Zouk in Guadeloupe

A pan Caribbean sound with French flavor

virginvoices.com staff

Zouk music, which originated in Guadeloupe, and Martinique has an unmistakable rythmn.

Zouk means "party," and it will make anyone feel festive.

The band Kassav, celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, put Zouk and Guadeloupe and Martinique on the world music map.

It adoped elements from reggae and salsa, to create a distinctly pan Caribbean sound.

Kassav was formed in 1979 by Pierre-Edouard Décimus. The band's first album, Love and Ka Dance created a music sensation.

A later album in 1985 featured the international hit Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni.

Zouk rapidly became an international phenomenom, and Kassav' became famous for its theatrical concerts with colorful costumes and speical effects.

Photo: Kassav at a "party."Photo courtesy Kassav.