🎶🥁🎷🎸🌴 At the same time as creating Gwakasonné, with Robert Oumaou and Georges Troupé, Edmony Krater set up his group Zépiss, whose first album, Natibel, was released in 1983. Zépiss drew on the gwoka tradition and Lockel’s ‘modern’ evolutions, adding a dash of jazz and a spirit of fusion. Krater is joined by another up-and-coming sound shaper, Rico Toto, on bass. Guitarist and vocalist Eddy Lebouin will also be taking part in Gwakasonné, while saxophonist Philippe Augusty will be joining forces with another emblematic modern gwoka group, Horizon. Natibel, which gives its name to the album, remains one of Krater’s flagship tracks, and he rearranged it regularly. The gwoka jazz fusion reaches new heights with the trance of Pa Dékourajé, where Eddy Pige’s flute dialogues with the singer and the répondé, over an impressive carpet of percussion. The album was reissued in 2023 by Beaumonde Records, and it’s an excellent initiative!
Natibel – Zépiss, 1983
