Voun

Zanmari Baré is an exceptionally talented musician. He sings in Creole, with a high, yearning voice that is a little reminiscent of Milton Nascimento, yet less affected; the use of berimbau percussion adds to the Brazilian connection. The 11 songs have the elemental rhythmic structure that rests at the core of maloya, but are decorated with a melodic richness not always associated with the Creole music of La Réunion. One song – the title-track – even features piano, and might be the only misstep on the album, sounding overly lush, a little Elton John. The other ten tracks are very graceful and engaging: the supple African rhythms that underpin maloya are here yet the sound is sweeter than the scene's figurehead, Danyèl Waro, with the band's harmonies and instrumental interplay making for warm, sensual yet mournful music. Voun is excellent, likely to be one of my best albums of 2018.