'Tsara Madagasikara', the debut album of Malagasy formation Samy Izy houses a true wealth of musical information about the vanilla island. Band leader Samoela Andriamalalaharijaona aka Samy is far from a novice: back in 1980, he founded Tarika Sammy, a band that went on to influence a whole generation of Malagasy musicians (Rossy, Maheleo...). For this new project Samy surrounded himself with young talent, but without losing sight of the older generation (flute player Rageorge, regarded as a somewhat of a musical legend in Madagascar, participates on 'Ny Tany' and 'Maro'). Discover typical Malagasy instruments like the sodina, valiha-kabosy, marovany or jejy voatova and don't get confused when 'Tsara Madagasikara' one moment sounds somewhat West-African (the sound of the valiha-kabosy, a cither-lute, is similar to that of the West-African kora) and the next Mozambican and South African influences shine through (Radio Mozambique can also be received in some areas of Madagascar).