GWOKA

Gwoka

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The innovative, radical soul of Guadeloupe explored across thirty years of contemporary gwoka music.

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As Guadeloupean vocalist and composer Marie-Line Dahomay writes in her liner notes to the compilation, gwoka is more than a style of music, it is “a way of living and thinking.”

Rooted in the social, musical and ritual practices of enslaved African people and their descendants on Guadeloupe, gwoka has always sought to express the spirit of independence and resistance authentic to the island.

Building on its traditional call-and-response form and the ideas of pivotal figures like Gérard Lockel and Christian Laviso, modern gwoka evolved throughout the second half of the twentieth century to include funk, jazz and electronic influences.

Defined by its propensity for innovation and experimentation, this compilation charts the most radical changes to modern gwoka, capturing a sensory riot of traditional répertoires, rhythms and makè techniques fused with a rich seam of genre-defying experimentation.

Whether heard in the deeply cosmic, spiritual music of Dao, Freydy Doressamy and Gaoulé Mizik, or the jazz funk inflections of Gui Konket and Horizon, the music here is united by the feeling of santiman ka, crucial not only to gwoka music but the identity of Guadeloupe at large.

As co-curator Cédric Lassonde writes: “What unifies these selections is the depth of the compositions, the experimentation around the santiman ka, and the spirit of resistance and liberation against slavery, be it modern or ancestral. With a thirst for innovation typical of the island’s creole culture, the ka spirit is deeply rooted in collective history and in a quest for identity.”

Co-curator Brandon Hocura continues: “The creative energy of these musicians is powerful and demonstrates a universal pursuit of resistance, freedom and identity. Their voices are distinct, but the chorus rises high and carries their message far across the sea.”

Released on double LP, L’Esprit Ka: New Directions in Gwoka Music from Guadeloupe 1981-2010 is the first compilation of its kind to bring the sound of modern gwoka to a wider audience, with many of the musicians features still active today.

Presented with typical attention to detail, the release features a specially commissioned essay by Guadeloupean musician Marie-Line Dahomey, and extensive liner notes from Cédric Lassonde and Séance Centre’s Brandon Hocura. 

True to the hybrid nature of the music, the compilation seeks not to provide a definitive sound, but express the variety of contemporary forms gwoka has grown to take. Just as Guadeloupean trailblazers Kassav fused gwoka with funk and cadence to create zouk, so did the musicians on this collection push gwoka in new directions rarely heard beyond its shores.

In the words of Gérard Lockel, “gwoka is the soul of Guadeloupe”.

Lèspri Ka : New Directions in Gwo Ka Music from Guadeloupe 1981-201

Emboule Jean-Claude, Louison Gerome et Le Groupe Kako - Enjafann Kannn

Gaoulé Mizik - Sonné Lékla Sonné

Dao - Chen'n La

the Creme2laCreme crew (Raphael Top-Secret, Jerome Qpchan and Antoine Kogut) live in the mix at RedLightRadio in Amsterdam on  the 20th of November 2013, all originals vinyls except the Syracuse tracks on CD (min 24 and 42). Big Up to Orpheu and the RLR posse!

Raphael Top-Secret, Jérôme QPchan & Antoine Kogut @ RedLight Radio (11-20-2013)

Part I of a mix entirely dedicated to the spirit of the ka, from gwoka tradisyonel and bouladjel to gwoka modènn, gwoka évolutif and the infinite forms of music creolisations with gwoka at their core. 

Music which is integral to Guadeloupean identity and part of everyday life and struggles within society, at turns deep, fierce, spiritual, soulful, funky, cosmic...

More info here: https://www.cedriclassonde.com/lespri-ka-new-directions-in-gwoka-time-capsule-seance-centre/

(find Part II here: https://soundcloud.com/cedricwoo/lespri-ka-pt-2-gwoka-special)

TRACKLIST:

1- Gui Konket - Kimbé Rèd !
2- Ti Celeste - Chien La Japper
3- Anzala Et Son Groupe - Chofe Fe Attansion
4- Gerard Lockel -  Woulé N°1
5- Horizon - Ti Malo
6- Selekta Ka - Anjelo
7- Ka Lévé - Apre Nou Byen Cheche
8- Van Levé - Celiane
9- Simenn Kontra - Vévé
10- Esnard Boisdur - Devenn
11- Makaia - Ales (CW edit)
12- Michel Laurent -  Matla La Mouyé 
13- Erick Cosaque - Banbou La
14- Eric Brouta - Ma Men Cho
15- Sonny Troupé Quartet - Ki Koté
16- Soft - Jean Fouyé
17- Max et Henri - Mizik A Ka Kafe
18- Kafé - Jili
19- Erick Cosaque & X7 Nouvelle Dimension - Mizik A Gwoka
20- Kan'nida, Francky Geoffroy, Sergius Geoffroy - O Gwo Ka

Lèspri Ka, Pt 1 (Gwoka special)

Part II of a mix entirely dedicated to the spirit of the ka, from gwoka tradisyonel and bouladjel to gwoka modènn, gwoka évolutif and the infinite forms of music creolisations with gwoka at their core. 

