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Madagascar  Despite a complicated and sometimes turbulent political atmosphere, one need look no further than Madagascar's musicians to perceive the wealth of resourcefulness and creativity inherent in the Malagasy people. International audiences have mostly heard the roots pop and traditional folk music acts featured on this site. However, present day groups adapt hard rock, Zairean soukous, bubblegum pop and a variety of other foreign sounds, flooding local airwaves.
Schooled in the Paris soukous scene after his years playing with Zairean guitarist Diblo Dibala, guitarist/singer Freddy de Majunga has pioneered salegy-rumba. Salegy stalwarts like Jaojoby Eusebe and Jean-Fredy remain popular, despite the rise of a promising crop of younger salegy stars, including singer Mily Clément and groups Zaza Club and Ejema. Charting a new course, singer Feon'ala mixes pop elements in search of a new fusion sensation
Meanwhile, another powerful vocalist Randimbiarison (known as Ricky) has inspired a phenomenon dubbed "Rickymania" in the local press. Ricky's crack band includes bassist Toty, whose playing evokes the deep, droning resonance of the traditional marovany box zither. Ricky's update of the old vako-drazana folk tradition, which he calls vakojazzana, has inspired one seasoned observer of the Madagascar scene to select him as the likely Malagasy superstar of the '90s. Meanwhile, the Justin Vali Trio, based in Paris, forges an international roots sound that took them all the way to Woodstock '94. And guitarist Solo Razafindrakoto has gained a world-wide reputation in the 1990s playing in Miriam Makeba's band.
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| Feature | Radio Program Streams | Artists |
 Afropop's ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR, Fourth Dispatch and Images Afropop's ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR- Final Dispatch Afropop's ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR- Second Dispatch and Images Afropop's ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR-Third Dispatch Appeal from Hanitra of Tarika re: Madagascar Appeal from Ian Anderson for world media attention on Madagascar Civil Crisis Escalates in Madagascar Dispatches from our ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR First Dispatch and Photos from Afropop's ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR First hand news from Hanitra of Tarika in Madagascar |
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| Bands | Regions and Countries | Styles |
| Radio Programs | News Flashes | Tours |
 Afropop Vignettes: Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa Afropop's Adventure In Madagascar Afropop's Adventure In Madagascar, 2 |
National Geographic's New Music Initiative Brings Geography to Life President of the Africa Society Leonard H. Robinson, Jr. dies at 63 in Washington. |
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| Community Discussions | Free Stuff | |
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Collaboration or exploitation in the World Music industry? |
Win a copy of "Malagasy" from Salegy great Jaojoby Win a pair of tix to see D'Gary at Satalla July 22nd (NYC area only) |
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