For today, I wanted to share with you “Mama“, a killer bouncy syncopated Afro Salegy Funk Soukous from Madagascar with frantic guitar parts, taken from the first recording of the mythical Madagascar composer & musician Roger Georges who begin his career in the 70s with the band “The Smokers”, and out on the legendary Madagascan record label “Discomad“.
Instant feel-good track, perfect to continue this summer – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
Roger Georges – Mama (Madagascar, 1980s, Discomad)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Chen’n La“, a gorgeous spiritual Bèlè Gwo Ka Jazz Soul track from Guadeloupe (French West Indies) with magnificent Flute & Synth parts, taken from the only self-released single of the Guadeloupean composer & musician Darius “DAO” Adélaïde recorded in 1984 in Paris (France) at the recording studio “Parisign”.
Alongside to Darius Adélaïde, this single features some of the bests Guadeloupean, Martinican & Parisian musicians of that Era, as :
Roger Raspail, Léon Leborgne : Drums (Boula) ;
Michel Alibo : Bass Guitar ;
Armand Acheron, Hengel Gaston : Percussion ;
Franck Simion : Calabash ;
André Adélaïde, Colin Serin, Eddy Dollin, Gabriel Courbera, Sha Rakotofiringa : Chorus ;
Matthew Russel : Flute ;
Fred Rovelas, Patrick Gros : Guitar ;
Harry Gatibelza : Piano ;
Patrick Ralichon : Synthesizer ;
In the same vein as the best West Indian Bèlè & Gwo-ka Jazz compositions (Belenou, Gwakasonne, Fabriano Fuzion, …), hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
DAO – Chen’n La (Guadeloupe, 1984, Disques DLM – KA)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Macifone“, a deep bewitching 70s Island Soul Sega Fusion Folk track from Mauritius with a psychedelic twist, taken from the only single released on vinyl format by the Mauritian composer & musician Taroo Luc “Balik” Marlaine in the 70s, and backed by the famous Mauritian singer songwriter and musician Marclaine Antoine & his orchestra.
This piece is a perfect example of the incredible mix of musical genres and influences that could be found in the Indian Ocean already at that time, merging Sega Folk roots with more Pop, Rock & Soul influences – really hard to sing single nowadays, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
Balik Taroo – Macifone (Mauritius, 1970s, A.I.T. Records)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Crépuscule Insolite“, an epic bouncy digital Island Boogie Synth FunkDisco-ish instrumental track from Haïti (Ayiti, in the West Indies) with dreamy synth parts that sounds like an 80s video game soundtrack.
This song is taken from the sole album of the Haitian composer & musician Jeanne Bylon-Héloïse, wife of the composer Joel Héloïse, who both were part of the Haitian band “Fregate“, alongside with some of the greatest Haitian musicians from that era such : Hervé Martiny, Joël Gourtaud, Michel Bambou, Mickaël Boe & Romuald Sainte-Rose.
Very unique sound from the West Indies of that time, where French Caribbean musicians were searching for their own sound, mixing Gwo-Ka, Bel Air, Biguine, Folk with funk, boogie & synthetic sounds – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
Jeanne Bylon-Héloïse – Crépuscule Insolite (Haïti, 1985, Joel Héloïse Records)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Neg Souffran“, a killer uplifting Island Cadence Funk track from Martinique with deep Biguine Jazz flavors (listen at this awesome piano parts !), taken from the third and last album of the Martinican band “Super Sterne“, composed with the following musicians :
Denis Grambin ;
Eugène Sylvestre ;
Guillaume Lambert ;
Jean-Pierre Laigle ;
Pierre Sillon Loredon ;
Raymond Cinraul ;
Robert Sylvestre ;
Tropical stormer, always a great weapon when I play it in parties & clubs – Enjoy !