Music which is integral to Guadeloupean identity and part of everyday life and struggles within society, at turns deep, fierce, spiritual, soulful, funky, cosmic...

More info here: https://www.cedriclassonde.com/lespri-ka-new-directions-in-gwoka-time-capsule-seance-centre/

(find Part I here: https://soundcloud.com/cedricwoo/lespri-ka-pt-i)

TRACKLIST:

1- Gaoulé Mizik - A Ka Titine (Kay Suzki Gwoka Dub)
2- Kassav - Karambole (CW edit)
3- Esnard Boisdur - Mizik Bel (Africaine 808 remix)
4- Erick Cosaque - Ti Sikriye
5- Voltage-8 - Yo Baw Oh Non
6- Laurent/Coquerelle/Montella - Gaston
7- Gwo Kato - An Ke Toujou Joue Tanbou
8- Groupe Beloka - Menm Chimen La
9- Kimbòl - Vélo
10- Emboule Jean-Claude, Louison Gerome et Le Groupe Kako - Enjafann Kann
11- Luc-Hubert Sejor - Pein e Plesi 
12- Gaoulé Mizik - Koulé
13- Ka Flambé - Konsyans
14- Max Rambhojan - Cecilia
15- Gwakasonné - Respé
16- Freydy Doressami - O Fon A Kê An Nou
17- Dao - Chenn La
18- Esnard Boisdur Et Son Groupe Katel - Lakolè
19- Kalindi Ka - Shouk

Lèspri Ka, Pt 2 (Gwoka special)

y2meta.com - Zouk Retro Vol. 6 by Vladimix (DJ Freaky-D) (128 kbps).mp3

Mix recorded live for Deep Frequency radio in November 2011.

(there are 170 (!) shows streamable and downloadable on the DF website: http://www.deepfrequency.com/archives.php?action=search&djid=10)

Tourbillon #92 - 13/11/ 11

Pour ma maman, éternelle source d'inspiration.

TRACKLIST:

Kokoroko - Abusey Junction
Joe Armon - Jones & Maxwell Owin - Midnite Oil (Sparkzz)
Michel Banabila - Our Alien Voice
Quiet Dawn - The Reed
Phil Stroud - Middle East
Max Manetti - Dub Macumba
Simon Peter - Ark Of Lark (40 Thieves Dub Expansion)
Aki Fukakusa - かけっこ 
Nordsø & Theill - Good Morning
Keith Jarrett / Jack Dejohnette - Pastel Morning
Carlos Maria Trindade / Nuno Canavarro - Plan
Lino Capra Vaccina - Anitico Adagio
Vito Ricci - Parade of the Innocents
Giuseppe Leonardi - Apona & Ataraxia
Arp - Nzuku
Steua De Mare - Babadag
Egberto Gismonti - O Trenzinho Do Caipira
José Manuel - Babylon feat Babacar Dieng (Islandman remix)
Nanou Giuly - Africa/Harmattan
Mickey Hart - Iyanu Surprises/Mysterious Island
Henri Texier - L’Elephant
Randy Weston - Marrakech Blues
Barney Willen - Serenade For Africa
Aziz’ Inanga - Pangue
Les Rapaces - Face A Face
Mamman Sani - Gosi
Yosui Inoue - "Pi Po Pa" 
Modern Manners - Azzahár
Frantz Tuernal - Koultans
Carlos Maria Trindade / Nuno Canavarro - Plan
Don Cherry - Universal Mother
Ramuntcho Matta - Ecoute
Alice Coltrane - Rama Kastha
Alice Coltrane - Bhaja Govindam
Jone Takamaki Trio - Rupavati
Jazz Yatra Sextett - Shanti
Eddy Louiss - Blues For Klook
Louis Bellson/Shelly Manne/Willie Bobo/Pul Humphrey - Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation
Karen Young/Michel Donato - Black Orpheus 
Wróblewski Jazz Quintet - Nana Imboro
Fafá de Belém - Indauê Tupã
Nana Vasconcelos - Ondas
Mombasa - Holz II
Vicky Edimo - Stormy Rain
Nu Guinea - Ddoje Facce
Fox / Sui - Summer Storm
Kazumi Watanabe - ガルーダー (Garuda)
Orquesta De Las Nubes -Me Paro Cuampo Lleva Gafas
Iury Lech - Posmeridiano (Hatchback remix)
Arp - Parallelism
Cosmic Handshakes - Walkabout
WK7 - The Healer
Dazion - Vx Ltd
Joanna Brooke - Diving Deeper, Remembering Love
Veranda Culture - Potential Of We
Sign Libra - Outro
Vermont - Sharav
WOZ - Compassion 
Dwart - Red Mambo (Impromptu)
Rebecca - Time
Sound Voyage - Muay Thai Seven
Amacata & Peter Power - Alma da Terra
Roger Melt - Pleine Lune
Gong - Shamal
Workdub- Caravan Revisited
Ryo Fukui - I Want To Talk About You
Vangelis Katsoulis - The Slipping Beauty Part II
Mind Over Matter - Kandy Sweets
Peter Green - Just For You

