Kassav’ is a French group formed in 1979 in Guadeloupe by Pierre-Edouard Decimus (ex member of the Vickings) and Freddy Marshall. Who will be joined quickly by Georges Decimus (brother of Pierre-Edouard) and Jacob Desvarieux.
The name Kassav’ is actually a reference to the word’ cassave’. Creole word which designates a cassava pancake sprinkled most often with coconut.
The group released their first album "Love and Ka dance" in 1979, album which unfortunately went somewhat unnoticed.
It was the arrival of Jocelyne Béroard in 1980 that was to change the situation somewhat. Then that of Patrick Saint-Eloi from the year 1982.
The group was finally consolidated from 1983 and it was a year later in 1984 that the group really took off when the title "Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni" was released. A rise in power which was confirmed in 1985 when the album "An ba chen’n la" was released, an album which was to be a significant success.
But it was 2 years later in 1987 that the group achieved consecration with the album "Vini pou", the flagship album of the group's career and which will produce what will remain as their biggest hit Single, namely the enormous "Sye bwa".
Other albums were released later such as "Majestik zouk" in 1989, "Tékit izi" in 1992, "Difé" in 1995, among others. Three albums which will know a significant success but which will struggle to produce an equivalent to "Sye bwa".
A great adventure which will continue during the 2000s, but which will never allow the group to regain the incredible level of success they will have experienced during 1987 ...
To discover or rediscover...
Discography (among others ...) :
70s Decade :
Kassav' 1979
80s Decade :
Soleil 1980
Oh Madiana 1982
Eva 1982
Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni 1984
Mwen malad aw 1985
Mové jou 1985
Sye bwa 1987
Ayen pa mol 1987
Wep 1989
Sé dam’ bonjou 1989
Djoni 1989
90s Decade :
Ou lé 1990
Mwen alé 1992
Ba nou zouk la 1992
Mwen viré 1992
Difé soupapé 1995
Rara 1995
2000s Decade :
Tombé léta 2000
Zafè mélé 2000
Masoupwèl la 2000
San ayen 2004
Abo léwo 2004
Nou ped chimen 2004
Doubout pikan 2007
Fo pa fann 2007
Pa té pou viré 2007
2010s Decade :
Pié mwen 2013
Tinayis 2013
Ba mwen fos 2013
Tracks :
1979 ... a first title to break in and especially to start making talk about the group. It's well tried but there is still a little work, it's clear ...
1980 ... this time will be the good one. The group finally manages to break through a little and brings an obvious wind of novelty with this very particular musical style ...
1982 ... the rise in power has been constant for several years and now positions the group as one of the phenomena of the moment. And the years to come will prove that this band is truly one of a kind !
1982 ... a certain talent which outclasses the competition. There are them and there are the others unquestionably. We are therefore impatiently awaiting the rest ...
1984 ... the year of the big takeoff. The group has reached a level of maturity sufficient to play in the big leagues. Even very large ...
1985 ... even if the group is now in orbit, he still cannot produce THE title that will change everything. Patience, patience ...
1985 ... what is certain is that it will not be during this year 1985 that the group will win the cup. But it will not be long...
1987 ... they will have to wait 2 more years to finally reach the consecration after which they have been chasing for years. They deliver here quite simply the biggest title of their career and take the opportunity to set fire to all the Dancefloor in France. HU-GE !
1987 ... impossible for this title to compete with its predecessor as the bar has been raised. Anyway, this is not the kind of underperformance that is likely to prevent the group from continuing to advance !
1989 ... the end of the decade that rhymes with joie de vivre and obvious good humor. Two qualifiers that perfectly sum up this hyper-dancing music from the other side of the Atlantic ...
1989 ... it is clear that the group will never repeat the feat achieved with 'Sye bwa' but whatever, the adventure continues to be beautiful and that is the main thing !
1989 ... a good mood that we find on each title delivered. Nothing fancy, just a good job. We will therefore be largely satisfied with it !
1990 ... they can slow down the tempo whenever they want, who would have believed it ! And it pleases, it is clear when we see the level of success achieved by this title !
1992 ... the adventure continues for some reason even if it is clear that the best years of the group are now behind. The main thing is to participate as they say !
1992 ... what is certain is that they will not let go and continue to believe in it. And frankly, who would blame them when we see what they continue to offer !
1992 ... a BIG year 1992 with a plethora of titles and quality on every level. Even if the group is not necessarily as trendy as before, he has not lost any of its splendor !
1995 ... inspiration, a musical style that still works very well and a good will which is pleasing to see, what more could you ask for !
1995 ... even if the group does not let go in the mid-90s, it is clear that the end of the adventure is near. A magnificent adventure anyway which will have made of this group one of the Masters in the matter in a unique musical field !
2000...an adventure at the highest level that is coming to an end but an adventure that is far from over, that's clear. Because the group still has things to offer and especially to sing !
2000...certainly, we're not going to lie to each other, the best years are now behind them, but what the group now offers is far from unworthy. Anyway, we'll be happy with that...
2004...the production of titles remains consistent and allows the group to remain one of the leaders in its musical field. It's already that...
2004...we still have to remember that the adventure started more than 20 years ago. Which shows all the more that this group really has something more than the others...
2004...here they are arrived on a rhythm which is not really their heart of target. On the other hand, getting out of your comfort zone is not harmful, quite the contrary...
2007... with each title, you say to yourself that it may be the last and each time they come back. A desire to believe in it always and again which commands respect incontestably...
2007...it is certain that they still take obvious pleasure in doing what they do otherwise they would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. And they are right to continue to believe in it because in music nothing is ever finished...
2007...they even know how to do it gently, the proof with this fine title. All in finesse but always in their so typical rhythm...
2013...they make a point of coming back at least once in every decade, if not more. An exceptional longevity that can only be found with the most gifted of each generation...
2013...even if the band hasn't evolved much in terms of sound since its debut, the whole thing is still of high quality. It must be said that in their musical field it is particularly difficult to evolve...
2013... so we imagine that this title will not be the last. Because you have to know, with them, nothing is ever over...
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