Taholy

Mikea is the name of the band fronted by writer, singer and guitarist Théo Rakotovao, who comes from the Mikea people from south-west Madagascar. At the glitzy RFI Discoveries award ceremony in 2008, Mikea performed against soul singer Sheryl Gambo from the Congo and rap trio VBH from Cameroon, and the place went crazy when Mikea won the prize. During the following weeks the band was top of every radio station's playlist and constantly appeared on Malagasy television. The international recognition boosted Madagascar's confidence and was possibly one of the last good things to happen before the non-democratic change of government that plunged the island into a state of chaos.

Mikea's three-piece line-up features acoustic guitar, electric bass and percussion. There is a gentle wistful quality running through their music. Rakotovao's singing gets very emotional at times and I must admit it brings a tear to my eyes by reminding me of Madagascar's present sadness. His songs are not party-political in nature, yet they are concerned with the difficult realities of life in Madagascar such as poverty, separation, imprisonment, deforestation and, on the title-track, ‘Taholy’ (Homesickness), which explores the need to find work in different regions. This is Malagasy contemporary music with laid-back spacious arrangements that provide the perfect environment for Rakotovao's sensitive and soaring vocals, as heard to great effect on the outstanding track ‘Nagnaia Reliny’.