TURNTABLE LAB

the lab review

The scattering drums and soaring clarinets of the biguine ruled the airwaves and dance floors of Martinique and Guadeloupe in the 1960s. This album showcases the vibrancy of the scene on the French Caribbean islands in the '60s and '70s - a scene that would go on to develop the all-conquering sound of zouk in the '80s. Uptown bands like Ensemble La Perfecta and Les Loups Noirs combine heavy rhythms and psychedelic effects in an inimitable style. Check out the crazed "Jet Biguine(1)" for a better idea. The deep and introspective sounds of Monsieur Dolor's "Panty(2)" and Guadeloupean hero Robert Loison's "Jean Fouille, Pie Fouille(3)" show the deep African roots of the music. These are songs born out of the plantations, with an insistent rhythm and mournful vocals that are unique to these islands. The call and response on Anzala, Dolor, Velo's "Ti Fi La Ou Te Madam(4)" speaks to the islands' connection to South America. Overlooked outside of Paris, Montreal and the French Caribbean for many years, this collection redresses the balance by presenting the vital sounds of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 10/30/2009

filed under

• funk soul disco - comps view category
• funk + soul + latin + disco view category
• vinyl new arrivals view category
• funk soul disco - new arrivals view category