Seychelles music icons to be honored through Gramophone |22 August 2023
Gramophone is the title of a new series of music albums, consisting of reimagined songs from iconic stars who have made significant contributions to the local music repertoire. The very first edition of the project will be launched mid-September 2023.
Conceived by local artist Clive Camille, this particular series of albums aims to revive some of Seychelles' most classic hits whilst at the same time honouring their authors and composers.
“Over the years, we have been blessed with amazing compositions from the likes of Georgie Romain (Pye), François Havelock, Jocelyn Perreau, Simon Amade among many others. With the modern music production technologies we have today and creative relationships I have personally developed with musicians and producers within the Indian Ocean region, I felt that it was the right time for me to reimagine some of the most iconic songs from Seychelles," said Mr Camille.
The album consists of 11 reimagined songs, 10 of which are yet to be released. The first song of the album – Belmer – was released late last year and Camille says that there were a lot of positive reactions towards the remake.
"Last year the same team I am working with to produce Gramophone, reimagined Katty Melanie's Belmer with a modern touch and I have to say that it was well received. Online, the 20-second teaser for the song received over 21,000 views within the week prior to its official release," according to Mr Camille.
As can be seen on his official social media artist page, Mr Camille recently unveiled the track list for the upcoming album and some of the songs that will feature are Maltret Mwan by the late Georgie Romain (Pye), Regard Sa zetwal by John Wirtz, Zanmi Senser by Sonny Morgan, Mon Laliberte by Stella Nibourette as well as Margrita originally written, composed and sung by his father Serge Camille.
"I am forever grateful to all the artists and custodians of late artists who have given me authorisation to include their songs on this project and I really hope that I can make them proud," said Mr Camille.
He told Seychelles NATION that the team tasked with the music production for this album is from Seychelles, Mauritius and Reunion and the public should expect an interesting combination of creative sounds from the Indian Ocean.
To note that Clive Camille is currently a talent for the first season of ‘The Voice Africa’. Following some production delays, he has informed this newspaper that he expects to leave the country anytime so as to secure a spot in the live shows.
Patsy Canaya
