Polobi & the Gwo Ka Masters: Abri Cyclonique review – a fresh take on Guadeloupean music | Music
The voice of 69-year-old Guadeloupean singer Moïse Polobi is a uniquely powerful presence. Deep, laden with heavy vibrato and rasping through yearning melody, his delivery has been honed through a lifetime spent with groups singing and playing gwo ka drum in unison in the forests near his home town of Petit-Bourg.In 2020, an impromptu concert with local percussionist Klod Kiavué caught the attention of artistic director Valérie Malot and sparked the idea of Polobi’s solo debut. Produced by Mbongwana Star collaborator…