NATHALIE NATIEMBÉ – “Sankèr”
Marabi, 2005

REUNION – Fantastic! Natiembe, from Reunion (off the southeast coast of Africa), sings in the tradition of maloya, or “music of the earth.” Together with musicians from Mauritius and Madagascar, Natiembé weaves a tapestry of compelling sound: sometimes primal, sometimes folky, always cool. The songs are all in Creole. Simple but deep and exciting, this is one of the best records of 2005! Don’t miss the last track, it's wild!

All tracks great! Fo’s picks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12

1. 4:00 – uptempo: just voice and roulèr drum, a strong pulse! [about ancestors]
2. 4:47 – rolling and propulsive: cool accordion and percussion. [about slavery]
3. 3:25 – yow! Hard-hitting percussion trio and a lilting song [anti-war]
4. 3:58 – mostly a cappella, with a breathless twisty vocal [about ancestor worship]
5. 4:59 – rolling accordion & glockenspiel, a lively, pretty tune [a lullaby]
6. 3:55 – fast percussion and a breezy vocal, sparks fly [about love and war]
7. 4:12 – loping rhythm, great blend of sounds: thumb piano & single string
8. 4:46 – quick shuffle-rhythm, great perc with a sinister edge [about memory]
9. 5:08 – just voice & fast calabash slaps, an airy rush [about her childhood]
10. 5:48 – nice balafon intro, then heavy rhythm, sweet vocals [Rastafarian song!]
11. 4:00 – another great blend, with accordion & crazy darbouka drum [about belief]
12. 3:38 – whoa! Big buzzy drums make a wall of sound, echoing vocals [voodoo!]

[Fo] 12/9/05