Reunion Island vocalist and song-writer YELA comes with a soulful, jazzy, African, latin and Caribbean - infused Indian ocean music style resulting from the cultural influences she grew up with.

Saint Pierre native Marie-Christine DAFFON a.k.a YELA's passion for music stems from "back in the days".YELA grew up in a family amaturely practicing music during "Kabars" or family celebrations with homemade instruments (kayamb). In her early teens, she started singing at her hometown of "Ligne des Bambous" church choir where her great-grandmother also served as singer and choir Director. In addition to local music like Maloya, Sega, Malagasy vibes, YELA's taste for vocal jazz, soul music, African, Latin and Caribbean music was triggered by her eldest brothers records and by local FR3 radio shows distilling exotic sounds by the likes of Billie HOLIDAY who she remembers would always move her regardless of the language barrier and her very young age. Similar emotions would always hit her when listening to Myriam MAKEBA,, Gilberto GIL, FELA,, Stevie WONDER, Carlos SANTANA, Al JARREAU, MALAVOI, BARBARA?.

YELA ?s versatile warm vocals, smooth, raw and soulful singing talents quickly caught the attention of most local major bands she will have "Live" or studio collaborations gigs with later before choosing to concentrate on the development of her own artistic direction. With her insightful, positive lyrics, gentle creole compositions following the footsteps of Reunion Island's "Dalons' poetic movement" representatives like Alain PETERS, Firmin VIRY, René LACAILLE, Danyel WARO?, YELA's approach to her music echoed the deeper aspiration of her counterparts for a Creole cultural identity recognition.

Moving to the cosmopolitan city of Paris in the 90's to pursue her studies offered broader opportunities for musical connections: She had the privilege of representing Reunion Island at Paris International Gospel Festival with her Reunionian flavour Gospel style captured through FEGOP compilations and through her "Swing low Sangolo "album (Frémeaux & associes). In the meantime, she kept on collaborating with multi-horizon top artists like EM BEE, (Gospel legend singer of Walt Disney's Roi Lion II "U pendi" track), Us JO ANN PICKENS,..play unrestrictedly in Jazz or World venues and festivals in France, Europe and back home acquiring faithful fan base and positive critics reception. Among her pleasures was the opportunity of giving a live performance opening up for legendary MANU DIBANGO at home for the slavery abolition commemoration celebration concert and receiving from him the precious and warm advise to hang on to her style.

Always inclined to follow her own lead, YELA took the indie route to produce and promote her music while struggling to introduce her native region culture to a wider audience.
She set up a label dedicated to her own work and to multi-cultural expressions from her region: from organising and producing live concerts: (for Malagasy JB,DIN ROTSAKAand Ninie DONIAH whose albums she's also produced, Maurician legend MENWAR,,Reunionian René LACAILLE's Paris 60th birthday tribute concert), Creole comedy shows, distributing homemade craft to hosting a Indian ocean music Paris-based radio show?.

YELA resumed the completion of her forthcoming project going further in her cultural mixture recipe: combining her Indian ocean legacy with all the influences she now claim hers.A musical path she is proud to carry on as the encouragements from the public and the outstanding musicians she's has the chance to work with come as a blessing. She has friendly contributions from Caribbean Jazz Piano master Mario CANONGE, Cameroon Bass great Etienne MBAPPE, former FELA's band saxophone player Peter NTOLLO, Former Myriam MAKEBA musician FrançoisCOREA, Bass genius an arranger Francky MWELLE ?
One of that project Afro-beat & Maloya flavour track, "Dodosya" was selected by U.K World Music Network label for its june 2006 "The Rough guide to Planet Rock" compilation.

YELA is a new talent of radiant originality and authenticity; her openness,warm voice and soulfulness offer a great promise for the future of Indian ocean music or just simply ?for good music.

Review by Theodule MALELA
Yela974@yahoo.fr