Tsapiky recounts occurrences of daily life and accompanies weddings, burials, circumcisions and other events of social and cultural importance. Its upbeat tempo adds a joyful element to gatherings that are spread out over several days, and it often leads to euphoria and trance-like dances. Ravinahitsy is a fine example of why. Allied to Damily’s guitar is the powerful and seductive voice of Gany Gany, the hard-driving bass of Rakapo, the pulsating beats of percussionist Naivo and the rich accompanying vocals of Claude.

The tight-knit band has established itself as one of Madagascar’s best and these 12 tracks reflect the vitality of this tradi-modern scene. The French ethno-musicologist Julien Mallet has had a hand in the album’s production, and is turning out to be a vital bridge between the fizzling music scene in the south of Madagascar and the international world music scene. Mallet has already been involved in other releases like the excellent Tsapiky - Panorama d'une jeune musique de Tuléar and is determined to prove something specialists have been saying for decades: that Malagasy music cannot be reduced to the omnipresent salegy or its sounds from the highlands.

November 2007

Bérangère Bouvet

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