Polobi & the Gwo Ka Masters - Abri Cyclonique (Real World)

What Your Ears Say & The Cover Looks Like

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What We Say

Shielded from Babylon's corrosive nature deep inside Gaudeloupe's tropical forests, the mystical Polobi has been celebrating Creole culture & Gwo Ka traditions quite possibly for centuries. On his new LP for Real World; assisted by an all too rare, jazz wise, psychedelic dub infusion from the mysterious Doctor L. they channel the spirit of Lee Perry, Pachamama & forgotten Fourth World dwellers everywhere to raise the global consciousness to a higher plain & chant down Mamon before it's too late.

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What The Release Notes Say

In the tropical Caribbean forest a river runs, the streaming water drowning out the rustling of leaves, the pulse of insects and the birds’ cry. The song of a man, more powerful than that of the waters, rises to the tops of the ancient trees. Polobi, balanced on a rock, launches a melody towards the infinity of the sky.

Drawing inspiration from the heart of the tropical forest, the mystical character of Polobi and his musicians collaborate with idiosyncratic producer Doctor L (Les Amazones d’Afrique, Mbongwana Star), forging a radical new take on the Gwo Ka musical tradition from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. An electro-acoustic palette and offbeat rhythms adorn these deeply rooted Creole songs with a unique sound universe.creditsreleased February 17, 2023

Klod Kiavué: Music & creative consultant
Moïse Polobi: lead vocals
Klod Kiavué: ka drum, backing vocals
Eric Danquin: drums, backing vocals
Christian Laviso: guitar, backing vocals
Liam Farrell: all other instruments

Produced by Liam Farrell a.k.a. Doctor L

Recorded at Studio Joab Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, except ‘Levé Yo Mano’, recorded at Klod Kiavué’s home in Grande Savane, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe.
Recording engineer: Jacques Joab
Mixed in Dakar by Liam Farrell a.k.a. Doctor L
Mastered at Paris DJ Studio by Grant Phabao

Photography: Karen Paulina Biswell
A Real World Design by Marc Bessant
Words by Natalie Malot

Original idea by Valerie Malot inspired by Polobi, Klod Kiavué and the tropical forest of Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe.

Artistic director: Valerie Malot
Artistic co-ordinator: Oran Mullan
Production co-ordination: Nathalie Malot and Cynthia Rambaud
Executive Production: 3D Family
Published by 3D Family Publishing

Project thanks and acknowledgements
Thank you to Marie Claude Pernelle for believing in us. To Franck for the punch and the vibes. To Jimmy for being great. To Malaki for the zouk and the smile. To the beautiful city of Le Moule and the City Hall of Petit Bourg, David Nebor (Mayor of Petit Bourg), Nestor Luce (Head of Culture and Sport). To Nathalie Malot for co-ordinating the project in Guadeloupe and spreading the gospel in Europe. To Nadjib and Sam for following us in the adventure. To Karen Paulina Biswell and Louise Mootz for the incredible visuals in the deepest forest of Petit Bourg — it was a blast having you on the team.

We are so happy with what we discovered on this two year journey in Guadeloupe. Beauty, peace and music are the trademark of this project. Thank you Polobi and Klod for sharing the magnificence of your island with us.

Thank you to Amanda Jones, Peter Gabriel and all the team at Real World for being with us and supporting us on this new adventure. The music of Polobi & the Gwo Ka Masters was born on the ashes of the deepest past and blooms today in the lush forest of the island, between the crystalline river of La Lezad and the magnificent millennium of trees surrounding a magic rock where Polobi composed the thirteen songs on this album.

Polobi’s thanks: Remerciements à Dieu et à Paulette Carmel, ma mère.

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