Double jeu - EP

Double Jeu has produced an album that puts out steam and was a big seller in the French Antilles. The album stands out from the somewhat insipid zouk love releases that have flooded the market. Although stingy at just under 30 minutes, each track is strong. Turn the volume and bass up on "Missie Bena" and "La Vie Ce On Comba." The changes are inventive and fresh and the percussion, although mostly synthetic, weaves that polyrhythmic dance that the French Antilleans have down pat. The horn work by the Zas Horns is the real thing and the arrangements have bite and sting that swing. Various members of the group contribute to the lead vocals. The French Antilleans are masters of change and surprise. Some of the beginnings and transitions to the bridges of the songs have to be heard to be believed. Veteran bassist Frederick Caracas also has tweaked the drum programming to a high pitch. Zouk is alive and well in Guadeloupe and Martinique — Double Jeu has made sure of that with this release.