Ricky & Mbasalala

In Madagascar - the fourth biggest island of the world - there is no such thing like "folklore", but only an unbroken and pulsating tradition always open for changes which contains an almost incredible variety of musical forms of expression.
The vocal music of the deep South of Madagaskar had a formative influence on the musicians Ricky and Mbasalala. In general, they both play with their own groups, mostly with instrumental accompaniment. The two musicians got to know each other at a meeting in the German Institute of Arts in Antananarivo, the Cercle Germano-Malagasy, and developed the idea for a first joint concert - this CD documents the results: infectious and perfect a cappella songs of own and traditional compositions.
Ricky originates from a village near the jungle in the South-East of Madagascar. He intensively devoted himself to the traditional music of his homeland; many of his texts focus on mythical and mystical elements. The preoccupation with European music theory and jazz widened his vocal repertoire considerably. Ricky's modulations from the medium voice range up to head ranges are striking. The homeland of the musician Mbasalala is Androy in the deep South of Madagascar. The Antandroy ("those who come from the thorns") have an almost mystical relationship with their animals and they play an important role in religious rites. All these elements are to be found in Mbasalala's songs in which connection the a cappella singing in the tradition of the Antandroy enjoys the maximum of respect. Mbasalala masters it to perfection. The CD was awarded the Quarterly German Record Critics' Award.