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“A great voice of Africa”
...La voix de Maciré Sylla a toutes les vertus qu’un pont peut se vanter d’avoir......Elle est magique, déborde de vitalité et d’émotions fortes ...GHI, 10 mai 2003
... Frais et pétillant ...
...Mélange de styles et de savoir-faire, le groupe musical de cette chanteuse s’impose admirablement dans le monde du show-biz guinéen ... Afrobiz/F, 2002.
.. Sylla is a potent, emotional frontwoman in the belting of ArethaFranklin... Newark Star-Ledger/USA, 2002.
...Maya Irafama uses both African and European musicians in the band, andat a guess that's one of the reasons everything fires on all cylinders -Everybody's is doing what they're good at and comes naturally » fRoots/GB, 2001.
...Autre bête de scène, Maciré Sylla est de ces femmes qui portent en elle, malgré l’exil prolongé, un patrimoine vivant ...Le Temps, 6 juin 2001.
Le Figaro
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·...Un nouveau métissage musical africain vient nous faire danser et rêver de vacances ......Voix sensuelle et charme venus de Guinée...Journal du Chablais, mai 2001.
M. Cédric Asséo47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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Photo: Thomas Dorn
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Maciré Sylla , is a citizen of the capital of Guinea, a country who has the oldest post colonial musical heritage and influenced much of other wet africains neighbours since it independence in 1960. While being in Conakry, Maciré spend several years of her childhood with her grandparents in the countryside. Her granmother taught her the old songs giving her traditional roots and a musical legacy.At a tender age, she entered the Soleil d’Afrique ballet and became after a few years, solo singer and dancer. She then joined
The Music“Maciré Sylla, a Soussou singer from Guinée who was once a member of Fatala, takes the more well-trodden route in that her outside influences are from the inevitable America, Caribbeean and Europe. But unlike many who’ve taken that path in West Africa, she pretty much pulls it off, integrating some tough (jazz) funk, reggae and rock in a way that fits hand-in-glove with the Guinéean melodies. Recorded in swizerland, Maya Irafama uses both African and European musicians in the band, and at guess that’s one of the reasons everything fires on all cylinders - everybody’s doing what they’re good at and comes naturally rather than trying to adapt to half understood foreign techniques in either direction. Maciré Sylla herself has a good expressive voice straight out of djelimousso central casting - she’s not from a griot family but learned the old songs from her rural
thelive line uu of Fatala, the Guinean band who recorded for Peter Gabriel’s Real World label. Several tours in Europe and North America made Maciré feel that time had come to realize her own dreams and to pursue her own career which she did with a first album called “ Mariama” in 1997. Maciré Sylla was awarded "yearly discovery" in Guinea and other West African countries. The success in Guinea led her to record new albumsIn Guinea, most of the singers are of the griots-cast who use use the Malenke language. By giving a modern treatment to music and lyricss of Soussou origin, this artist of Basse-Côte enjoys an astonishing success in her country. Being herself from both side of the social spectrum, the city and the countryside, her aim is to make afusion of these worlds
grandmother - and belts it well. And I liked the sleeve typo where Florence Chitacumbi is described as on “backing vocals”. Quite ! Ian Anderson - FRoots Magazine june 2001
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M. Cédric Asséo47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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The originality of the musical style of Maciré Sylla lies in the mixture of these different cultures, styles and know-how.Macire Sylla succeeds in the difficult task of linking African
contemporary music with modern Western melodies.
"Maya Irafama",Maciré Sylla's second album, fresh and sparkling, embodies the new African musical tendencies with
liveliness"Maya Irafama" is being distributed worldwide
by Trace, COD music.Maciré currently sings in various European venues with her band, lead by Cédric Asséo.
