Fanamby

Amazon.com
On Dorotanety, Rajery demonstrated that he was the fastest five-fingered valiha player on the planet. Fanamby does one better by proving that he has acquired a pop sense second to none, as he harnesses his rippling bamboo-tube zither to driving Malagasy rhythms and a sparkling, folk-based, radio-friendly format. No longer performing as a one-man band with overdubbed drumming and filigree, Germain "Rajery" Randrianarisoa leads a supple quartet this time around. Bassist Olivier Andriamampianina adds a deep but airy bounce to Raymond Rakotoarisoa's effervescent percussion, while Jean-Charles Razanakoto supports Rajery's melodic whirls with lovely acoustic guitar counterpoint. But it's the vocals that give Fanamby an appeal so strong it allows the three singers to strike out alone on the a cappella "Vonjeo" with a harmonic workout reminiscent of South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo. "Mandry Ve?" weaves overlapping voices above pulsing string parts that leave room for Nicolas Rakotovao's jazzy flute excursions. Previously, Rajery seemed bent on showing that losing the fingers of his right hand as a child was no detriment to instrumental mastery. Now his confidence stands shoulder to shoulder with his talent for compelling song craft, vaulting him into the front ranks of fellow Madagascar artists such as Tarika, Rossy, and D'Gary. As acoustic music goes, Fanamby goes all the way, blending natural timbres with brisk and satisfying songs. --Bob Tarte

Fanamby,Rajery,Indigo (Harmonia),Int'l & World Music,Madagascarian,Pop,World Music

Fanamby
Average customer rating:

Distinctive finely crafted music

Warm and honest

Amazing

A welcome fresh blast of Madagascar music

Fanamby
Rajery
Manufacturer: Indigo (Harmonia)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005R2KR
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Misahotaka Ny Akama
Realy
Sarotra Ny Miaina
Mandry Ve?
Andeha Hifamela
Ny Fitiavako
Vonjeo
Mainte
Vavaka
Gasikara
Hanatra
Mamy Kha

Amazon.com

On Dorotanety, Rajery demonstrated that he was the fastest five-fingered valiha player on the planet. Fanamby does one better by proving that he has acquired a pop sense second to none, as he harnesses his rippling bamboo-tube zither to driving Malagasy rhythms and a sparkling, folk-based, radio-friendly format. No longer performing as a one-man band with overdubbed drumming and filigree, Germain "Rajery" Randrianarisoa leads a supple quartet this time around. Bassist Olivier Andriamampianina adds a deep but airy bounce to Raymond Rakotoarisoa's effervescent percussion, while Jean-Charles Razanakoto supports Rajery's melodic whirls with lovely acoustic guitar counterpoint. But it's the vocals that give Fanamby an appeal so strong it allows the three singers to strike out alone on the a cappella "Vonjeo" with a harmonic workout reminiscent of South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo. "Mandry Ve?" weaves overlapping voices above pulsing string parts that leave room for Nicolas Rakotovao's jazzy flute excursions. Previously, Rajery seemed bent on showing that losing the fingers of his right hand as a child was no detriment to instrumental mastery. Now his confidence stands shoulder to shoulder with his talent for compelling song craft, vaulting him into the front ranks of fellow Madagascar artists such as Tarika, Rossy, and D'Gary. As acoustic music goes, Fanamby goes all the way, blending natural timbres with brisk and satisfying songs. --Bob Tarte

Customer Reviews:

Distinctive finely crafted music.......2004-06-03

Madagascan music generally has a positive happy feel about it, full of interesting rhythms and colourful instruments. Like the Madagsacan band Tarika, Rajery's music is very finely crafted and displays some dazzling instrumental wizardry. The playing and singing are strong and full of energy. The beautifully clear recording helps to display the high level professionalism of this band. Very attractive music, very engaging album.

Warm and honest.......2004-02-20

This cd has become my most frequently played.
There is a strong feeling of honesty about it.
Rajery has one of the most soulful and attractive voices Ive heard, and the music is very inviting.
All in all this cd is a welcoming and barrier breaking experience.

Amazing.......2002-11-17

Amazing music, many layered, rythmic percussive amazingly skilled. My highest rec.

A welcome fresh blast of Madagascar music.......2002-10-02

Rajery plays the valiha, a zither with strings running the outer length of a bamboo tube. He plays with remarkable speed for a man who lost the fingers of his right hand in a childhood accident. Compared to other Madagascar musicians I've heard, Rajery's valiha playing sounds much more like a marovany (a box-shaped zither--the difference between the valiha and marovany's sounds is like the difference between alto and tenor sax). Here Rajery has a band with guitar, bass, and percussion. The harmonies are great, and when the full band is playing, it's a fantastic sound, right up there among the top Malagasy bands with Rossy or Tarika. The best cuts are "Realy", with some fantastic playing by Rajery and a great guitar solo by Jean-Charles Razanakoto, "Mainte", and "Hanatra", which features guest soprano sax by Nicolas Rakotovao. There's also a take on the traditional "Mandry Ve?", which sounds totally different than the Rossy version.

The one drawback is that only about half of the album has that band sound. Several songs feature Rajery with minimal accompaniment from his band, and "Vonjeo" is a cappella. These tracks are decent, but not as distinctive.

Overall, this album is a breath of fresh air. Since the Shanachie label stopped putting out albums of Madagascar music, Tarika is the only Malagasy band that still puts out albums in the U.S. Much thanks to the French label Indigo for the recent Rajery and D'Gary albums.
(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

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