A flight
The desire to synthesize his roots has been at the heart of Senaya’s musical desires for a long time. Her debut album, released in 2005, opened with a song titled Soul Creole, the name she gave to her way of mixing the heritage of her Senegalese father with that of her Guadeloupean mother, but also her penchant for jazzy swing, groove and many forms of blues. She took 18 years to prepare the sequel, but believes that if it is so, it is a bit of her destiny. “As we say in Africa: God is never late,” she says. I see this album as a flight, some might say a rebirth, but I see it first as a flight. Now it’s on! »
Rooted, but not traditional
The word “roots” in the title of Senaya’s second album should not be understood as a synonym for traditional. It refers more to a deep desire to draw on what has built it culturally, but in a very current perspective. In 2023, his “soul kreôl” is indeed crossed by pop desires, jazzy perfumes, funk spices and even a touch of electro. “There are mixtures, but they are not done just anyhow, there is an authenticity, a respect for the roots, for the different music at the base of my style, she judges. I want people who are not of Guadeloupe culture, for example, to appreciate a song like Alé (Voyé Limyè), the first excerpt, but that people of Guadeloupe culture can say to themselves: that’s me. »
Blues gradients
One of the nice surprises of the disc is the track De Moun Ki Eme where Zal Sissokho’s kora sings delicately with the harmonica. An astonishing and very eloquent mixture. “When you listen to the whole album, there’s always a blues background,” says Senaya. This is precisely the common point between all these songs. There are songs where I get closer to New Orleans, whileAlé (Voyé Limyè), is more gowka, a style that is considered the blues of Guadeloupe. »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
On her new album, Senaya explores all the music that forms the basis of her style, but “there is always a blues background”.
Tribute to migrants
Senaya now sings mainly in Creole, but sometimes also in French, English and Wolof, the main language spoken in Senegal. She chose the latter to evoke the tragic fate of Senegalese who disappeared at sea for having tried to reach Europe in the hope of having a better life on Aduna Gneupankobok. “I wanted to pay tribute to them, in a way, she explains, and by extension to all these migrants who die at sea. It’s also a way of asking: why some people can go where they want on this land that belongs to all of us and others don’t? And why do some die from it? »
The strength of love
I Pray (Time is Coming), the only English-language song on the album, is heavily infused with gospel, but also New Orleans swing and jazz. “I also dream of making the video for this song at Congo Square in New Orleans,” enthuses Senaya. It was born from my desire to express my love for God, what he brought to me, among other things during the 18 years between my two records. Spirituality is important to me, but religion not at all. I believe in God, but from my point of view, whoever believes in love, who lives it, also believes in God without knowing it. For me, love equals God and God equals love. »
Afro-Caribbean music
SoulKreol Vol. 1 Roots
Senaya
African Nights Records