#kassav'

[boricuacherry-blog]

He added, "Without being politicians or activists, Kassav' carried it all. From our faces to the themes in our songs, everything was very clear: We were West Indian, there should be no mistake, we wanted to mark our difference."

One of his bands in the 1970s, Zulu Gang, included musicians from Cameroon. Mr. Desvarieux also worked with the Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango, who had the international hit "Soul Makossa."

In 1979, in Paris, Mr. Desvarieux met Pierre-Edouard Decimus, a musician from Guadeloupe with an ambitious concept for a new band: strongly rooted in the West Indies but reaching outward. "We were looking to find a soundtrack that synthesized all the traditions and previous sounds, but that could be exported everywhere," Mr. Desvarieux said.

Kassav' was named after a Guadeloupean dish, a cassava-flour pancake, and also after ka, a drum. A zouk was a dance party, and a 1984 hit by Mr. Desvarieux, "Zouk-La-Se-Sel Medikaman Nou Ni" ("Zouk Is the Only Medicine We Have"), made the word zouk synonymous with the band's style.

In Luanda, the capital of Angola, there is a museum of zouk, La Maison du Zouk, that has a collection of 10,000 albums. Mr. Desvarieux and Pierre-Edouard Decimus attended its opening in 2012.

Throughout the band's career, even after Kassav' was signed to multinational labels and encouraged to sing in English, the band's lyrics were always in French Antilles Creole, insisting on its island heritage.

"The music is a stronger language than the language itself," Mr. Desvarieux said in 1986.

[blackbrownfamily]

Ayiti 1805

[now-you-sound-like-a-jedi]

Marchion Ro: Kassav definitely killed my father.

Lourna Dee: *throws a blanket over her collection of murder weapons* Oh, yeah, definitely.

Marchion Ro: Or, actually, maybe it was Pan...

Lourna Dee: *closes the door to hide the dartboard with Asgar Ro's face on it* That son of a bitch!

[darth-memes]

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures comes out in 17 days!

[tenrose]

Y'all look at my wedding costume 🥰

[aburningconstellation]

(small light of the jedi spoilers)

I was listening to the light of the jedi audiobook (again) & kassav has this one line about the nihil only existing to funnel credits from the bottom to the top & now all I can think about it the nihil being a massive pyramid scheme lol

[nianiba]

Kassav is an emblematic group in Caribbean music, its story begins with Pierre-Edouard Decimus, a member of Les VIKINGS, and Freddy Marshall, who conceive an innovative approach. Teaming up with Georges Decimus and Jacob Desvarieux, the group blends traditional Gwoka rhythms with modern techniques to create a new sound. Kassav emerges as an experimental concept, driven by reflection and a desire for progression. The first album, "Love and Ka Dance," is released in 1979.

Kassav evolves through various formations, exploring names like "Soukwé kò'w" or Kassav. The group stands out by predominantly performing live, recording numerous albums collectively and over thirty solo albums by its members . KASSAV was as well composed of Jocelyne Béroard , Jean Pierre Bélony, Patrick Saint Eloi, Jean Claude Naimro and Claude Villa . 

Kassav became a symbol of pride and recognition for Caribbean music, captivating an expanding audience in Guadeloupe, Martinique, France and worldwide and where it embodies an identifying culture for youth distant from their island origins. The initial albums, deemed "ethnic" by major labels, are produced by Caribbean record companies and distributed by Sonodisc. From 1984 to 1987, Kassav partners with GD Productions, gaining international recognition with the 1984 album "Zouk-la sé sel médikaman nou ni," there by popularizing the term "Zouk" for their musical style.

Since 1985, Kassav has toured the world, drawing massive crowds in Africa, the Caribbean, France, and beyond. Hits like "Kolé séré" and "Zouk-la sé sel médikaman nou ni" enjoy great success. Despite distribution challenges, their impact endures, even inspiring new dances and musical styles. The story of Kassav, which commenced three decades ago in the Caribbean islands, showcases a unique creative fusion and a lasting musical influence on a global scale.

Photography of KASSAV festival de cannes in 1984 - Photographer unknown 

[haitianculture509]

[pulcheriebalhoud]

ZOUK - Kassav Mwen Malad Aw

[boricuacherry-blog]

She was one of the members of the group Kassav, along with Jacob Desvarieux, Jean-Philippe Marthely, Patrick St. Eloi, Jean-Claude Naimro, Claude Vemur and Georges Decimus.

In 1986 she won a double disc of gold for her solo album Siwo and song 'Kole Sere.' She was the first Caribbean singer in history to get a gold record in France. She's also the first professional woman zouk singer from Martinique to compose and sing her own songs.

She has also worked with other artists such as the Haitian compas band Tabou Combo.

[oublietonorgueil]

Zouk La Sé Sel Médikaman Nou Ni

[ueslangeais]

KASSAV' 3ème album (1981) complet - (c.c.) -