70 Songs + 1(- 2)

Very few parties in London attract a following as prolific and faithful as Beauty and the Beat. The East London escapade is run by Cyril Cornet (Belle Bête), Jem and Cedric Woo. It is a party which has spanned more than a ten year legacy, inspiring dancers and encouraging freedom within musical diversity at every turn. As such, there is is no preconceived sound, the music is free flowing and has become a firm favourite amidst selectors and dj's galore. However, what has always been most prevalent is the commitment of the residents behind the scenes. 

Cedric Woo remains an innovative figure within music culture in the capital, the French disc jockey has a renowned reputation for his selection and digging. His own sets are far reaching and draws from a broad remit of influences. No two sets are the same and every time he delivers something as uniquely sumptuous as the last, a true dj in the purest sense. 

It was with much delight that he chose to place this mix with Ransom Note, a formidable collection of music spanning a breadth of genres and style collected from various visits overseas.

Cedric Woo

Read & Download

Cedric Woo: The 'Wednesday Alternative' Mix

Biberonné à la musique de Pink Floyd et grand amateur de musiques latines, Cedric Woo organise depuis 2005 les soirées Beauty & The Beat à Londres où se mêle sons audiophiles et musiques cosmiques tropicales.
C'est en repensant à un after chez lui où les chaussures étaient enlevées, la discussion inexistante mais les oreilles grandes ouvertes qu'il nous a proposé cette sélection. 
Une ambiance de rêve pour jouer des morceaux atypiques et des grooves organiques : " Tout se danse même quand il n'y a pas de beat".

Lien Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cedwoo/
                            https://www.facebook.com/igotalittlelove/
Artwork : Martin Rose

Les Vinyles Du Dimanche #3 - Cedric Woo / Beauty & The Beat

Edition # 182 (!) of the Tourbillon series (started in 2007), and the first one in over a year and a half. As usual recorded à la casa with 100% vinyl.

Think about a Sunday afternoon/after party kinda vibe.

Le Tourbillon (#182)

here and now

mix recorded in may 2020
photo by janine kühn

Here and Now

A celebration of life and music, recorded with love for my father's 70th birthday.

70 (+3): Serenade For My Father

Support and follow: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/yosoynadie/

https://time-capsule.space/portfolio_cat/pol-valls/

Alae Records Podcast Vol XII By Pol Valls.

This podcast episode is a real gift for us in 2021. 

Our friend Pol Valls, music lover, record collector, and curator for London based label Time-Capsule has put together for us a selection of some of his favorite deep and spiritual music playing a variety of genres and styles. We hope you enjoy it.

Tracklist:

01 - Geinoh Yamashirogumi - Shudarahigyo (1977, Japan)
02 - Soothing Songs For Babies (Berceuses Du Monde) - Come Now And Sleep My Child (1997, Greece)
03 - Igor Len - Здесь... (1989, Russia)
04 - Steven Halpern & Georgia Kelly - Ancient Echoes (1978, US)
05 - Amaia Zubiria & Pascal Gaigne - Itxasoan Laino Dago (1985, Spain)
06 - Camarón - Nana Del Caballo Grande (1979, Spain)
07 - Vangelis - We Were All Uprooted (1973, Greece)
08 - Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors - Nomad (1992, US)
09 - Les Aborigenes - Chants Et Danses De L’ Australie Du Nord (1980, France)
10 - Jorge Reyes - La Diosa De Las Águilas (1986, Mexico) 
11 - Yaki Kandru - Cantos De La Danza Del Venado De Los Indigenas Yaqui (1982, Germany)
12 - Little Egoists - Ballad For Old Men (1988, Switzerland)
13 -  Les Nouvelles Polyphonies Corses Avec Hector Zazou - Anima (1991, France)
14 - Guy Buttery & Kanada Narahari - Sonokota (2019, South Africa)
15 - Roberto Aglieri - Made In Terraneo 2 (2017, Italy)
16 - Jean-Michel Jarre - Tokyo Kid (1988, France)
17 - Luis Delgado - El Serrallo (1990, Spain)
18 - Fizzè - Kulu Hatha Mamnua (1989, Switzerland) 
19 - Cuco Pérez - Calabó y Bambú (1990, Spain)
20 - Jonny Nash - Abstract Thoughts (2013, Japan)
21 - Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors - Stefania's Song (2005, US)
22 - Michel Magne - Voyage En Eau Profonde (1980, France)