Song of the Day: Eugène Mona “Lizo”

Having highlighted the B-side of the most recent Sol Power Sound release, today we get into the A-side, especially since the project is now available digitally at Traxsource.

The A-side of the Tambours De Martinique EP features “Lizo” by Eugène Mona, an essential figure in the folkloric music of Martinique based on the bamboo flute, bèlè drums, and the island’s specific variant of Antillean creole. Lizo was originally released in 1990 on Mona’s Blanc Mangé Blan Manjé? LP and is anchored by frenetic percussion, a driving bassline, and house-evocative key stabs. Mona’s flute kicks off the tune which then jumps right into a call-and response vocal barrage. In the lyrics, Mona warns a local political figure to watch his back because he’s surrounded by an untrustworthy crew.