Soundway Records

The roots of the Antillean biguine sound are probably in the meeting of early “hot” jazz from New Orleans and Paris...

Often overlooked in the English-speaking Caribbean, the scattering drums and soaring clarinets of the biguine ruled the airwaves and dancefloors of Martinique and Guadeloupe in the 1960s.

Tumbele showcases the vibrancy of the scene on the islands in the ‘60s and ‘70s – a scene that would go on to develop the all-conquering sound of zouk in the ‘80s.

The roots of the Antillean biguine sound are probably in the meeting of early “hot” jazz from New Orleans and Paris, combined with the rhythms that came over on the slave ships from Africa. Overlooked outside of Paris, Montreal and the French Caribbean for many years, this collection redresses the balance by presenting the vital sounds of Martinique and Guadeloupe – the missing pieces of the musical jigsaw puzzle of the Caribbean.

REVIEWS

"Blending jazz, calypso and Afro-Cuban forms it can sound like a lo-fi Gorillaz out take.” UNCUT (UK)

“The music is a revelation.” MOJO MAGAZINE (UK)