Ensemble Tropicana – Amor En Cha Cha Cha

( Martinique , 1967 , Disques Antibo )

posted on 14 / 12 / 2025

For today, I wanted to share with you “Amor En Cha Cha Cha“, a storming Caribbean Cha Cha Cha Latin Guaguanco Soul track, taken from the first LP of the band “Ensemble Tropicana“, that begun as the live band of Michel Colas’ club “La Cocoteraie” in Martinique (French West Indies), formed in 1964 by the mythical Haitian composer & musician Felix Guignard.

Shortly after, the band moved to Guadeloupe (French West Indies) to play at Georges Brival’s club “La Bananeraie” under the name “Ensemble Tropicana de La Martinique”.

Recorded a few years later in 1967, this LP includes legendary musician from the French West Indies, such as Michel Desgrottes (arrangements) and Gary French & Joseph “Jo” Lavaud on the vocals.

Splendid LP from start to finish, a great example of the musical blend of musical genres in the Antilles during this era, especially the strong Cuban/Latin influences – Enjoy !

Ensemble Tropicana – Amor En Cha Cha Cha (Martinique, 1967, Disques Antibo)

 

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/8SrVKs2wlnU

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar – Pot Pourrit De Guajira

( Senegal , 1979 , Discafrique / Discafrique Records )

posted on 23 / 11 / 2025

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Pot Pourrit De Guajira“, a gorgeous 70s Afro Cuban Latin Soul Fusion track from Senegal, taken from one of the several albums recorded by the mythical Senegalese Band “Orchestra Baobab” (spelt here “Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar”), formed in the early 1970 and famous for merging Cuban Music with traditional West African Wolof Griot culture and the Mandinga musical traditions of the Casamance in an Afro Cuban, Afro Latin & Afro Pachanga style.

Still touring today, the band features the following musicians :

Barthelemy Attisso : Guitar, Arrangements ;

Medoune Diallo : Lead Vocals, Maracas, Arrangements ;

Charles Antoine N’Diaye : Bass Guitar ;

Peter Udo : Clarinet, Alto Saxophone ;

Mountaga Koite : Congas (Tumbas), Drums ;

Papa Ba : Guitar ;

Issa Cissoko : Leader, Tenor Saxophone ;

Balla Sidibe : Timbales, Vocals ;

N’Diouga Dieng, Rudolphe « Rudy » Gomis : Vocals, Percussion ;

The album presented today is one of my favorite from the band, nice exampled of their ability to merge all styles – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Orchestre Baobab Gouygui De Dakar – Pot Pourrit De Guajira (Senegal, 1979, Discafrique Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/QSHhLs6XAWM

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Gary French & The Tropical Sextet – Lo Siento

( Haiti , 1970s , A.H.A. Records )

posted on 06 / 03 / 2024

For today, I wanted to share with you “Lo Siento“, an outstanding Guaracha Latin Soul Jazz track, taken from the second album recorded by the Haitian composer & musicien Gary French and his “Tropical Sextet” band, that included the following musicians :

– Carlos Ramirez : Organ & Piano ;

– Jean Thomas Donnay : Saxophone ;

– Emmanuel “Manno” Mathieu : Bass ;

– Michel Corvington : Guitar ;

– Patrick “Pat” Coby : Percussions ;

– Jacques Succes : Drummer ;

One of my favorite album from Haïti, full of many solid tracks of different musical genres – Enjoy !

Gary French & The Tropical Sextet – Lo Siento (Haiti, 1970s, A.H.A. Records)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/0AuIQJ2Q-Bg

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Henri Guedon – Karma

( Martinique , 1975 , La Voix Du Globe )

Following this former article, I wanted to share with you for today “Karma“, an outstanding blend of Cadence Soul Funk Latin Synth Jazz & Fusion influences, taken from the 3rd album recorded in 1975 by the mythical musician, painter, sculptor and ceramist Henri Guedon from Martinique, considered by most as the grandfather of modern music from French West Indies.

This album includes :

– Henri Guedon : Leader, Lead Vocals, Agogô, Cowbell, Kalimba, Spoons, Helicon, Skratjie, Percussion, Handclaps, Guimbarde, Bombo, Balafon ;

– Fabien Bannet : Backing Vocals, Guiro, Maracas, Claves ;

– Alain Delos : Congas, Percussion, Wood Block ;

– Claude Vamur : Percussion (Tambou Ka, Latigo), Drums, Timbales, Bongos ;

– Alfred Varasse : Percussion [Tiboi], Drums, Bata, Cowbell ;

– Michel Pacquit : Piano, Piano, Electric Piano (Fender Piano) ;

– Jacky Bernard : Synthesizer, Bass, Organ, Vibraphone ;

Pure dance floor heater here, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !

Henri Guedon – Karma (Martinique, 1975, La Voix Du Globe)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/TWrWbGqSD0s

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you on next Wednesday for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

African Grooves

A Time & Space Journey in the African & West Indies Countries