Amen Amwin

Promoted as an ‘exceptional collective of musicians electrifying the Indian Ocean,’ AyoZaad are dominated by the electronica of Italian-Australian DJ and producer Ribongia, who is joined by Mauritian singer Emlyn, Mauritian singer-guitarist Manu DesRoches, Australian-Mauritian singer-percussionist Jason Heerah, singer Bastien Picot from the smaller Indian Ocean island of La Réunion, and yet another singer, Ophélie Sauteur from Cameroon, West Africa. It’s an intriguing line-up, but those expecting a set of Indian Ocean vocals and Mauritian séga influences would be disappointed. Amen Amwin is a Ribongia album of electro-soundscapes and beats, though with soul, ballads and African influences mixed in with songs that constantly change direction. It’s all slickly performed, with varied and classy vocal work, but singers this good deserve the chance to stretch out beyond Ribongia’s elaborate musical constructions.