Jaojoby / Malagasy
Album: Malagasy   Collection:World
Artist:Jaojoby   Added:Aug 2004
Label:Discorama  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2004-08-23 Pull Date: 2004-10-25 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Oct 17 Oct 10 Oct 3 Sep 26 Sep 19 Sep 12 Sep 5 Aug 29
Airplays: 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 3

Recent Airplay
1. Oct 14, 2004: Sun in Libra, Moon in Pisces
Come on
4. Sep 25, 2004: Storytime!
Indosiko Anao
2. Oct 05, 2004: At the Cafe Bohemian
Indosiko Anao
5. Sep 21, 2004: At the Cafe Bohemian
Mahore
3. Oct 02, 2004: music that doesn't hurt dogs and ponies
Indosiko Anao
6. Sep 14, 2004: At the Cafe Bohemian
Come on

Album Review
Alex
Reviewed 2004-08-20
Artist: Jaojoby, Eusebe
Album: Malagasy
Label: Harmonia Mundi

Funk/dance from Madagascar. Somewhat similar to Fela Kuti, including
socially conscious lyrics. This is a great CD. The playing,
particularly in the rhythm section, is fantastic. The songs feature
good hooks, abrupt, turn-on-a-dime rhythmic transitions, and a 6/8
time signature that sets up compulsively danceable 2 against 3
rhythms. If that's not enough, the liner notes feature sometimes
funny lyrics condensations (11). There's not a weak track on this
disk. If you only listen to parts of it, try 1, 5, 6, 10.

1) 78/156 bpm. Fast, bouncy bass that sounds like Bootsie Collins on
speed. Whirling guitars, complex polyrhythms. Male vocals belted
out. Cool, contrasting instrumental breaks. Highly recommended.

2) 78/156 bpm. Similar to 1. Call and response between male solo,
mixed chorus. "Hot" fusion jazz alto sax solo. Percussion break, jam
ending.

3) 160 bpm. "Accordion" (synth. ?) added to previous mix. Abrupt but
razor sharp transitions between different rhythms.

4) 60/180 bpm. Strummed guitar intro, gently swung bass line. Much
more mellow feel than previous tracks. Almost waltz-like 3 beat feel
smoothy transitions to 2 beat rhythm.

5) 168 bpm. Strummed guitar, hovering synth intro, breaks into fast
rhythm. Male solo, mixed chorus. Jumpy, "up" feel. great
instrumental and rhythm breaks. Recommended

6) 144 bpm. Pulsing bass intro similar to South African pop. Synth.
break, nice melody. Recommended

7)120 bpm. Either real or synth accordion, counterpoint to sung
melody. Laid back.

8) 66/132 bpm. Complex rhythms, jazzy alto solo, hammond organ
background. Nice guitar/rhythm solo half way through.

9) 114 bpm. Slower, female vocals, gently chugging rhythm section.
Lyrics condensation: "Money properly earned must be used in the
service of mankind, to help other people and not to corrupt."

10) 84/168 bpm. Soaring call and response. Scattered lyrics in
English: "Let's dance together…" Funky, coincidentally ska-like brass
section. Recommended.

11) 84/168 bpm. Intro: female call and response over percussion.
Alternates with guitar solos. Lyrics condensation: "Night is falling
and I live far from here, please walk me home, I am scared of thugs
lurking about."

12) 108 bpm. A scorcher, but since the beat mostly lies on the 1, has
a laid-back groove. Similar to track (1). Male call and response.
Towards the end, band briefly inverts the beat, then flips it back.

Alex D.

Track Listing
1. Indosiko Anao   7. Mahangoma
2. Tsy Zanakra Mpanarivo   8. Malagasy
3. Tany Tsaratsara   9. Mitiadavia Vola
4. K'aza Miahiahy   10. Come on
5. Mahore   11. Atera Zaho Ndeha Hoandry
6. Sitraka Zanahary   12. Potiky Aminao