Islands (2017) Les Îles

New compilation by various artists. This was released by Les Inrockuptibles (France).

Gombo (Gumbo) is the most typical Louisiana dish. Comprised of a host of ingredients and derived from many traditions, gombo is the product of and a symbol for the multi-ethnic culture of Louisiana. Gombo is Zachary Richard's 21st studio album in a career spanning 45 years. The songs run the gamut from the festive Louisiana influenced Zydeco Jump / Dans les grands chemins / Catherine, Catherine / Pop the Gator to the more reflective La ballade de l'exlcu / Au bal du Bataclan. A passionate student of Louisiana history, Zachary's songs are inspired by the often difficult and ever compelling history of the Bayou State : Manchac / Jena Blues. Devoted to the survival of the French language culture of North America, Zachary pays tribute to far flung French communities : La ballade du Irving Whale (Les Îles de la Madeleine) La ballade d'Émile Benoît (Newfoundland) La Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan). There are love songs: Sweet little darling of mine / Somebody calling and a song which examines the nature of romantic love : It might be love. There are two remarkable duets : Catherine, Catherine, written and performed with the remarkable Québec singer Robert Charlebois and the magnificent anthem of hope Fais briller ta lumière, performed with African super-star Angélique Kidjo.

An ocean crossing from the Iroise Sea to the Caribbean. Inspired as much by the poems of Dominique Lambert and Aimé Césaire as by Nito Dariel’s sculptures, Benoît Menut’s first album for harmonia mundi unfolds like a paean to the ocean and to Nature: an invitation to a voyage full of contrasts and without precedent, guided by the combined artistry of the Ensemble Syntonia and two of its partners of choice !

An ocean crossing from the Iroise Sea to the Caribbean. Inspired as much by the poems of Dominique Lambert and Aimé Césaire as by Nito Dariel’s sculptures, Benoît Menut’s first album for harmonia mundi unfolds like a paean to the ocean and to Nature: an invitation to a voyage full of contrasts and without precedent, guided by the combined artistry of the Ensemble Syntonia and two of its partners of choice !

« Breizh eo ma bro ! » : « La Bretagne est mon pays ! ». Bretons de sang, bretons de cœur, ils sont une vingtaine de groupes et artistes à le chanter passionnément dans un album fédérateur, à l’équipage intergénérationnel.À la barre, Olivier de Kersauson. Le marin introduit les morceaux revisités, où l’on assiste à de vraies et belles rencontres : Alan Stivell & Laurent Voulzy sur le « Brian Boru » du premier ; Boulevard des Airs et le Bagad de Lann Bihoué dans « Le Bagad de Lann Bihoué » de Souchon ; Renan Luce & Clarisse Lavanant reprenant « La mémoire et la mer » de Léo Ferré (écrite en Bretagne) ; Rozenn Talec & Gilles Servat se répondant sur « Ar soudarded’zo gwisket e ruz » de Gweltaz Ar Fur ; Tri Yann avec Gwennyn dans le trad’« Son ar chistr ».