SHEILA by Sheila Paul |22 September 2007

The album features ten songs, five new numbers written and sung by Sheila, and five old but very popular songs written by her late famous father, Raymond Lebon, and sung by Sheila with new musical arrangements to make it appeal to a more contemporary Seychellois audience.

However, Raymond Lebon’s fans, who knew these songs back in the late ‘70s and early ’80s will appreciate Sheila’s own rendition of her father’s hits, which will perhaps stir many memories from the past as they listen to Naryen Pa’n Sanze, Toi et Moi, Lwen Laba, Anver Ou Met and Je T’aime on this album, which is Sheila’s response to his many fans who have been asking her for a long time to record some of their favourite songs.

Sheila’s new songs are very varied in style and content: Seselwa, My Nation (sega) is an impression of what we are like as a people. The artiste’s observations will make you want to know how she feels about us, her people and her nation, and you may or may not agree with her, but I’m sure you will still want to sing or dance along with her.

Ziska Mon Depar  (reggae) is a beautiful number that will appeal to all ages, although my personal favourite is Ki Kalite Leker (sega), which is the kind of song that you will hear in discos, parties, and I’m also sure, in the mouths of many young people who will be performing it in musical shows.

Sheila is the kind of album that will appeal to fans who like songs that they can listen to quietly and dream along down memory lane; as well those who can’t wait to stand up and dance whenever they hear a good sega or reggae.
I hope Sheila and Raymond will not disappoint you.

Peter Pierre-Louis
Courtesy of the Seychelles National Arts Council