Intelligent and Sophisticated Zouk!
M. Hartman | East Coast, Etats-Unis | 04/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have always had a certain affinity for Zouk (the music of the French Caribbean), but it has gotten quite a lot of bad press as being too synthetic, commercial and westernized. Jocelyn Beroard (of the Zouk legends Kassav) has created with her third solo effort a gentle and sophisticated disque that is truly innovative. The typical Zouk rythms are here (Pawol Granmoun, the first track is great standard zouk fare) but the arrangements she uses on the rest of the record are a revelation: acoustic guitar (Vini Sere) and even full orchestral strings (Atann) among others, are used to great effect. The songs seem more sedate and mature than her work with Kassav, showing previously unexplored possibilities for the genre. She has stripped down arrangements and favored a more acoustic sound. As a result, the melodic and rythmic beauty of this music is revealed. These are all fine songs and Beroard has a wonderful full voice with great warm and pure tone. While Zouk music is often about fun and energy, Jocelyne Beroard shows on Madousinay that it is also a musical style that in her hands is capable of having great beauty, grace and subtlety...as well as an infectious beat. You don't need to know Creole or French to appreciate this music anymore than you need to know Portugese to enjoy Gilberto Gil or Misia."
Best of Zouk
Lindsey L | NY, NY / Etas Unis | 02/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the finest Zouk albums around, Jocelyne Beroard's "Madousinay" is a must have. Combining traditional Zouk beats and patterns along with her signature voice, each song puts the listener at ease and ready for more. Favorites include: Vini Sere, Lanme Move, An Limie and Atann. Non- French Caribbean friends LOVE this CD even though they do not understand the lyrics - the tracks are that beautiful. If you want to hear great music from the French Caribbean - check out "Madousinay""
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1