“These CDs are available in their own right or as part of the twenty CD ‘The Dance Master Classics – Anthologie des musiques de danse du monde’ series (split into two volumes – these are volume 9 and 10 respectively of the second anthology) that aims to look at and emphasise the relationship between dance and various forms of world music.
The ‘Biguine’ CD is a strong set of largely post-war French Caribbean music, mostly recorded in Paris and with the emphasis on the 1950s – of the twenty tracks, all but three titles from the 1940s and two titles from 1966 are from that decade. It opens with The Original Biguine Creole Band’s 1957 updating of ‘Serpent Maigre’ – a number originally recorded by Stellio, the first to put beguine on record, at his debut session in 1929 – neatly illustrating the continuity and change in post-war beguine; by following it with Abel Beauregard’s well-known ‘La Guadeloupéenne’ of 1950, the set also cleverly presents the more accessible side of the music. Big names such as saxmen Robert Mavounzy (a modernist who also recorded bebop), the pioneering Félix Valvert, clarinettist Ernest Léardée, and drummer Sam Castendet all lead their bands though some lovely beguine material. Many of these lilting titles are reminiscent of classic New Orleans jazz, sometimes with hints (or more) of then current Latin-American styles, and the rhythm sections – and occasionally guitar – are far more evident than in the pre-war recordings.
The last six tracks focus on the other aspects of the album title: there are three Creole waltzes and three Creole mazurkas, and these do sound rather more formal, stiffer and, well, older (with the notable exception of Sam Castendet’s ‘La Rue Zabyme’), though it is still good to have them. On the subject of which, long-time collectors of reissues of Antillean music should check their shelves as they may already have most of this music. Those who don’t, however, will find plenty to enjoy on these polished, very entertaining, and well-rounded collections. And yes, they should get your feet tapping, if nothing else!”
By Norman DARWEN – BLUES & RHYTHM
The ‘Biguine’ CD is a strong set of largely post-war French Caribbean music, mostly recorded in Paris and with the emphasis on the 1950s – of the twenty tracks, all but three titles from the 1940s and two titles from 1966 are from that decade. It opens with The Original Biguine Creole Band’s 1957 updating of ‘Serpent Maigre’ – a number originally recorded by Stellio, the first to put beguine on record, at his debut session in 1929 – neatly illustrating the continuity and change in post-war beguine; by following it with Abel Beauregard’s well-known ‘La Guadeloupéenne’ of 1950, the set also cleverly presents the more accessible side of the music. Big names such as saxmen Robert Mavounzy (a modernist who also recorded bebop), the pioneering Félix Valvert, clarinettist Ernest Léardée, and drummer Sam Castendet all lead their bands though some lovely beguine material. Many of these lilting titles are reminiscent of classic New Orleans jazz, sometimes with hints (or more) of then current Latin-American styles, and the rhythm sections – and occasionally guitar – are far more evident than in the pre-war recordings.
The last six tracks focus on the other aspects of the album title: there are three Creole waltzes and three Creole mazurkas, and these do sound rather more formal, stiffer and, well, older (with the notable exception of Sam Castendet’s ‘La Rue Zabyme’), though it is still good to have them. On the subject of which, long-time collectors of reissues of Antillean music should check their shelves as they may already have most of this music. Those who don’t, however, will find plenty to enjoy on these polished, very entertaining, and well-rounded collections. And yes, they should get your feet tapping, if nothing else!”
By Norman DARWEN – BLUES & RHYTHM
