VA - Au Bal Antillais ~ Franco Creole Biguines From Martinique: Early Recordings of Caribbean Dance Musique [Arhoolie, 1992]

01. Ah! Gade Chabine La - Orchestre Antillais De Alexandre Stellio
02. En Sens Unique S.V.P. - Orchestre Antillais De Alexandre Stellio
03. Rialto! Sens Unique - Orchestre Créole “Kaukira Boys" De C. Martial
04. Mettez I Dehro - Alphonso Et Son Orchestre Typique Antillais
05. Mussieu Dollar - Orchestre Antillais De Alexandre Stellio
06. Mussieu Satan Fache - Orchestre Antillais De Alexandre Stellio
07. Balcon Fleuri - Orchestre “Tagada-Biguine" De Alexandre Stellio
08. Ba Mouin En Ti Bo Dou Dou - Orchestre Créole Delvi
09. Belle Madame - Orchestre Créole Delvi
10. A Si Pare - Don Barreto Et Son Orchestre Cubain
11. Paris Biguine - Orchestre Du Biguine
12. Pani Ti Moun - Sam Castandet Et Son Orchestre Antillais
13. Maladie D'amour - Orchestre De La Boule Blanche
14. Cherie - Orchestre Typique Martiniquais Charlery-Delouche
15. Angeina - Sam Castandet Et Son Orchestre Antillais
16. C'est Beguine - Orchestre De La Boule Blanche
17. Retour Au Pays - Orchestre Del's Jazz Biguine
18. Tes Yeux! - Orchestre Del's Jazz Biguine
19. Belle - Belle - Orchestre Créole Delvi 2:56
20. Pour Mettre Un Peu D'entrain - Orchestre Créole “Kaukira Boys" De C. Martial
21. Quand Meme - Orchestre Du Bal Antillais 3:02
22. Olga - Stellio Et Son Orchestra Créole 2:58
23. Amantine! Amantine! - Orchestre Créole Delvi



'An excellent reissue of 78s first recorded from 1929 to 1951 in France of Franco-Creole Biguines from Martinique from the collection of Dick Spottswood. This compact disque issue contains a generous 23 selections [9 more than the 1988 LP issue]. There is a similarity to some of the calypso and New Orleans jazz of the same era, but Martinique has its own sound, rooted in the rhythms of its indigenous dance, the biguine. This music was recorded by Martiniquans living in Paris on major labels of the era. The premier musicians were Alexandre Stellio on clarinet, Ernest Leardée on violin, Orphelien on percussion & trombonist Archange St. Hillaire who performed together and fronted their own groups. This is a pleasing collection of exciting Caribbean music [my mother, who grew up dancing to beguines [Spanish spelling] in her native Virgin Islands, loves it too!] that never has failed to lift my spirits.' ~ kerry blech

such perfect, singular summer listening. nothing else in the world sounds quite like this. Lionel Belasco comes to mind but the proceedings here are far more unhinged & free. one of a kind. 320 thx to espilos.