Au Bal Antillais: Franco-Creole Beguines from Martinique – Various Artists / Arhoolie CD-7013

Description

Arhoolie CD 7013

Remastered from historic 78rpm recordings & edited by Richard K. Spottswood. All recordings except #10 made in Paris France.

1. Ah! Gade Chabine La ‚ Orchestre Antillais de Alexandre Stellio
2. En Sens Unique S.V.P. ‚ Orchestre Antillais de Alexandre Stellio
3. Rialto! Sens Unique ‚ Orchestre Créole “Kaukira Boys” De C. Martia
4. Mettez I Dehro ‚ Alphonso Mettiz Et Son Orchestre Typique Antillais
5. Mussieu Dollar ‚ Orchestre Antillais de Alexandre Stellio
6. Mussieu Satan Fache ‚ Orchestre Antillais de Alexandre Stellio
7. Balcon Fleuri ‚ Orchestre “Tagada-Biguine” De Alexandre Stellio
8. Ba Mouin En Ti Bo Dou Dou ‚ Orchestre Créole Delvi
9. Belle Madame ‚ Orchestre Créole Delvi
10. A Si Pare ‚ Don Barreto Et Son Orchestre Cubain
11. Paris Biguine ‚ Orchestre Du Bal Antillais
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 Mazurka
15. Angeina ‚ Sam Castandet et son Orchestre Antillais
16. C’est Biguine ‚ Orchestre De La Boule Blanche
17. Retour Au Pays ‚ Orchestre Dell’s Jazz Biguine
18. Tes Yeux! ‚ Orchestre Dell’s Jazz Biguine
19. Belle-Belle ‚ Orchestre Créole Delvi
20. Pour Mettre Un Peu D’entrin ‚ Orchestre Créole “Kaukira Boys” De C. Martia
21. Quand Meme ‚ Orchestre Du Bal Antillais
22. Olga ‚ Stellio Et Son Orchestre Créole
23. Amantine! Amantine! ‚ Stellio Et Son Orchestre Créole

REVIEW

“This is an excellent reissue of 78s first recorded from 1929 to 1951 in France of Franco-Creole Biguines from Martinique. This CD 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 and 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 — Victory Review)