Various – To Catch a Ghost: Field Recordings from Madagascar LP Sublime Frequencies

This is Sublime Frequencies’ second volume of transcendent musical field recordings from central and southern Madagascar, produced by Charles Brooks. Like the grand beauty and wonder of its flora and fauna, Madagascar’s music is completely unique. Whether the tempos are fast with polyrhythmic precision or slow in the form of a Kabosy ballad, once one gets familiar with its sound, it can never be mistaken again. Charles Brooks has been traveling to Madagascar and living with these spectacular artists for many years and has managed to document countless examples of their work, and regardless of how formal or informal a recording is made, the results always turn out magical. The following is an excerpt from Brooks’s liner notes: “The musicians on this album are storytellers and much of their craft is improvised and has a strong foundation of expertise in their respective cultural traditions. These field recordings have been collaborative from beginning to end and here, I’ve attempted to represent the finest of these talented artists. Their music journeys across endless landscapes with some movements having the qualities of a start and finish and yet no apparent end… Seeking, recording, and sharing the intangible experience, the best of all of this, is to catch a ghost.” Charles G Brooks, 2018 Limited edition LP with two-sided insert featuring images of the artist and highly detailed notes of the recording sessions. Performers include: Kavoria Lappella, Soa Vinelo Soando, Vonarivo M’Bola, Gilbert Peramena dit Bera, Zara Jean Paul, Randriana Solo, Mahalid Destin, M’Beamdala, Prosper Razafimamdimby, Melina Soulala, Dabaro and Ranasoa Velonjoha.

To Catch a Ghost: Field Recordings from Madagascar by Kavoria Lappella, Soa Vinelo Soando (beko)