Modeste
Modeste
© 2003 Modeste Hugues Randriamahitasoa
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Enchantingly rhythmic, magical Malagasy acoustic guitar fused with smokey tenor vocals by one of the World music circuit's most unique and coveted artists.
tracks
- 1 Mifona
- 2 Agapi Mou
- 3 Mamangy
- 4 Eritreritra
- 5 Lavitra
- 6 Malala
- 7 Olo-tiako
- 8 Asio farany
- 9 Zanakao rafoza
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*FIRST PLACE WORLD MUSIC CATEGORY 2004 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION*
Modeste is an ace musician, razor sharp, endlessly inventive, his warm songs coloured by exuberance, tenderness, and buckets of joie-de-vivre.
-- David Ingram / Penguin Eggs
Hugues is a pleasingly smoky-toned singer and a fine guitarist, able to play rhythm and lead all at once. He's so effective in this musical sleight of hand that audience members scan the stage in search of a (non-existent) second guitar player.
-- Jamie Renton/The Independent
With the almost endless variety of rhythms, tempos and styles, and with a growing UK-based population of talented Malagasy musicians such as Modeste, there's no reason why the unique and distinctive style of the Indian Ocean's jewel shouldn't break a few barriers here, too.
-- John Armstrong / BBC
"Though I left Betroka as a young man, Malagasy music is embedded in my heart - it's in my blood. It keeps me cool and happy." - Modeste
Born in Betroka in South Central Madagasgar, Modeste, (whose full name is Modeste Hugues Randramahitasoa) brings a new definition to world roots music.
At age 15, Modeste borrowed a neighbor's guitar and taught himself to play. When his friend moved away, (with guitar in tow) Modeste decided to build his own guitar at the workshop in the technical college where his father was a teacher. Crafting guitar strings from fishing line, he was forced to play the guitar close to his ears just to hear the sounds. He is now sure his humble first songs must have been totally out of tune.
Modeste found interest in experimenting with other sounds as well, especially those of the mervan, the traditional Malagasy instrument which is a box shape with 24 strings and is played like the West African kora. Surrounded by the sound of the bush, the birds and the whistling of shepherds in the hills, Modeste would spend endless hours imitating all he heard on his homemade guitar.
Throughout his 20's Modeste and his brother played together at local celebrations. His life took a turn when he moved to Bulgaria after receiving a U.N.E.S.C.O scholarship for a post- graduate electronic engineering degree. Although busy with his studies, he was always a part of school festivities and his music continued to evolve. Soon he fell in love and moved to Greece to wed and ultimately moved to London in 1996 to pursue music full time.
Forming alliances quickly within the small Malagasy community in the UK, Modeste's riveting, spiritual and joyous performances delighted those familiar with the music of their homeland. Quickly Modeste developed a loyal fan base that far outreached his intimate community when he began to play in local clubs and became a coveted artist on the world festival circuit.
Famed BBC DJ Charlie Gillett has championed Modeste's music on his Radio 3 programs and through his many world concert collaborations for Europe in Union, World on Your Street and World Routes.
On his live self titled debut, Modeste, (Space Shop Records) we find ourselves steeped in the traditions of Malagasy guitar all the while infused with Modeste's own unique interpretations. One cannot help but be awe stricken by his inspiring musical ability, smokey tenor and the uplifting heartfelt joy his music evokes. Critic John Renton of The Independent was so taken aback at a recent show that he was compelled to remark,
"Modeste is a fine guitarist, able to play rhythm and lead all at once. He's so effective in this musical sleight of hand that audience members scan the stage in search of a (non-existent) second guitar player."
Joined by his son on the karastaka, a malagasy shaker, Chris Wells and Mykola Myshurenko (percussion), Les Mommsen (bass) and David Sanna (vocals and guitar) Modeste's songs speak of love, forgiveness and peace. The gospel tinged strains of " Mifuna" he wrote for his parents after contemplating the behaviour of his youth.
Modeste has toured worldwide playing such notable festivals as WOMAD,Worldfest, is featured regularly on BBC Radio 3, and recently had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Cesaria Evora on her UK tour. Look for a new recording from Modeste slated for release in 2005.
reviews
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You Go Boy !
author: distant drummerFirst of all, thank you Modeste for such absolutly brilliant music! Anyone listening to the samples can see how talented Modeste is, but play the cd for a few weeks, and you won't want to listen to anything else. Spirit, Virtuosity, Inventivesness, Heart, Vision, Power...what more could you want from a musician. This is true greatness!
One of the great Mali musicians!
author: Ammon HaggertyI've long been a fan of Ali Farka Toure who I closely associate with "Mali music". I've found many wonderful musicians from Mali, but Modeste's music is by far the best I've found - even outshining Toure himself. There's something incredibly sweet and comforting in his music that feels like a magic spell. I can listen this this album and his other album (unfortunately not on cdbaby) all day long. Highly recommended!!
GREAT ALBUM
author: SHANEI SAW THE ARTIST AT PANARTIST.COM WITH SONG AGAPIMU , I LIKED IT SO MUCH THAT I BOUGHT THE ALBUM HERE. GREAT ALBUM!!