Those that know me can attest that I have a bit of obsessive streak. In terms of music it usually happens like this—I come across one record that I know nothing about, but looks interesting. I take that record home and upon first listening I fall in love with it. With that one record a whole new world that I never realized was there is now calling on me to come explore and I’m helpless to resist. Since this past Spring my obsession has been with music from the French Antilles (Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica), specifically during the 1970s, which happens to piggyback perfectly on my previous obsession, Haitian kompa. At the time I posted some incredible carnival music by Les Chanteurs des Isles du Vent, but the record that started it all for me was this rather ordinary looking 7″ by Super Combo. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find much info on this group or even the style of music other than what I’ve read about the producer/label owner, Henri Debs. I know there is a strong similarity to konpa, but it is definitely different. I’m not sure if it’s the music is referred to as Biguine Kombass, Cadance, or just early Zouk. Take a listen to this song called Compe Dimba, let me know what you think and if you’d like to hear more of this music. Of course if you have any info on music from the French Antilles (70s-early 80s), I would be grateful to hear it. Enjoy!
Compe Dimba by Super Combo
~Pozole
I think the melodies and harmonies are most different… between Haiti and Antilles. The cultural background, music history etc…In the beginning section the horns are cadence rempa while the sax sounds as merengue. The piano solo I would call typical antillean, the horn section after has typical antillean flavor as well…Some antillean productions sounded very haitian, but most less. While many haitian albums 1975 / 76 sound very antillean.Biguine has a total different rhythm.I would call it cadence. While the basic rhythm is compas.Beginning to mid 80s you have records were some songs are more cadence and other songs on it began to switch into zouk…