Atmospherics of sampled surf and sea birds let you know that these are island songs. Eleven from the 1980s, and one from two decades later. The latter, W3, sounding like a more chilled Zazou / Bikaye / CY1. Or a lost track from Jasper Van`t Hof`s Pili Pili. All of them born in Guadeloupe, and featuring the rotating assembly of players contained in Robert Oumaou`s fifteen man and woman strong Gwakasonne collective. Featuring hands on traditional Gwo Ka drums. The Boula and Marqueur. Fingers on Highlife and Tuareg guitars, flute, keys and trumpet. A fretless bass making Jazzy runs. The flute forced through echo. The horn, Don Cherry-esque. Collected now on Seance Centre`s compilation of Gwakasoone`s work, Vwayaje.
Steel pans, balaphon. Vocals spoken, or uplifting chant. The music of children at play accompanying Guem Et Zaka Percussion-like grooves. Tumblack sweat. Vou recalls Bill Laswell`s World Fusions. His collaborations with Toure Kunda and Foday Musa Suso. Siklon packs a Fender Rhodes. Dances alongside Jorge Degas and Marcelo Salazar`s Ilha Grande. Respe gives thanks and praise to Mother Nature in the same manner as Congarilla`s Sacred Tree.
All this coalescing, mixing in some Electric Mayola, on the closing extended ensemble piece, Algerie 62.
You can order a copy of Gwakasonne`s Vwayaje directly from Seance Centre.
Reference Links
Ban Ban Ton Ton 