Mikidache
Kauli / Words. The Comoro IslandsLong Distance WAG 331, 1998
01. Usishange (Song of Fidelity)
02. Nifanye Dje? (What Should I Do?)
03. Muana Oyi (Lost Childhood)
04. Mwandzani (My Friend My Brother)
05. Eba Rambe
06. Afrika
07. Esheleva (Don't Forget That You're Only a Human)
08. Nakotsaha (I Would Love)
09. Mauwa (My Rose)
10. Ngoma
11. Usikitisha (Sadness)
12. Usilale (Wake Up)
13. Bweni (Woman)
14. Nyinyi (You over There)
The Comoros are a group of four islands lying in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and continental Africa. Though they have their own distinct language and culture, like all small isolated places, the influence of their larger neighbours is clear, most obviously in the music. The most popular style in this poor but picturesque country is the decidedly Arabian flavoured twarab, closely related to Zanzibar’s taarab. But Mikidache’s songs more closely show the influence of the Madagascan sounds also heard in Comorian music. Take for instance, his way of playing the acoustic guitar, which is strongly reminiscent of the Madagascan marovany (box zither).
“I try to approach the sound of this traditional instrument in the way I play and tune the guitar,” explains the 33-year-old guitarist, singer and song writer. “For me, Madagascan music is ‘complete’ in terms of its harmonies and rhythms.”
Mikidache was only thirteen when he started to teach himself the guitar twenty years ago, despite opposition from his family. After all, who could make a living from music in the îles de la lune? Soon though, he was playing with a group of young musicians called Ylang Ylang. To the surprise of everyone, a successful two month tour of the archipelago showed they might make a go of it, and in 1986, the group flew to Paris. They stayed there for the next three years, attracting attention from the French media with a 12’ single and support gigs for high profile African and Caribbean artists.
Mikidache eventually returned to his worried parents in the Comoros, but was soon back in France to complete his education. After three years of studying, he decided to follow his instinct and return to music, although he also had to work at McDonalds restaurants in Marseille, Nice and then Paris just to make ends meet! It was during this time that he met two of the musicians featured on Hima. With Jules Bikoko (bass) Pascal Pallisco (accordion) a drummer and sound engineer, he finally managed to record his first solo album, Kauli, which to their joyful astonishment won the coveted prix Découvertes RFI in 1999.
320 kbps mp3; including full booklet scans
http://rapidshare.com/files/100803286/M-KW.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/100804260/M-KW.part2.rar
