Recorded by Alan Lomax, assisted by Antoinette Marchand

Notes by Julien Gerstin and Dominique Cyrille

With its striking Afro-French Creole culture, Martinique nurtures a unique musical heritage: drum dances, quadrilles, chant-fables, and popular urban styles such as the beguine and mazouk. Caught at a pivotal moment in the island’s history, Lomax’s recordings feature powerful traditional composer/musicians such as Ti Raoul Grivalliers, and foreshadow zouk and ragga.

“This CD is magical.” —Rambles

“Yet another landmark CD in the ‘Caribbean Journey’ sector of Rounder’s Lomax series.” —Musical Traditions