“The original members of Gramacks never really stopped playing music per se. We were not playing together as a band, but since the band broke up, we all continued playing individually.”
A quote from one Dominica’s biggest cadence bands of the seventies, Gramacks, who, along with the creators of cadence-lypso music, Exile One, can be credited with having significantly impacted the French Caribbean with that music.
The band has released its second CD since it was revived in 2009.
Grammacks original front man, the late Jeff Jo, was not part of that revival and Linford John, former lead singer of the group “Billomen”, was enlisted to fill that position.
“Because of modern technology, we were able to complete this CD without any of us being in the same room together, at any given time, during the entire recording process! That, we think, is quite remarkable!” Gramacks state in a press release.
The group’s first CD was entitled “Get Up,” and according to them ” we basically maintained the traditional Gramacks music and sound. One would readily recognize the Gramacks of yesteryear on that effort”
That CD is still available from any member of Gramacks or CD Baby, at [email protected].
With the second CD entitled appropriately enough, “Gramacks Paka Lager”, which, when translated means, “Gramacks Not Letting Go” the group says it decided to move in a slightly different direction.
“We’re essentially trying to take the music from Dominica to the world at large; and with the internet, that possibility has all the likelihood of becoming a reality, and we fully intend to embrace it!” affirm the Dominican band, now based in California.
The idea they say, is to make music “a little more palatable to the outside world, yet maintain the culture, in our Dominican music……We sincerely hope that you, the fans of Gramacks, will enjoy it as much as we did bringing it to you!”
Here’s one of the songs from the new Grammacks “PaKa Lager” CD.
We’d like to thank everyone for the comments and suggestions. We’ll surely keep them in mind as we continue on this journey. A journey in the pursuit of musical excellence. Rest assured that we’re in it for the long haul. We’d also like to assure everyone that, as far as we’re concerned, Gramacks includes the four of us pictured above, plus Curvin and Mackie. The fact that they are not pictured is irrelevant. They are and will always be members of Gramacks. Thank you to all our fans for your continued support. God bless!
what’s wrong with my people nor?while these guys put there diffrences aside and making sweet music; some haters still fighting, for what?man life too short, put a hot fig in your mouth and shot up, jean shit and the rest of it.
Dominican music away from Dominica. An irresistible treat to all the natives who reside elsewhere.
KEEP THEM COMING BOYS!
Curvin did not form the group but was part of gramacks formation.
Not bad at all! A little Grammacks + Some Bouyon = Real Dominican music. Keep it up..will be buying my CD pronto!
The sound quality of the music is much to be desired, thought the guys would continue on the same line of music the original Grammacks trade mark, noit too sure if this project is going to be commercial viable, guys think it over, listen to the music of the pass, compare and contrast and then you will be able to move on and improve on the current production, the quality is too light and the music does not represent the ofrce that i knew growing up and listening to Grammacks in my village of Massacre
Garcon, Some of all you Dominicans just full of it! “The sound quality of the music leaves much to be desired?” Compared to what? The crap that you listen to from some of those other guys who can’t hold a note? You want those guys to GO BACK to what they were playing in the seventies?
Let me take this opportunity, to congratulate you Gramacks guys on bringing some real music to the table! Sounding good! Don’t give up!
Garcon, all you people just full of it! “The sound quality of the music leaves much to be desired?” Compared to what? Some of the crap that you listen to of the other guys who can hardly hold a note? You want those guys to GO BACK to what they were playing thirty-forty years ago?
Keep the music coming guys! Love it!
Sounding good.
I am not sure whether DNO in mentioned in their news that “Rising Sun” from Wesley released a music video also. But that is someone with a lot of talent – he writes, sings, and one of the best dancers in D/ca. Check him out. Keep the positive news flowing.
I love Grammacks!
proper
curvin & mackie grammacks original.tepam & bolo stop fightin for fame…..
Jane Smith, the last time i checked, Curvin had left the band. Of his own free will to boot! Why don’t you go buy his last SOLO album he released last year? You seem to know more than everybody else!
curvin & mackie original grammacks…..bolo & tepam stop fightin for fame ….. sen joe ppl not with u all …..
curvin & mackie original grammmacks….. stop fighting for fame tepam & bolo.senjoe ppl not with u all.
Lynford John’s voice is still a force. Good music. But with everyting on the internet, how them guys reallying going to make money from those recordings? Educate me!!!
let jeff jo R.I.P ,soul, bolo & tepam didn`t want to perform with him for the senjoe reunion.
All you people does just say what all you want!
Did you sit down at a meeting between Jeff, Bolo, Soul and Tepam, in reference to St. Joe reunion? SMH!
fighting for fame u left out curvin and mackie. curvin was the one who formed grammacks
Curvin was part of the formation of the group,but he did not form gramacks.
Way papa RIP Br.J.J.U were the best we ever had.
nice
Sounding Good!!
Sounding good – Domincans make sure to listen