Bele, Tradition & Creation

Ocora’s traditional music series is of consistent quality, with landmark contributions from Madagascar, Tanzania and Gabon. The African-centric theme continues, once removed, with this philosophy professor’s earnest retrieval of the African-derived Martinique drum-and-chant idiom of bele. The album comprises 15 interpretations of the centuries-old style without any modern adornment. Almost all the chants are written by group leader and former academic Edmond Mondesir, who is an authority on the history of the Franco-Caribbean island’s music. Mondesir strips things back to the essence of bele – the interplay of various beat patterns marked out by tibwa stick players and response from the deep tanbouye drum. These richly accented, often complex, interplays provide the mesmeric backdrop for the chanteur who, in turn, is echoed by his choir.

The set is characterised by variation and intricacy, from the tightly hypnotic ‘Jou Ouve’ to the chant of staggered, divided beats that is ‘Beliye-e Man Konfese’, with its haunting lead chant by Benoit Rastocle. Elsewhere, the mode is softer and melodic: ‘Bravo Milo’ is a loving tribute to the deceased Ti Emile Caserus, one of Martinique’s major bele players, and ‘Tanbouye Bel Plezi’ a simple tribute to bele drummers. Mondesir’s carefully constructed and persistently inspiring project is a pleasure to listen to, as well as being an important contribution to Afro-Caribbean roots music. It is likely to be of greatest interest to connoisseurs of chant-and-percussion but others will surely respond to this riveting and joyous CD.