Bourg La Folie

From 1984 Gratien Midonet’s third album is the soundtrack to an impressionist film made by fellow Antillean Benjamin Jules Rosette, a movie director who was also the founder of the cult ‘Théâtre Noir’ in Paris, later to become the first black cultural centre in continental Europe.

Sadly now lost (there is no known copy of the film), one’s imagination can run freely by listening to the soundtrack while looking at the cover art. Arranged by Congolese guitarist and singer Samba N’Go of M Bamina fame, and notably featuring Luther Perreau on keyboards, Amédé O Suriam on percussions and Jacky Arconte on guitar, the production is insanely good and shows us a tighter and more groove based side of Midonet (La Point’ Dé Nég), while staying loose and experimental in some of its arrangements (Osana).

Arranged By, Chorus – Samba N’go
Arranged By, Chorus, Lead Vocals, Composed By – Gratien Midonet
Bass – Jean Luc Lian
Chorus – Jenny Dupin, Mireille Chovino, Roseline Chovino
Drums – Denis Hekimian
Guitar – Jacky Arconte
Keyboards, Chorus – Luther Perreau
Percussion – Amedeo Suriam, Esther Wilson

Recorded & mixed @ Studio Spade Music

Fully remastered digital only release. A selection of the tracks are included on the double vinyl compilation of Gratien Midonet’s work, A Cosmic Poet from Martinique 1979 – 1989.

Tracklist:

1. Osana 06:50
2. La Pli Ya Ka Bat’ To’ La 03:43
3. Exil I 03:59
4. La Point’ Dé Nég’ 05:43
5. Babel 05:27
6. Exil II 02:22

DOWNLOAD/STREAM from here for all digital platforms.