"The music of Madagascar combines the spirituality of Oriental music, the rhythms of African music, and the intellectual side of European music." - Etienne Ramboatiana (aka Bouboul)

What is Vakoka?

"Introducing Vakoka" ("Tradition" in Malagasy) is a new release on World Music Network that brings together thirteen of Madagascar's most talented musicians to explore their diverse traditions and push the boundaries of Malagasy music. Over a six-week period in early 2003 this 'all-star' cast from around the country worked together to create a record that showcases the island's incredibly diverse musical and cultural heritage. The resulting songs carry the joy and emotion of a remarkable group as they explore each other's musical traditions, blending the old and new in a way rarely heard - on this island or any other.

The project was produced by a Canadian, Sean Whittaker with artistic direction by Hanitra Rasoanaivo, leader of Madagascar's most famous musical export Tarika, and Seta Ramaroson, renowned Malagasy woodwind player. The project started in early April 2003 with three weeks of rehearsals at the Antshow Cultural Centre in Antananarivo, and ended with three weeks of recording and mixing at Studio MARS, also in Antananarivo. In January 2004, Vakoka was picked up by World Music Network, a London-based label known for their releases under the Rough Guide and Riverboat series. Vakoka is one of three releases on WMN's Introducing label, a brand new series that showcases artists previously unreleased or unavailable outside their own country. Proceeds from sales of "Introducing Vakoka" will go to a Madagascar Cultural Archive Project, a long-term initiative to develop an audio-visual record of Madagascar's music and dance traditions.

To learn more: Click on the above tabs to find out more about the Vakoka story, view pictures from the recording session, look at media coverage to date, hear sample tracks, find out about the Vakoka musicians or contact the Vakoka producer.

To buy the CD: Vakoka is available on-line and in fine record stores. You can also buy the CD at CD Roots, Amazon Canada, Stern's Music, Amazon US, Virgin UK and other retailers. Or simply contact World Music Network or the Vakoka producer to get a copy.

Reviews

Here's a sample of what the critics have had to say about Vakoka. To read the complete reviews or to listen to a BBC documentary about the making of Vakoka, visit the Media section of the website.

Radio France International (France) 31/03/2006 - Formation phmre rassemblant quelques piliers de la musique malgache, Vakoka propose la fois une uvre collective et nationale. Un fait rare sur cette le o la musique est limage de la socit, marque par la sempiternelle opposition entre les rgions ctires et les hauts-plateaux de lhinterland.

Songlines Magazine (U.K.) has named Vakoka as one of the top 50 African albums ever made (see the complete list here) alongside recordings by Youssou N'Dour, Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder, Fela Kuti, Cesaria Evora, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Orchestra Baobab. The review describes Vakoka as "a vibrant display of the infectious range of Malagasy music". Simon Broughton. Songlines has also named it as a "Top of the World" selection for July/August 2004, and has included a track ("Vorondolo" by Dzoma) on their covermount CD.

The Wire Magazine (U.K.) "The best Madagascan collection I've heard in years, this is a showcase for a score of the island's traditional musicians that deserves the widest possible audience. Unreservedly recommended." Clive Bell

Sing Out! Magazine (U.S.) Spring 2005 "Introducing Vakoka is an enchanting glimpse into what can transpire when musicians are faced with the task of introducing and representing both themselves and their cultural backgrounds. It is a testament to the genius that allows them to mingle and interact, creatively and intellectually, on a level that is at once sensitive and pioneering." Jennifer Byrne

fRoots Magazine (U.K.) "There's creativity and fire in abundance, a great sense of fun and delight by the participants ... rush to investigate this CD with ears wide open." Vakoka selected for fRoots Top 10 for July/August, with one of the tracks ("Era" by Hanitra) on its covermount CD.

Dirty Linen (U.S.A.) December 2004 "The spirit of cooperation, adventure and creativity that pervaded this project shines through this brilliant recording, proceeds from which are going to the Madagascar Cultural Archive Project." Michael Parrish.

The Beat Magazine (U.S.A.) "There are other CD anthologies of music from Madagascar, but this is unquestionably the most musically eclectic, the most dramatically engaging and the most consistent. This is my pick for the best African recording of the year thus far." Norman Weinstein, extracted from a full-length article in November 2004

Global Rhythm Magazine (U.S.A.) "Each musician has contributed something special to the CD, and each track will find resonance with different listeners ... as much fun as a roller coaster ride" Michal Shapiro, article printed in the December 2004 edition.

AfroPop Worldwide (U.S.A.) "Sean Whittaker is poised to be the next Ry Cooder ... The album itself is an acoustic masterpiece" Derek Beres

The Daily Telegraph (London, U.K.) Top 10 CDs of the Week, August 23: "A beautifully airy album. The singing, whether from world-weary growler Marovany or exuberant folk diva Hanitra, flashes with joy and melancholy in a cocktail of moods unlike anything you'll hear anywhere else". Mark Hudson

Village Voice (U.S.A.) Honorable Mention: "Madagascar supersession with Hanitra co-chairinglong on process, interactions their own reward ("Era," "Manigne")", Robert Christgau

The Beat Magazine (U.S.A.) "[Vakoka] features a perfect blend of traditional/folk music root ideas with individual compositional genius, contemporary classical, jazz and pop music conventions, impassioned performances and crystal-clear recording techniques [...] Highly recommended, perhaps indispensable." Sid Whelan.

Orange County Register (U.S.A.) June 2004. "Mixing African, Middle Eastern, Indian and European influences, Vakoka sounds simultaneously familiar and strange, traditional and progressive." Richard Chang

The Boston Phoenix - "Introducing Vakoka focuses on music neglected in its home setting and is guided by an inspired, sensitive foreign producer [...] one of the most satisfying recordings of Malagasy folk-pop available." Banning Eyre.

Australian National Radio - The Planet "'The album is as irresistible as it is unique." Doug Spencer

Penguin Eggs Magazine. Winter 2004: "The music is a glorious melange of Madagascar's diverse musical traditions, where Arabian and African influences blend happily with the music of the Indian, European and Aian immigrants who have settled on the island." Patrick Langston.

Oxfam Australia. Vakoka is a super-group that works. Thirteen of Madagascars most talented musicians were brought together to explore traditions and push the boundaries of Malagasy music. The all-stars - from all over the worlds fourth-largest island - spent six weeks together to create this showcase of their incredibly diverse musical and cultural heritage. Full of joy, it is a happy marriage of the old and new.

Splendid e-Zine (U.K.) "In fact, this is some of the most "organic" recorded music I've ever heard ... "organic" in the sense that the only comparisons I can muster of these rumbling rhythms, exalted chants and rhapsodic instrumental chimes are the clattering of zebu hooves, the flapping of ibis wings against a red-hued dusk, and the scuttling of lemurs. In that sense, Malagasy All-Stars is far more than an inviting, evocative, and compelling primer of Madagascan music culture, and far more than just a "world music" album." Allan Harrison

All Music Guide "The album capably transports the listener to an aesthetic not present in much of Western music, and an ambience that's rarely to be experienced outside of the locale in question." Adam Greenberg.

Net Rhythms "Thirteen of Madagascar's finest form an all star band that lifts the spirits from the first few notes, Absorbing influences from the various cultures, including African, Asian and European which make up this captivating island. Original material blending new and old, this really is gorgeous stuff" Graham Radley.

FLY Global Music Culture "A feast of great sounds from Madagascar is the end result of a project that could act as a template for how to record local music and leave a positive legacy" Damian Rafferty

KZSU Zookeeper Online "I so love this albums strangeness, happiness, and wha? provenance!"