Son Egal

Son Egal is the second album by the Malagasy band Tarika, released in 1997.[2][3] It was the band's first widely distributed album.[4] Tarika promoted it with a two-month North American tour.[5] Son Egal was a hit in Madagascar, as well as on American and European world music charts.[6][7]

Son Egal
Studio album by
Released1997
LabelXenophile[1]
ProducerSimon Emmerson, Martin Russell
Tarika chronology
Bibiango
(1994)
Son Egal
(1997)
D
(1999)

Sonegaly is the Malagasy word for Senegal.[8] The title is also French for equal sound.[9]

Production

Son Egal was produced by Simon Emmerson and Martin Russell.[10] It is a loose concept album about the Malagasy Uprising—where French colonists used Senegalese (and other African) forces to violently put down an uprising—that began 50 years prior to the album's release.[1][3][11] Tarika worked with Senegalese musicians, some from Baaba Maal's band.[12][13] Prior to recording the album, Hanitra, the band's frontwoman, spent time listening to Malagasy survivors of the violence; many survivors of torture were eager for rectification and understanding.[14][15] Hanitra wanted to improve relations with Senegal by acknowledging that the French colonial-trained forces were made up of soldiers from many African nations.[16] The band used valihas, koras, and tamas on the album; several songs employed the harmonies of sisters Hanitra and Noro.[17][18][19]

Many songs criticize the Malagasy politics of the 1990s, as well as global perceptions of Madagascar.[13][20] "Avelo" alludes to the problem of grave robbing in Madagascar.[17] "Diso Be" references the 1947 uprising and the 1897 exile of Queen Ranavalona III.[21] "Aza Misy Miteniteny" was written by revolutionary students of the 1970s.[22]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[23]
Dayton Daily News[24]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[25]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[10]

Robert Christgau liked the album but debated whether its sound was "chirpy or ebullient."[26] The Washington Post deemed it "a high-energy Afro-pop outing."[27] The Guardian considered Son Egal "a typically exuberant dance set but also a brave and original political diatribe which contrasts the island's colonial past with modern-day racism and corruption."[14]

SF Weekly called the album "a vibrant, sweeping condemnation of the political corruption eating away at the island of Madagascar."[28] JazzTimes labeled it "political music with a seductive pulse and surface, a fascinating project," writing that "the group masterfully blends indigenous Malagassy music with modern notions, and in this case, arranges a collaboration with Senegalese musicians."[12] The Dayton Daily News praised the "soaring harmonies [and] speed-plucking guitar work."[24]

AllMusic wrote that "like other Tarika efforts, Son Egal has a strong sociopolitical bent ... it's clear that Tarika is a melodic powerhouse."[23]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Tsy Kivy" 
2."Avelo" 
3."Voandalana" 
4."Zotra" 
5."Sonegaly" 
6."Rafrancois" 
7."Vavaka" 
8."Ady" 
9."Sento" 
10."Raha Tiany" 
11."Forever" 
12."Diso Be" 
13."Aza Misy Miteniteny" 

References

  1. Schurman, Dewey (May–Jun 1997). "Soundwaves...". Islands. 17 (3): 36–37.
  2. "Tarika Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  3. "The Rough Guide to Madagascar". Rough Guides UK. July 1, 2015. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022 via Google Books.
  4. "Tune in on Times". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. 10 Jan 1997. p. 16.
  5. Tayler, Letta (18 Mar 1997). "Folk's Different Strokes at LI Festival". Newsday. p. B9.
  6. Dunn, Michael (April 5, 1997). "Tarika bangs out Afro beat for message-laden songs". BAYLIFE. The Tampa Tribune. p. 5.
  7. Canning, Michael (4 Apr 1997). "Tarika in concert". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2T.
  8. Sharp, Lesley A. (September 3, 2002). "The Sacrificed Generation: Youth, History, and the Colonized Mind in Madagascar". University of California Press. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022 via Google Books.
  9. "TARIKA". All Things Considered. NPR. Jan 27, 1997.
  10. MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 757–758.
  11. Marcus, Dan (Mar 1997). "Also recommended". World Trade. 10 (3): 33.
  12. Woodard, Josef. "Tarika: Son Egal". JazzTimes. Archived from the original on 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  13. Williamson, Nigel (Jan 18, 1997). "Global music pulse". Billboard. 109 (3): 47.
  14. Denselow, Robin (10 Jan 1997). "The colour of fear". Friday. The Guardian. p. 14.
  15. Edwards, Mark (January 5, 1997). "Rock – On Record". Features. The Sunday Times. p. 28.
  16. Cummings-Yeates, Rosalind (March 28, 1997). "History inspires sounds of Tarika". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 4.
  17. Gill, Andy (10 Jan 1997). "TARIKA Son Egal". Pop. The Independent. p. 13.
  18. Eng, Monica (21 Mar 1997). "Tarika Son Egal". Friday. Chicago Tribune.
  19. Blake, Joe (1 Mar 1997). "Son Egal Tarika". News. Times Colonist. p. 1.
  20. Burtman, Bob (April 17, 1997). "African Electric". Music. Houston Press.
  21. Vanderknyff, Rick (9 Apr 1997). "Making Music, Not War". Los Angeles Times. p. F1.
  22. Nopper, Sheila (Fall 1997). "Tarika. Son Egal". Herizons. 11 (4): 43.
  23. "Tarika Son Egal Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". Archived from the original on 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-08 via www.allmusic.com.
  24. Rollins, Ron (14 Mar 1997). "RECORDINGS IN BRIEF". Go!. Dayton Daily News. p. 19.
  25. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. pp. 45–46.
  26. "Robert Christgau: CG: Tarika Sammy". www.robertchristgau.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  27. "TARIKA SAMMY: EXOTIC 'SKIES'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  28. "The House of Tudor". SF Weekly. April 9, 1997. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
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