When we talk about guitar’s arpeggios, here in New Caledonia, everybody has Edouard Wamejo in mind. He has released 6 albums as lead singer of Ok Ryos, a band from Mare (Nengone, in local language).
Edouard Wamejo recently decided to take his Nengone first name in public use: Gulaan (to be pronounce Goulane) is a nickname of Gui nedr. It was a sort of Coming back to my roots point of view for him. So he has approached his favorite themes in a very simple way, acoustic 6 and 12 strings guitars are flowing all through the album supported by creative percussions and some solid drums and bass kanak grooves. But the most impressive are for sure his powerful voice and all the intricate harmonies he perform by himself.
In these times of formated music, that’s quite an experience to listen to a guy who just wants to be close to his own trueself. Just download these few tracks from his first ever solo album and enjoy :
Paradaiso (nengone), the feel of the life in Mare, just like paradise…
Hna thena wajae (nengone), typical kaneka beat, talking of the importance of the sea in tribal life.
Rane me shed (nengone), hard driven kaneka beat, typical traditional kanak melody.
Gueo Cen (nengone), emotional song about brotherhood.
L’esprit d’hier (french), poetic story of the annexation of New Caledonia by France in 1853, September, 24th.
Je leur dirais à tous (french), moving song about his father.
Pour toutes les gloires (french), acoustic reggae tune about fame…
Pardonne-moi (french), a poignant song in which he apologizes to his mother.
Comment t’aimer ? ( french), litteraly How to love you ?…
Rose du Vent (french), talking about love again.
Mon petit garcon (french), love…for a son.
My Fiel (english), written when his grand’ma had just died.
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