René Lacaille

Lacaille comes from the Indian Ocean island of Réunion, a "department" of France with a complex cultural mix of European and Indian influences. The music of France was superimposed on the island's own Indian-based rhythms to create a unique new sound called maloya. Lacaille comes from a family of musicians and grew up amid that rich cultural stew, and the music he makes on his box is heavily rhythmic and very heady. Album: Cordéon Kaméléon (Connecting Cultures 2009) sponsored by Mondomix, Nova, Trad Magazine, Réunionnais du Monde, PRMA.