Strut present the first ever compilation series to access the archives of one
of the greatest
of all French Caribbean labels, Disques Debs out of Guadeloupe. Set up by the
late Henri Debs during the late ‘50s, the label and studio has continued for
over 50 years, releasing over 300 7” singles and 200 LPs, covering styles
varying from early biguine and bolero to zouk and reggae. Debs played a pivotal
role in bringing the créole music of Guadeloupe and Martinique to a wider
international audience. Volume 1 of this series marks the first decade of the
label’s existence and takes in big band orchestras, home-grown stars, touring
bands and a new generation that would emerge at the end of the ‘60s. Early
releases were recorded in the back of Henri’s shop in Pointe-a-Pitre, from
his own sextet playing percussive biguines to young saxophonist Edouard Benoit,
leader of Les Maxels and regular arranger for Debs bands. Other artists ranged
from big bands like Orchestre Esperanza and Orchestre Caribbean Jazz to poet and
radio personality Casimir “Caso” Létang and folkloric gwo ka artist Sydney
Leremon. Debs also capitalised on recording foreign touring artists visiting
Guadeloupe during the early ‘60s including Haitian trumpeter Raymond Cicault
and Trinidadian bandleader Cyril Diaz. Compiled by Hugo Mendez (Sofrito) and
Emile Omar (Radio Nova), ‘Disques Debs International’ is released in
conjunction with Henri Debs Et Fils and Air Caraibes. The package features a
host of rare and unseen photos from the Debs archive with both formats featuring
extensive sleeve notes and interviews with Philippe Debs and Max “Maxo”
Severin of Les Vikings. Volumes 2 and 3 follow in 2019.