Kassav' #5

The founding fathers of zouk, Pierre-Edouard Decimus, George Decimus, and Jacob Desvarieux, appear on this early Kassav' release featuring three tracks from the 1979 Love and Ka Dance and the remainder of the tracks from 1980's Lague Moin. The group was experimenting not only with musical styles at this time, but was also trying to find the right mix of musicians. Freddie Marshall, who went on to produce many zouk artists, is at the production helm on this date. The zouk explosion had not yet occurred, but the elements were brewing. The opening track, "Kassav," an 11-minute percussive anthem to the St. Jean carnival rhythm, shows the latent power of the musical ideas and musicianship of what was to become an international phenomena in a few short years. "Soleil," later done in a more highly produced style on Vini Pou, is sparse and haunting here. The American '70s soul and funk influence is prominent on some tracks, as the evolving sound of zouk took shape from diverse elements. All of the tracks on this album were written by one or both of the Decimus brothers. Seminal listening for zouk fans.