Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005), by Gaoulé Mizik / Michel Laurent

Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005)

by Gaoulé Mizik / Michel Laurent

supported by

craigmcgrail The Kay Suzuki Gwoka Dub is the one, a sure fire dance floor destroyer with killer bass and wicked dub siren style fx

DJ Tom B. (Avenida Brasil / 22Tracks - Paris) thumbnail

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£4 GBP or more
Full Digital Discography

6

releases

Get all 6 Beauty and the Beat releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of DB12 015, Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005), Danse Primitive EP (BATB 004), Beating Heart Project (BATB 003), Famiglia EP (BATB 002), and Balafon Jam (BATB 001). , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

£16.25 GBP (35% OFF)
Gaoulé Mizik / Michel Laurent - Excursions in Gwoka vol.1
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
140g 12" black vinyl with full colour cover.

Important notices:

- packages will be sent untracked unless requested otherwise. Though it is really rare that a package gets lost in transit, we wouldn't accept any responsibility if it did.

- for international buyers: we do not have the means yet to add VAT taxes at checkout (Bandcamp only offers this system to selected sellers), so please be aware that you might have to pay import fees when receiving the package.

Includes unlimited streaming of Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out

1.	Gaoulé Mizik - A Ka Titine 05:56	info	buy track
2.	Michel Laurent - Kan Sizè Sonné (CW Edit) 07:14	info	buy track
3.	Gaoulé Mizik - A Ka Titine (Kay Suzuki Gwoka Dub) 07:40	info	buy track
4.	Michel Laurent - A Kolad (Digi only) 06:35	info	buy track

about

‘A Ka Titine’ has long been a staple at our Beauty & the Beat parties, a dancers’ favourite and one of those truly special records which have become part of the party’s DNA. This is gwoka from Guadeloupe, a term which not only designates an authentic music genre from the Caribbean island, but also a specific dance and more spiritually the soul and identity of a people. Lyrics often express the uniqueness of Guadeloupean culture, through the codes and metaphors of the Creole language, acting effectively as transmission of a collective history.

Gwoka is made up of seven distinct rhythms, each of them used for different social occasions, from baptisms to funerals. ‘A Ka Titine’ is based on the driving toumblak rhythm, one which expresses love and happiness, and the most often heard in party situations.

Gaoulé Mizik were a seminal outfit which released two cult albums in the late 80s, alternating between gwoka traditionnel and fusion experiments which they described as gwoka évolutif. ‘A Ka Titine’ is straight-up gwoka traditionnel, with legendary singer Michel Laurent at the peak of his powers.

The “Titine” of the song is the name of the beach hut’s owner where Michel goes to have some fish, ends up drinking rum and playing dominoes, before almost getting killed in a brawl (!). Laurent is in raconteur mode, akin to the role of a griot in Africa, acting like a chronicler of his time and singing about everyday chores and social issues.

BATB alumnus and Time Capsule head honcho Kay Suzuki has built himself a reputation as the master of hypnotic Afro cosmic productions (check his classic remix of Blackbush Orchestra’s 'Cherchez Les Filles' on BATB 002, as well as his cult Afrobuddha project, and was the natural choice for the remix. Embracing the concepts of Tout-monde, Suzuki has created a unique fusion of genres, incorporating his London influences to the mix by adding strong dub and electronic flavours. The result is a fresh and unique take on gwoka music, perpetuating the tradition of openness in creole culture. Purists beware, this is hybrid music at its very best.

Both 'Kan Sizè Sonné' (presented here in a slightly re-edited version for maximum dance floor pleasure by our very own CW) and 'A Kolad' are taken from a different album released around the same time under Michel Laurent’s name, but produced by the same team and featuring most of the members from Gaoulé Mizik.

All tracks have been licensed directly from the copyright owner (Michel Laurent).

Vinyl restoration by Andrew Pirie.

Mastering by Doctor Mix (A1, A2 and Digi bonus), and Metropolis (B side)

credits

released May 7, 2022

license

about

Beauty and the Beat London, UK

houseparty.org.uk

contact / help

Contact Beauty and the Beat

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005), you may also like:

UNTITLED (Black Is)
by SAULT

supported by 37 fans who also own “Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005)”

this feels important twigs
go to album
UNTITLED (Rise)
by SAULT

supported by 30 fans who also own “Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005)”

Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell
go to album
Promises
by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

supported by 27 fans who also own “Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005)”

hypnotic and incredibly moving marsplutomusic
go to album
Natibel
by Zepiss

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jun 13, 2023
go to album
An ka sonjé
by Edmony Krater

Brand new work from this Guadeloupean percussionist and trumpeter who mixes traditional gwo ka with avant-jazz, soul, and reggae. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 7, 2018
go to album
Kuru Kuru
by Maajo

The Finnish electropical group brings together live guitars, vintage synths, electric pianos, and chanting to create a mystical sound. Bandcamp New & Notable May 29, 2020
go to album
Psychemagik Archive 2009-2017
by Psychemagik

supported by 26 fans who also own “Excursions in Gwoka vol.1 (BATB 005)”

This is an incredible remix Charles Shufeldt
go to album