MariamaDjembé-Faré productions1996Distribution: Arcade ref: DME20Titres: A Foto Io, Na Mari, Kébando. Bora; Saboui, Soko, Di Langara, Guiné-Faré
Maya IrafamaLabel Trace 2002Référence: Trace 38802Titres: Darirono, Wombéré, Diè, Sougué, Aïdara, L’Amour Est Sorcier, Diabana, Njama, Viens -Jouer, Lagnifan
SarefiArion, Ethnomad, Paris 2004Distribution: Arion ref: ARN 64649Titles: Woyalla, Sarefi, Cé Nionmanè, Kébando, Ranoun, Tinabora, Niaroui Moufan, N’Na, Saboui, Oublier
MassaDjembé-Faré productions 2005Distribution: ref: DFCD 38518Titles: Massa,Perenperen, Féfanyi, Oublier, Tinabora, Niaroui Moufan, Dubreka, Kinsikouyé, Yoroko, Tinarafé
Maciré Sylla is one of West Africa's leading voices.Her first album "Mariama" sold more
than 200'000 copies in Africa alone, and won her "Guinea best singer of the year" award in 1998.Her first album "Mariama" sold more than 200'000 copies in Africa alone, and won her "Guinea best
singer of the year" award in 1998.
Compilations
Women’s World VoicesBlueFlame/BMG, 2002
FRoots Magazine 2002
Urban Africa NowCODMusic. 2002
Internet commentary...Vraiment super, a acquérir absolument. Rokia
traoré, Maciré Sylla, même combat. Laurent Lebrun
Magnifique album, que dire de plus, un jolie voyage, un son magnifique, à écouter.
Marc Leguy
M ca éi r S ly l a
M. Cédric Asséo47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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Discography
..Le nouvel album de Maciré Sylla”Maya Irafana”, dix titres sensuels et dansants pleins de jazz, de funk et de reggae africain, d’où se détache la voix magique de Maciré ...... la chanteuse Maciré Sylla à la voix chaude, ne manque pas de susciter des émotions chez un public qu’elle transporte entre douceur et puissance ...Le Courrier, 23 mai 2004.
2004* Montreux (CH) 13/05/04* Conakry (GN) 19/05/04* Kindia (GN) 21/05/04* Mamou (GN) 24/05/04* Bremen, (D) 27/05/04* Bonn, (D) 3/06/04* Herdecke (D) 6/06/04* Harlingen (NL) 17/06/04* Kassel (D) 1 8/06/04* Hannover (D) 19/06/04* Hannover (D) 20/06/04* Fabione ,Ticino (CH) 26/06/04* Village Tropical, Genève (CH) 29/07/04* Bain des Pâquis, Genève (CH) 30/07/04* African Madonna Festival - (D) 31/07/04* Salle des fêtes de Renens (CH) 4/09/04* Francophonies du Liousin, F) 28/09/04* Basel ,African night - (CH) 2/10/04*Rencontres Toucouleurs (F) 15/10/042003* Salle communale des Eaux-Vives, Genève 22/11/03* Théâtre de l’Alhambra, Genève 21/11/03* Théâtre de Val-les-Bains (F) 18/10/03* Village d’Aigues Verte, Genève 15/10/03* Africa Sogué, Onex, Suisse 12/09/03* Hashiba,Den Haag, Hollande (fest.) 24/08/03* Eecklo, Belgique (fest.) 7/08/03* Bain des Pâquis, Genève 02/08/03* Pireneos Sur, Espagne (fest.) 29/07/03* Open Sky, Hermance (fest.) 19/07/03* Brunnen, Suisse 30/06/03* Valence, France 28/06/03* Ateliers d’Ethnomusicologie, Genève 21/06/03* Plan-les-Ouattes, Genève 20/06/03* Cruseilles, France 18/06/03* Festival des Résidences de Belfort , France 25/05/03
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Group build up:
Maciré Sylla: lead vocal, dancingA!issata N’Diaye: backing vocals, dancingCédric Asséo: flute, sax., percussions Laye Kane: guitarIgnass Fofana: bass guitarPatrice Garnero: keyboardsPapa Diongue: drums. congas
Maciré Sylla is on the way to succeed in the difficult venture enabling the meeting beetween the contemporary african music which is still largerly traditional together with the western modern music. It is rather seldom to preserve both tendencies: on the one hand, the African music with its polyrithmic richness and strange harmonies that grate from time to time our well tempered ears and, the Western Music its
