Reggae Dom-Tom / Missié Caraïb’ Oh ! – 6th Continent, 1981 – #600

🎶🇲🇶🌴👨‍🎤💿 In one single and one album, the four boys from 6th Continent have made their mark with their reggae/rock-pop made in Martinique. In 1979, Kali, David Montanez, Joby Marie and Magdi Vasco founded 6th Continent, illustrating this overseas ‘continent’ made up of all the islands of the Caribbean, and bursting onto the scene with a historic concert at Le Grand Carbet. The single Reggae Dom-Tom & Missié Caraïb’ Oh! was released in 1981 and was a big hit, sung partly in French and partly in Creole to get their message across to as many people as possible. In 1983, they replaced Femi Kuti at the Trocadéro during the Fête de la Musique, and the following year, the group’s album was another success and its high point. Montanez, Marie and Vasco also released two tracks on the Audio Tecknica label, but that was almost all, and the group broke up in 1985. Magdi Vasco, ex-Léopard de la Martinique, went on to collaborate with Max Ransay and Kali again. David Montanez, meanwhile, took part in the obscure (but highly enjoyable!) Madinina Music Club, a Caribbean take on a number of rock and Latin classics. Of course, it’s mainly Kali who has pursued a rich career to this day, singing Caribbean folk rooted in tradition, and giving pride of place to the banjo.