For today, I wanted to share with you “Dis Merci Ton Papa “, a deep syncopated 70s Island Sega Synth Soul track from La Reunion (Indian Ocean), taken from the second (and last) single recorded in 1977 by the Reunionese musician & performer Ray Grammont, and composed by Camille “Jacky” Lechat, another great figure from the island.

Ray Grammont was backed on that recording by “Le Club Rythmique”, a local music band formed in 1968 and leaded by the composer & musician Jean-Jacques Cladère, who was also the creator of the Disques Jackman record company (as the single presented here), and owner of the first professional recording studio of the island that welcomed by time a big part of the artists of the island (Jacqueline Farreyrol, Maxime Laope, Jacky Lechat, Marie-Armande Moutou, Pierrette Payet or Michel Adélaïde, who was also part of the band).

Funfact : Ray Grammont was the father of the French Reggae, Soul, Ragamuffin and Gwoka musician & singer David “Tonton David” Grammont, one of the best French figures of the 90s era !

Hope you’ll like this daily rediscovery, enjoy !

Ray Grammont – Dis Merci Ton Papa (La Reunion, 1977, Disques Jackman)

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

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

For today, I wanted to share with you “Berlioz And Fela“, a mesmerizing Island Synth Soul Jazz Funk from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, named in tribute to Ti-Fock’s two major influences, Hector Berlioz & Fela Kuti and taken from the 1st album recorded in 1985 at Saint-Pierre (city of Reunion Island) by the composer & musician Jean-Michel Fock, better known as Ti-Fock. It was released on the local label “102 Productions“, founded by a free radio hosts group in the mid 80s in the south of the island.

Arrangements, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar : Michael Fock ;

Backing Vocals : Betty Boristene, Josette Pagnes, Maggie Fock ;

Percussion : Joël Gonthier, Jean-Claude Quipandié ;

Synthesizer : Christian Moutoussamy ;

Keyboards : Pascal Raymond ;

Lead Guitar : Teddy Baptiste ;

Bass : Jean-Michel Pouzet ;

Drums : Bernard Filo ;

Cherry on the cake : this gorgeous cover art by Padie, that also exist in an alternate white & green version !

Really beautiful LP from start to finish, highly recommended – Enjoy !

Ti Fock – Berlioz And Fela (La Reunion, 1985, 102 Productions) :

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/036Is_DGLi8

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