* Café Gambrinus, Saint-Gall 25/04/03* L’Illiade, Illkirch, France, 11/04/03* Bird’s eye, Basel 16/03/03* Café Mokka, Genève 14/03/032002* Spectacles Onésiens, Genève 22/11/02* Spectacles Onésiens, Genève 21/11/02* Bird’s eye, Basel 17/11/02* Neuchâtel, Expo 02 13/ 09/02* Neuchâtel, Expo 02 12/ 09/02* Neuchâtel, Expo 02 11/ 09/02* Neuchâtel, Expo 02 10/ 09/02* Ethnofolies de Porrentruy 30/08/02* Nurnberg, Germany 26/07/02* Festival Jazz de Montreux 20/07/02* Festival, Marseilles 22/06/02* Murten, Expo 02 8/06/02* Yverdon, Expo 02 1/06/02* Festival de la BD Sierre 31/05/02* Festival, Belfort (F) 25/05/02* Bird’s eye, Basel 12/05/02* Piment Rouge, Genève 11/05/02* Café Mokka, Thun 10/05/02* Ateliers Volants, Lausanne 27/04/02* Bird’s eye, Basel 21/04/022001* Gambrinus, St.-Gall 23/11/01* Kaufleuten, Zürich 18/11/01* Citrons Masqués, Yverdon 15/11/01* Lady Consult, Basel 6/11/01* Fête de la musique, Chat Noir., Genève 24/06/01.* Fête de la musique, Genève 23/06/01.* Festival deSoleure 22/06/01* Festival de Bursa, Turkey 7/06/01* Sierre 2/06/01* Stäfa 30/05/01* Zürich 26/05/01*Salle des fêtes de St--Genis, France 15/04/01* AMR, Genève 23/03/01* La Traverse, Genève 25/05/01M. Cédric Asséo
47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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rather scientific musical arrangements together with its breathings and nuances. In the begining, everything seems to separate both genres: the principle of the African music
consist in producing something that already exists within a very limited renewal margin, whereas modern Western music is open to any oportunities and encounters François Koklaere,
M ca éi r S ly l aPress
M. Cédric Asséo47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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Press reviews USA ˆ August 2001MACIRÉ SYLLA „MAYA IRAFAMA‰
FOLK ROOTS. Thought the Macire Sylla CD was brilliant. Great review, included track Diabala from album in compilation (covermount, subscription premium), calls it "new-tech Guinean music from former Fatala member." Eventually will schedule an in-person interview with Maciré.
CD NOW. Macire Sylla review:
Guinea's Maciré Sylla is a singer and dancer who infuses her hard, contemporary Afropop with the traditional Soussou sounds of her people. This was a big risk in a country where music has customarily been dominated by Malenke-speaking male griots; but when her 1997 debut, Mariama, yielded the hit "L'Amour Est Sorcier," fans in her hometown of Conakry and beyond took her to heart and made her a star. Now, she returns with the polished, confident Maya Irafama -- an album that's sure to solidify her status at home while introducing her to a whole new audience abroad.
Maciré's sound is straightforward Afropop -- funky drums, bouncy bass, sparkling guitars, lush keyboards, and horns that stray between dirty exuberance and smooth elegance -- and it's not very different from most of the glossy Francophone African pop churned out in Paris these days. Granted,the production here is better than most -- the gloss never overpowers the music -- and there's a distinctly hard edge to some of the tracks here (check the Clyde Stubblefield-style drumming on the opening track, "Darirono"). But what makes Maya Irafama stand out is Maciré's commandingvocal performance.
Maciré got her start performing as a teenager with the Soliel d'Afrique ballet, and one can hear the lessons she learned with that rigorous group in every note and inflection. Whether her backing group is laying down roots-reggae-inspired, dancefloor grooves as on "Lagnifan," or hot, propulsive funk as on "Wombéré," she belts out her vocals with a fierceness and phrasing that's simply arresting -- whether you understand what she's saying or not. Maya Irafama is the sound of a future African superstar being born.
