The Babani Records team continues its quest to restore forgotten archives. In 1977, Malaaz, a band from Reunion Island, recorded Lélé and Malaazé in Paris with arranger Hervé Roy under the label "G.B Productions”. Helped by the magic of our sound engineer, Neil Combstock, we’ve delicately restored these two gems in collaboration with Patrick Donat, giving them an exciting second life.
“Ina Malaaz”, words from Indian Ocean’s Madagascar would mean “What’s new?”
The band couldn’t have picked a better name for the project, positioning themselves as true innovators for the time, merging different sounds of the neighbour islands.
Malaaz was initiated by Patrick Donat, who is described as a pioneer and major contributor of the Electric Maloya scene, this fusion of island traditional music and western instrumentation in the mid 70s. He was joined by Franck Raholison and Del Rabenja, creating this powerful band of exceptional musicians from Réunion Island and Madagascar.
Lélé is a jazzy/ soul track with a twist of Indian Ocean groove and is a fitting testament to the fusion of sounds of different worlds.
Maalazé is a killer psychedelic soul-funk gem supporting sensational Malagasy vocals transporting you to the Indian Ocean.
credits
from Lélé / Malaazé,
released April 8, 2022
Lélé written by Patrick Donat
Malaazé written by Franck Raholison
Arranged by Hervé Roy
Produced by Hervé Pratx
Illustration by Jean Heine
Artwork Restoration - electrocaïne
Audio Restoration/Mastering - Neil Combstock
Vinyl Collection - Courtesy of Arno bazin
Original released on G.B. Productions - 1977
Officially Re-Issued on Babani Records - 2022
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell