Michele Henderson featured on compilation album by famed Martinican group ‘Malavoi’

Dominica’s musical ambassador, Michele Henderson, is one of several French and Creole singers featured on a compilation album by Martinican group Malavoi.

She join’s Haiti’s Emeline Michele, La Reunion’s Oralne and Martinique’s Ralph Tamar, Kolo Barst, E.Sy Kennenga,  J. Marie Ragald, Loriane Zacharie, Rony Théophile, Valerie Louri and Pipo Gertrude on the album titled Oliwon. Michele’s image is also featured in the accompanying booklet of song lyrics.

According to Bernard Nicol, musical director of the group, the album is actually a sequel to their 90s project Matebis which featured traditional music of Martinique arranged with different voices.

“With this new album Oliwon, a Creole expression meaning “around” we are saying that we are combining talent from around Martinique, the Region and the world.”

Formed in 1972, Malavoi’s musical style mixes French Antillean music with modern influences from across the Americas (beguine, rumba and especially jazz). Their first album Malavoi was released in 1978.  The group is still actively touring after 30 years in the industry.

It is of note that Michele is the only singer from an English-speaking nation on the album. Though she got her start with her 1995 Domfesta-winning composition, “My Pride,” it is her Creole and French compositions that have brought her talent to the fore.  She has performed at several events in Martnique, Guadeloupe and France.  To date she has released 6 albums: Michele Henderson (2000), Michele Henderson Creole Special Live (2001), Soundcheck (2002), Mwen Aime’w (2004), Sa Kai (2008), Home (Chez Moi) (2014).

Michele is excited at this latest development in her career and the opportunity to work with such a musical institution.

“I am honoured to have been invited to be part of this project. I have been a fan of Malavoi since childhood so getting the chance to sing with them is a treasured opportunity,” she reveals.

In May 2015 both Michele and Ralth Thamar, Malavoi’s lead singer, performed to rave reviews at Dominica’s Jazz ‘N Creole. Come this October she will make her 8^th appearance at the 2016 World Creole Music festival.

Oliwon track list:

1. Manzel adel (Malavoi feat. Ralph Thamar)

2. Achiki (Malavoi feat. Kolo Barst)

3. Si (Malavoi feat. Emeline Michel)

4. Kon si chak jou (Malavoi feat. E.Sy Kennenga)

5. A nos actes manqués (Malavoi feat. J. Marie Ragald)

6. Voilà pourquoi (Malavoi feat. Orlane)

7. An ti manmay (Malavoi feat. Loriane Zacharie)

8. La grève (Malavoi feat. Rony Théophile)

9. Sé pas possible (Malavoi feat. Valerie Louri)

10. Pran plézi-w (Malavoi feat. Michèle Henderson)

11. Lala pistache (Malavoi feat. Pipo Gertrude)