Electronic Maloya from La Reunion

In this post, I would like to briefly mention some really special music coming from La Reunion, a small island off the coast of Madagascar. It is called "Electronic Maloya from La Reunion since 1980". I would like to thank @outromusic for letting me discover this album in vinyl.

Digital Kabar is a compilation of electronic music endemic to the Reunion Island, at the crossroads of cultures and porous to all sound experiences. The musicians of the island that have been cross-fertilized by many musical genres, their way of life and their diversity have enabled them to come up to the music scene with such an amazing album.

One can tell that a tradition of music was all around the island, Maloya (the major music genre of Réunion, usually sung in Réunion Creole, and traditionally accompanied by percussion and a musical bow) was the dominating cultural factor for the islanders. And this beautiful music was totally banned by the French Republic almost through all the 20th century. The ban was quite aggressive between the early 60s and early 80s. Maloya has been built up over centuries in the sugar plantations of the island, agglomerating popular sounds brought along by slaves from Madagascar, India, and Mozambique. It was the music of the poor, especially black people, infused with mystical beliefs.  It can be considered as trance music with dark elements.

Patrick Manent - "Kabaré Ater"

Obviously, the ban by the French governments did not stop the music develop in time. Maybe that's how it did not stay frozen in time nor became the music of the older generations. It blended with rap, chanson, reggae and ultimately electronic music, and this album is a fine example of the latter.

Kwalud - "Angel Choirs"

The album is also available on Spotify in digital streaming format. Give it a listen, I am sure you'll love it...