Tom PryorCDNOW Senior Editor, World
ALL MUSIC GUIDEMaya IrafamaMacire Sylla Reviews
Like so many other African countries, Guinea has both traditional tribal griots and modern, Western-influenced pop artists; Maciré Sylla is an appealing example of the latter. Maya Irafama, her second album in the U.S., contains elements of traditional West African music, but it is very much a pop album -- and on tracks like "Njama" and "Wombéré," she provides a very fresh-sounding East/West hybrid. African-American R&B (both classic Northern soul and urban contemporary) is a major influence on this chance-taking CD; like a lot of the R&B singers who emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, Sylla manages to be sleek and gritty at the same time. If you can envision a West African pop equivalent of Evelyn "Champagne" King or Chaka Khan, you can imagine what Maya Irafama sounds like. And R&B isn't the only Western style that has influenced Sylla; Afro-Brazilian and jazz elements occasionally assert themselves, and the singer employs a reggae beat on "Lagnifan" and "Dié." Enthusiastically recommended to lovers of African pop, Maya Irafama is an exciting example of the influence that black music from the Americas is having thousands of miles away in Africa.
~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
NEWARK STAR-LEDGER"Maya Irafama" Macire Sylla (Trace) THREE STARS
One of the cool things about African pop is the way it both echoes American R&B and extends it. There's usually a gap of about 10 or 15 years...witness the influence of late '60s James Brown in Fela's records of the early 1980s, or the synthesized hip-hop beats percolating through Baaba Maal's music ten years later.This delay, rather than evidence of being behind the times, actually sharpens the music's resonance, the African musicians‚ choices alternately ratifying and defining the work of their diaspora brethren.In this case, former Soleil d'Afrique singer and dancer Macire Sylla brings something new to the usual mix of traditional harmonies, multi-layered percussion, and occasional reggae that makes up the current standard of African dance music. Her first solo album includes all this, plus a healthy dose of the
M. Cédric Asséo47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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In this case, former Soleil d'Afrique singer and dancer Macire Sylla brings something new to the usual mix of traditional harmonies, multi-layered percussion, and occasional reggae that makes up the current standard of African dance music. Her first solo album includes all this, plus a healthy dose of the
chattering, guitar-driven funk of mid- '80s groups like Morris Day and the Time.A first-rate band completes the effect. Drummer Christophe Calpini has the crisp attack and solid swing of Steve Jordan, while Christophe Turchi adds cutting alto saxophone breaks straight from James Brown's great soloist Fred Wesley.All sidemanship aside, Sylla (who co-wrote all ten songs with music director Cedric Asseo) is a potent, emotional frontwoman in the belting style of Aretha Franklin. Lyrics are in French, recorded very close-miked, with many interesting choral and production effects.A few songs are translated in the liner notes. 'Diabana' reads, "Don't try to enter in those dark places and share with people who want no good foryou. Protect yourself."-Peter Spencer
ROOTSWORLD, the online magazine of the world's musicRootsWorld Bulletin #173 / http://www.rootsworld.com
Maciré Sylla Maya Irafama Trace (www.codmusic.com)
Maciré Sylla is a young Guinean woman singer, backed here by an Afro-European band and recorded in Switzerland. Maya Irafama is at times an intriguing album, though at its best is vaguely reminiscent of other international African stars. This is due in part to the similarity of Sylla's voice to that of superdiva Angelique Kidjo, most evident on the opener, "Dariono," which borrows (quite well) the distinctive driving bass drum and staccato guitar lines so often used by the Beninoise star. The lurking similarity may also be due to the frequent appearance of the Fulani flute, pioneered in pop form by Senegalese Baaba Maal whose Fulani ethnic roots are strong in Guinea as well. The second song, "Wombere," seems cut in the mold of a Maal dance number, combining as it does this flute work with a pounding bass line and peppery (though subdued) percussion and some delicate Mande guitar riffs. The best piece, perhaps, is "Dié," a reggae-inspired number that recalls not so much the big continental stars, but a version of reggae that is characteristic of versatile working Africanbands: smooth, deep, and clean without being superficial, and graced with a quiet confidence.
