WCMF night one – A Zouk lover’s dream

Dissip Gazzman pays homage to Jeff Joe

The 16th edition of the World Creole Music Festival kicked off on Friday evening with a night of Bouyon, Compas and Zouk.

Despite complaints of a poor line up, the night featured a series of electrifying performances which had patrons constantly on their feet and moving to the beats.

First up for the night was Martinique Zouk artiste Thierry Marthély. He had his work cut out for him because when he started out the venue was practically empty and he had to get the juices flowing. Relatively unknown among Zouk fans, the artiste had one thing on his side: he is the brother of the well-known Jean-Philippe Marthély, one of the core members of the legendary group, Kassav.

Marthély’s performance was suprisingly good. He whipped the growing crowd into a frenzy with a series of Zouk and Compas songs which actually had patrons asking for more.

And that was just the beginning for Disip Gazzman of Haiti followed with an appearance that was to get more energy flowing with some good Compas performances. Off to a slow start the rhythm soon picked up and Compas’ trademark sounds of the sax and guitar soon filled the air. Lead singer Gazzman Couleur, actually mingled with the crowd and was lifted into the air and was carried, almost ceremoniously, around the front of the stage.

The early part of the night was topped off with the appearance of the energetic local Bouyon star, Asa Banton who obviously had a great impact on the crowd. One of his performances included throwing bottles of water into the crowd and the water was then thrown into the air upon command, giving one the impression that they were in the middle of a rain storm.

But what really had Zouk connoisseurs on their toes in excitement were performances from two well-known voices from the golden age of Zouk: Tanya Saint Val and Zouk Machine.

Zouk Machine exploded on the Zouk scene in the heydey of the genre. It was a time when the French Antilles airwaves were saturated with music from diverse groups and individuals such as Ronald Rubinel, Malavoi, Edith Lefel, Annick et Jean Claude, Experience 7 among others which has now been lumped into what is popularly known today as Zouk Retro.

In that mix emerged the all-girl band Zouk Machine whose popularity soared into the stratosphere with smash hit Maldon in 1989. The single sold over a million copies and the band’s reputation was sealed. Although the band has since broken up the appearance of Christiane Obydol, an original member, was a good treat. Her performance was lively enough and brought back many memories of the days when Zouk ruled supreme.

Not to be out-done, Tanya Saint Val put on a lively, exciting appearance. Saint Val started her career by touring with Zouk Machine and Experience 7 and has since etched her name in the annals of Zouk history. Her voice was clear and penetrating despite 22 years of singing and performances.

And then there was Luc Leandry, another voice from the golden age of Zouk, who gained popularity in the late 1980’s with his debut album, Fanm bo Kannal. Leandry’s performance, along with Stephane Ravor provided a nostalgic-like Zouk atmosphere which gave the impression that you were back in he late 80’s and early ’90s when Zouk was king.

The night came to an end with WCK which is without doubt among Dominica’s top bands and one of the pioneers of Bouyon music. With a combination of old and new hits the group was able to keep patrons rocking into the wee hours of the morning.

The first night of WCMF was undoubtedly a Zouk lover’s dream come true and a fitting tribute to Jeff Jo the legend, whose name was never far from the lips of the performers who took to the stage.

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19 Comments

  1. WCKist
    October 29, 2012

    after rocking the lime creole in the park
    you followed up with quite a blinder on friday at the wcmf
    wow you are truly the pride and joy of dominica
    no ck no festival
    we love you
    quite a find
    what atalent
    a definite tremendous performance
    well done W C K

  2. boss
    October 28, 2012

    Admin the first bird brain retard comment need to get off this page cause this idiot is dissing my country our country. we don’t need your damn idiotic self to promote our country so get out and fork aff

  3. October 28, 2012

    This night was just the best night ever! Enjoyed the performance by Zouk Machine 5Star night

  4. Anonymous
    October 28, 2012

    The writer appears to know his onions. He made me wish I was there. I am happy that the fans had a great time. The performers, despite that they are not major headliners, gave their best and had the crowd asking for more.

  5. LCM
    October 28, 2012

    I must say that was a good piece. I love zouk music and it is almost painfull not being able to make it home for the festival. I am shivering reading this. Please keep the cadance zouk and compa alive. It is our music, negro music, black music, great music, so lets own it.

  6. Anonymous
    October 28, 2012

    happy independence 2 all dominicans havz a good 1

  7. Anonymous
    October 27, 2012

    i had a blast at sweet 16 lastnite and i will surely be dr for d rest of d nites respect wck all the time they put on a great show

  8. Annette
    October 27, 2012

    I agree…security needs better training. It was awful the unnecessary situations they were creating towards certain individuals.

  9. Baris
    October 27, 2012

    I will not promote Dominica because of the behavior of certain officials and their attitude at the WCMF. Shame!

    • October 28, 2012

      I understand what you a saying I agree with you but I refuse to make the set of idiots prevent me from promoting my beautiful Island DOMINICA for it’s above them so please dont allow them to win your heart is drawn to the wonders of our nature Island, try to get the latest DVD about D’ica from Discover D’ica when I saw it I know then and there we have to promte and keep our Culture alive for the world to see so dont give up on DOMINICA it’s worth it .

    • antedote for fools
      October 28, 2012

      This is a trailer load of BS!

  10. October 27, 2012

    for those people who know music last night performances were superb especially the zouk all stars and terri martele. well done

  11. angel
    October 27, 2012

    STUPESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

  12. Track lover
    October 27, 2012

    what time did the show start?The ticket said 9.30pm.No wonder the park was empty for the first act.

  13. Teddddddyyyy
    October 27, 2012

    Friday was great and loved the zouk line up, Asa was really good but needs to focus more on controlling the crowd but it is quite obvious that he will mature with more performances. Disip Big respect and WCK was Wck. No regrets about the night and the drinks and food prices are reasonable as well.

  14. DOMINICA
    October 27, 2012

    ASA! Sorry but your lyrics on Friday night was pure RUBBISH, except for the part that was tributed to JEFF JOE, this was “WELL DONE”.

    kill the cockroach, spray the baygon, i not your friend; do you forget we have foreigners here and listening overseases?

    Please ASA, our young people need songs with “PROPER LYRICS.”

    Please put proper lyrics to what you want to call songs and remember you are doing it for the youths.

    Please take my Criticism is one to develop your product and not one to get you upset.

    Be Bless.

    • Anonymous
      October 29, 2012

      thought i was the only one who thought his lyrics is crap.he has a good singing voice the beats are catchy…

  15. hopefull
    October 27, 2012

    lastnite was great but what was up with the calypos carnival is not that far zouk is zouk

  16. Really n Turly
    October 27, 2012

    Man i slept on the floor next to the computer till 530 befor i got up to go to work for 7’oclock.it was nice and clear on dbs,the comemtry by alex,rabress and the next guy, also is it brian francis? the teck man,they were interactive and informative,like the vibes.
    will be listening up there in the northeast of the usa.

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