Marronnage features some of the best vocalists on the French Antillean music scene. Pipo Gertrude,
Edith Lefel, Sylviane Cedia,
Marijose Alie, Jean-Philippe Marthely, Dede St. Prix, and Valerie Odina are all here. The classic
Malavoi sound is there, although the albums recorded after their zenith, Matebis, do not quite match the genius and incredible beauty of the earlier titles from the 1980s through 1992. Their sound combines the rhythms of Martinique with the Cuban charanga and a nod to Brazil. One of the appealing things about the music of
Malavoi is that the changes from Martiniquan dance forms to Cuban mambo to samba is seamless. The extraordinary ability to weave these changes together is a hallmark of groups from the French Antilles. There are some standout tracks here like "Tomaline," "Zou," "Simin Pou Recolte," "Sonao," and "Ti Tan La." Not a masterpiece, but an enjoyable, varied album and one that
Malavoi devotees should have. ~ Mark Romano