On other pieces the pernicious influence of generic arrangement and production that haunt much work out of nearby Paris are evident; Sylla's voice withers over these soulless tracks. Without sounding overly negative about the album as a whole, the packaging is not the most informative; listeners receive brief synopses of the lyrics of four of the songs, a list of players, and inside the folding CD liner, a color photo of Sylla. Hopefully, Sylla and Trace will build on this promising start and push to deliver even more original music. - Craig Tower Listen to "Wombere" http://www.rootsworld.com/audio-alias/macire-sylla.ram
Cliff Furnald, editor ([email protected])
http://WWW.AFROPOP.ORG/explore/album_review/ID/718/
Maciré Sylla Maya Irafama Trace
This native of Conakry, Guinea, blends Sousssou and Fulani tradition withenough soul and funk to rival the pop diva of Benin, Angelique Kidjo. Thisis definitely Afro-slick, taking off where African acts vying for themainstream--like Kidjo and Toure Kunda--leave off. The band is hot, andSylla's voice very strong, with a tough attitude and clear precision. Thereare roots elements here: great percussion, some complex rhythms, and Fulaniflute adding grit to tracks like "Wombéré" and "Diabana." Sylla toured withthe traditional group Fatala. It's clear she paid her dues on the roots sidebefore going pop. Two songs incorporate reggae. There's a somewhat banalFrench ballad. In fact, there's enough posing and borrowing here that somewill write this off as another bit of pumped-up Paris fluff. But Sylla hasreal vocal and composition chops. And her musicians slam it home track aftertrack. Apparently, her sound is going down very well in Conakry, and it'squite possible that this international debut will prove to be the start ofsomething big.
Contributed by: Banning Eyre for www.afropop.orgCopyright © 2001 World Music Productions.
GREEN MAN REVIEW. greenmanreview.com
Macire Sylla is a singer embracing the Afro-pop style so popular in Europeright now. An electric version of Soko, mixed with American pop and R&Bstyles, this disc almost screams for radio play. Sylla has a wonderfulvoice, very full and joyful. "Aidara" shows off her vocal prowess rathernicely, with a heavy groove and some great layered response vocals. Although there's nothing terribly original in her style, she has a far better voice than many mining this market. And she does make you want to dance! Although the production is a little iffy (it's the almost obligatory thick, somewhatmuddy mix that mars much of Afro-pop), the musicians carve out some original ideas, and play with a great deal more enthusiasm than most in this genre. A decent Afro-pop disc worthy of repeated listenings.
Big Earl Sellar
GLOBAL VILLAGE IDIOThttp://www.globalvillageidiot.net/
Maciré Sylla - Maya Irafama - Trace
Some facsinating and addictive Afropop from a Guinean singer who scored big at home in 1997, but is new to the global scene as a solo artist. On the basis of this, it won't be long before people are talking about her, since this album makes an effotless mix of firmly-rooted African music with rock -loud guitars and all. In a way, it's what Aster Aweke tried to pull off, but never quite succeeded in managing. But while the blend of styles here would seem to indicate compromise, the reality is it's hard hitting. Only one slightly reggaeish track falls below par, while the rest take absolutely noprosioners, either vocally or instrumentally. Sylla's voice is definitely reminiscent of the Wassoulou women, but she managers not keep the stridency quotient within the bounds of reason. If she keeps up this quality, Sylla issomeone to watch.
WORLDMUSIC.ABOUT.COM
Maya Irafama Macire Sylla Trace Records
Macire Sylla is a female vocalist hailing from Conakry, Guinea. She does not hesitate to combine traditional and contemporary musical elements on her newest album, Maya Irafama. The songs originate from the Soussou traditions of West Africa. Jazz, pop, rock and reggae-like beats and influences comprise the majority of the album's sound. The instruments on Maya Irafama include drums, bass, guitar, flute and saxophone. Macire has a good voice that accompanies the catchy tunes. Her voice is comparable to Angelique Kidjo from Benin. Additional background vocals on a few of the songs add wonderful harmony. As a bonus, the liner notes fold out into a 9" x 14" poster of Macire Sylla. Fans of West African popular music will certainly enjoy Macire Sylla's music.Reviews in the USA
M. Cédric Asséo47, Mon-IdéeCH - 1226 Thônextél. +41(0)79 [email protected]
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