French Kisses in the Carribean

A selection of great songs from great French artists from the Caribbean:


A traditional song from Guadeloupe, by gwoka legend Anzala.

Anzala Feat Esnard Boisdur - Krab Ka Déklaré


Another legend, the very deep singer and musician, Eugène Mona:


A song about the February 74 drama, when the police killed two demonstrators during a strike in Martinique.
Kolo Barst - Février 74



Alain Jean-Marie & Robert Mavounzy - Nous les cuisinières

New French songs

A few nice songs from 2012.
I don't have much time to update the blog lately.

One of the most awaited album of the year, by Zebda, 10 years after their last album.
Zebda - (Second Tour, 2012)

Some rock :
Dionysos - Cloudman (Bird'n' Roll, 2012)



The songwriter of Zaz, in a humorous and political song about the clichés and prejudices that French from Arab descents are victims.
Kerredine Soltani - Je veux m'intégrer(2012)


A rap track by Guizmo, a very talented new comer. With a Françoise hardy sample.
Guizmo - Le Premier Chagrin du jour (La banquise)



And also:

Elephant - Rien (Rien, 2012)


Da Silva - La crise (La distance - 2012)

Feelings for you

There's are chances you know the song Feelings, but do you know the story behind it? From France to Turkey, from Brazil to the World.

The song was composed by French Loulou Gasté and Albert Simonin in 1956 under the Frenh name "Pour Toi" (for you). This song was sung by Dario Moreno, a Turkish singer who made his career in France, and remembered for his catchy songs, in chanson, operetta, or latin-american influenced rhythms.

Dario Moreno - Pour Toi (OST le feu aux poudres, 1957)


20 years later, Morris Albert, a Brazilian musician, adapted the song with new lyrics in English. Without mentioning where the melody where from... It would cost him a lots of money when he lost his trial. The song became on of the biggest world hit in the history, selling millions.

Morris Albert - Feelings (1974)

"Feelings" was covered by many artists, like Frank Sinatra, Caetano Veloso and also translated in French by Mike Brant. But the best is this live recording of Nina Simone, able to turn a cheesy tune into this beautiful and moving moment. 10 minutes of grace, much better than the original recordings of Pour toi/feelings!

Nina Simone - Feelings (Jazz Montreux festival, 1976)

shaka ponk

Enjoy the electro rock of Shaka Ponk!

SHAKA PONK - My name is Stain (2011)


SHAKA PONK - Palabra Mi Amor (feat. Bertrand Cantat) (2011)

2011

What's new in French music? Some suggestions.

In chanson:
Camille - Ilo veyou (Ilo Veyou, 2011)




Amusing and sensitive songs very well written. Oldelaf is the guy who wrote Le café.
Oldelaf - Comme je peux (Le Monde est beau, 2011)

Luce - J'me fume (Première phalange, 2011)


A French reggae hit:
Danakyl - Quitter Paname (Dialogue de sourd, 2011)


And two big hits:

Booba, gave to French rap some of his masterpieces (Mauvais Oeil, Panthéon, Temps Mort). His new songs are not as good unfortunately, but still much better than most of French rap.
Booba - Scarface (Autopsie vol 4, 2011)


Not my kind of music, but one of the biggest 2011'shit. A mix between dancehall and varieté.
Colonel Reyel - Aurélie
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Kavinsky is driving

The main song from the OST of the great movie Drive is a big hit in France right now. Drive may looks like an american movie but is also quite European: the director is Danish, and the OST has been composed by a French musician: Kavinsky. Notice that his EP Nightcall has been produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (member of the Daft punk).

Kavinsky - Nightcall (2010)

Hot tracks

Long time no see? It's new, it's good, and it's made in France.

Arthur H - Cheval de Feu (baba love, 2011)


Nekfeu & Alpha Wann - Monsieur sable (En sous-marin, 2011). This very nice and fresh rap EP is freely available for download here.


Cyril Mokaiesh - Des jours inouïs (Du rouge et des passions, 2011)


Debout sur le zinc (Sur le fil, 2011)