Sakésho - Andy Narell - ( Laventille ) - Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Artiste of the Day

Sakésho - Andy Narell - July 31, 2020 - Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Artiste of the Day Sakésho is a jazz quartet band based in France. Sakésho (pronounced Sah Kay Show) takes a lot of their influence from the syncopated, polyrhythmic music from the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. The band has developed an expertise at the interpretation and new creation of the beguine. The beguine is a dance, similar to a slow rumba, that was very modestly popular in the 1930s, coming from the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, where the Martinique beguine is a slow close dance with a roll of hips. The band members are Mario Canonge (piano), Michel Alibo (bass) and Jean-Philippe Fanfant (drums); all born in the French Caribbean, plus USA-born Andy Narell (steelpan). Their first CD release was the self-titled Sakésho (2002). Andy Narell wrote three of the compositions on each of the CDs. His calypso flavoured Laventille featuring a tasteful piano solo by Mario, has been popular on the radio play circuit throughout the years. Mabouya, another Andy original, (meaning BIG, slow lizard in Creole) is based on the standard polyrhythm from the French Caribbean. The highlight for me on this CD is Andy’s Song for Mia which he later released on his CD, The Passage. The second CD is entitled We Want You to Say (2005) and the group kicks off the session ‘hot and sweaty’ with a composition by Mario entitled Bwa Moudong immediately announcing that they had no intention of releasing the stranglehold on our polyrhythmic necks. The effective drumming and chanting on Ewa Belia written by Jean-Philippe Fanfant and featuring vocalist Angelique Kidjo, is hauntingly shango-like. The CD even ventured into some ska music with Dance Ska La then moved nicely into the title track composed by bassist Michel Alibo, We Want You to Say. The tonal production and playing on this track brought back shades of Jaco Pastorius and Othello Molineux on stage. French flautist Magic Malik joins the band for a danceable Baby Steps featuring a flurry of thrills, riffs and breathy-flute after Andy and Mario had their say. (Love it!) The CD closes with Izo's Mood – another Andy Narell cut from his Tatoom CD. Two excellent CDs to add to your collection. They bring a different understanding to French Caribbean jazz – more than just zouk or cadence. It’s the new Beguine mixed with so many rhythms to help drive the Mazouka dance craze that is sweeping North America all blending to spur a different genre of Caribbean jazz (Cari-Jazz). © Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Support Enhance Promote Repeat !! https://www.facebook.com/anthony.maillard.5010/ https://www.instagram.com/anthonys_cari_jazz/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUe9GziGLq1WmNL9b9Q1fMw/videos https://www.anthonymaillardbooks.com (All songs are copyrighted and are presented for artiste publicity, promotion, and public education only. Downloading or sale of the material is prohibited. Please see Artiste’s website or Online Retail outlets for purchasing of material.) This montage is produced by Anthony's Cari-Jazz for viewing and listening pleasure only. No sale or duplication permitted. All music and photographs are copyrighted and presented for artiste publicity, promotion and public education only. Downloading or sale of the material is strictly prohibited. Please see Artiste’s website or Online Retail outlets for purchasing of material. ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976)

Added 8 Apr 2026