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Nathalie Natiembé

From Reunion

The wonderfully impure sound of the Indian Ocean
Lying in warm waters 500 miles east of Madagascar, Réunion Island boasts a population not only diverse in origin (European, African, Indian, Chinese…) but one that's continually cross-breeding. So it's no surprise that the isle's music claims similar genetic complexity. Take the sound of Nathalie Natiembé, for instance. With the homegrown Creole musical style maloya very much her base (the local equivalent of the blues), Nathalie has stirred in outside influences, seasoning her homeland's traditional music with elements of jazz and rock. The result is a very personal sound shot through with emotion rawness and sonic intensity. But don't read too much in that - it's by no means difficult listening. On her quieter songs, she recalls a French-singing Cesária Évora; on the faster, heavily percussive numbers, her band sound not unlike the musical treasures from neighbouring Madagascar. Sounds like a win-win to us.

(Biography written by Nige Tassell 2011)

Larozwar

Larozwar

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