Pier' Rosier

A Martiniquan singer of traditional music who went the zouk route in 1985 with a first-rate group of Paris-based musicians calling themselves Gazoline. Artistic differences between Rosier and the band led to their breakup in late 1987, so Rosier went on to form his own handpicked band of underlings, which he named Gazolinn'. His entire catalog, with both bands, is worth hearing, strong on chouval-bwa-influenced rhythms and providing some of the most serious hard-edged "zouk chire" this side of Kassav' (in terms of technical and songwriting excellence). The Shanachie Records anthology is a fine introduction and includes many of the best of Rosier's collaborations with the original Gazoline.