Zouk has the unusual good fortune to have several queens. Among them, Tanya St-Val is one of the most emblematic. Her recording career began in 1986, and the following year saw the release of this Chalé, which is bursting with energy. Since her debut, Willy Salzédo has been in charge of arrangements and keyboards, and here we find a high-flying team with Frédéric Caracas, Daniel Kissoun, Yves Honoré, Christian Joseph-Lockel, Allen Hoist, Freddy Hovsepian – who sadly passed away recently – and so on. Tanya St-Val’s career was now well established and on the right track, as confirmed by Pouki Tou Sa, her third album released in 1988. Thereafter, Tanya St-Val varied her influences, sometimes touching on jazz and traditional rhythms, but zouk remained her guiding principle. Above all, we’re lucky enough to be able to listen to her regularly in Guadeloupe, at the island’s various music venues, so why deprive ourselves?
Chalé – Tanya St-Val, 1987
