Seychelles Returns to Vinyl with Landmark ‘Kreol Sesel Sa’ Record Release
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Island Music Seychelles, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, launched the vinyl record compilation ‘Kreol Sesel Sa’ at the Seychelles National Museum in Victoria on Friday, marking the return of vinyl production in Seychelles after a gap of 40 years and celebrating the richness of Seychellois Creole music through a carefully curated selection of timeless songs performed by some of the country’s most celebrated artists. The landmark release was recorded in Seychelles, professionally mastered in the United Kingdom, and pressed in France, combining world-class production quality with the authentic sound and spirit of Creole music.
The return of vinyl to Seychelles carries deep cultural significance for a nation whose musical identity is inseparable from Creole language, rhythm, and storytelling. For a generation of Seychellois who grew up listening to these songs on the radio or at family gatherings, the release of a physical vinyl record featuring beloved voices preserves that heritage in a tangible and lasting format, while also introducing these timeless compositions to younger listeners who may encounter Seychellois music for the first time through this medium.
The compilation features songs by Patrick Victor, David Andre, Mike Cedras, Brian Matombe, Anna Rose Souris, Raymond Clarisse, Marime, and El Manager, with titles including Retourn Praslin by Patrick Victor, Anne-Marie by Brian Matombe, and Later Mardilo by Gilles Lionnet. Project manager Gilles Lionnet, who has championed the initiative from conception, highlighted that vinyl records have surpassed global sales figures for four consecutive years since 2022, describing the format as more than music, calling it visual, authentic, and alive. He emphasised that in a world of instant streaming and invisible playlists, vinyl offers something digital cannot, and pointed to the growing appeal among Generation Z who are drawn to its authenticity, slowness, and presence in an era of constant screen-based consumption.
Principal Secretary for Culture Cécile Kalebi praised the compilation as a celebration of Seychellois voices that have defined eras of Creole music and continue to inspire new generations, noting that for decades vinyl may have disappeared from local production lines but Seychellois music never disappeared from people’s lives. Artist David Andre, who collaborated on the project, expressed joy at being part of an initiative that values music and Seychellois artists while preserving culture and ensuring songs live on for future generations. Lionnet also noted that vinyl supports artists more directly than streaming, restoring dignity and value to music production.
The project represents a milestone not only for Seychellois music but also for the broader cultural preservation agenda of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, demonstrating that government and the creative sector can work together to produce internationally crafted products that carry distinctly local identity and heritage value.
‘Kreol Sesel Sa’ marks the beginning of what organisers hope will be a sustained revival of physical music production in Seychelles, reconnecting the archipelago with a format that once defined how its people shared and celebrated their unique cultural voice.