Super Sterne – Neg Souffran (Martinique, 1978, Disques Vacances)
For today, I wanted to share with you “Evolution n°1“, an heavy Psychedelic Island Rock Soul Instrumental from Mauritius (Indian Ocean) with awesome guitar parts, taken from the 2nd single of the Mauritian band “The Features Of Life” recorded in the 70s on the well-known label “Disques Capricorne“.
The band included great artists from the Indian Ocean, such : Eric Nelson, Raoul Lacariate, Seekien, Atouck.
One of the heaviest song from Mauritius of that era, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
The Features Of Life – Evolution n°1 (Mauritius, 1970s, Disques Capricorne)
For today, I wanted to share with you “N. A. Disco Party“, an deep Island Disco Reggae Synth Funk track from Guyana with instant catchy horns & synth parts, taken from the only LP recorded & released in 1979 by the Guyanese composer & musician Ivor Lynch.
This album includes the following musicians :
Backing Vocals : Eddie Clarke, Esme Lynch, Ivor Lynch ;
Bass : Eddie Clarke, Eldon Oliver ;
Drums : Errol Wise, Vonrick Maynard ;
Guitar : Eddie Clark, Ivor Lynch, Tony Voisin ;
Congo Drums : Jose ;
Percussion : Eddie Clarke, Ivor Lynch ;
Piano : Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard ;
Saxophone : James Smart, Jude Bethel ;
Strings : Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard ;
Synthesizer : Clive Bradley ;
Trumpet : Enirque Moore, Fortunia Ruiz ;
Super sweet groover, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
Ivor Lynch – N. A. Disco Party (Guyana, 1979, EPL Records)
As a celebration of this Christmas Day 2024, I wanted to share with you for today “La Pli“, a super nice catchy syncopated Island Soul Cadence Biguine Jazz track from Martinique with beautiful violin & flute parts, recorded in the 70s by the mythical composer, musician, painter, sculptor and ceramist Henri Guedon !
Featuring legendary West Indian musicians such as Claude Vamur, Jean-Claude Naimro & Alain Jean Marie, this song includes the following musician :
– Lead Vocals, Arrangements, Composition, Percussions, Bells : Henri Guédon ;
– Chorus – Jackie Defoi, Jean Claude Naimro ;
– Drums, Congas, Drum [Tiboi] – Claude Vamur ;
– Organ [Eminent], Synthesizer : Alain Jean Marie ;
– Acoustic Guitar, Cuatro – Virgilio Araque Reyes ;
– Congas, Synth [Shasha] – Raymond Betzi ;
– Drums, Percussion – Alfred Varasse ;
– Electric Bass [Fender] – Philippe Neveu ;
– Flute, Chorus, Percussion – Clémente Lozano ;
– Harp [Indian] – Gerardo Servin ;
– Keyboards, Congas – Roland Malmin ;
– Mandolin, Violin : Maurice Lagier ;
– Maracas, Guiro, Chorus : Fabien Bannet ;
– Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes] : Michel Pacquit ;
For today, I wanted to share with you “Ain’t No Sunshine“, a splendid cover of Bill Withers‘ timeless hit, reinterpreted here in a beautiful & ultra groovy Island Soul Jazz way by the Dominican Diva Ophélia Olivaccé-Marie, taken from her only live album recorded in 1981 in Paris at the Theatre de la Renaissance concert hall.
One of my favorite version of this classic, hope you’ll like it – Enjoy !
For today, I wanted to share with you “Latin Parang“, a sweet balearic Island Latin SoulFunk track backed with bewitching voices, one of its kind blend of Calypso, Soca, Disco & Folk flavors, taken from a very hard to find double sider recorded in 1980 by the mysterious composer & musician Colleen Grant (any infos are welcome !).
This title is referring to Parang music, a style of Folk music from Venezuelan and Colombian immigrants that came to the Caribbean, and evolved to include elements of Latin music, Disco and Soca. Although traditionally used to be played during the festive season in Trinidad and Tobago, Parang Music continues to heat up dancefloors all year round.
Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !
Colleen Parang – Latin Parang (Barbados, 1980, RH Productions)
