Dance Kompa enthusiasts and those curious about Caribbean rhythms will find themselves captivated by Cadence-Lypso, a vibrant musical genre with roots deeply intertwined with the spirit of dance. Originating in Dominica, Cadence-Lypso, sometimes simply referred to as cadence or kadans, is a style popularized by artists who masterfully blended various musical influences, creating a sound that resonates across the Caribbean and beyond.
Webert Sicot, a name synonymous with musical innovation, is often credited as the originator of cadence. His exceptional virtuosity and harmonic skills were widely celebrated throughout the Caribbean, establishing “cadence” as a household term, even more recognizable to some than “compas.” This early form of cadence laid the groundwork for what would become Cadence-Lypso. In Dominica, cadence and calypso emerged as the two dominant musical styles, leading to the hybrid term Cadence-Lypso. The music scene was rich with calypso, reggae, and predominantly, cadence or compas. While subtle fusions may exist, albums and CDs primarily highlighted these core genres. Interestingly, Cadence-Lypso shares dance movements with compas, indicating a shared rhythmic foundation that invites movement and expression.
Early album covers from iconic bands like Grammacks and Exile One frequently featured the word “cadence” or “kadans,” showcasing their repertoire of calypso, reggae, and, most prominently, cadence. Grammacks, for instance, became known for hits like “Mediba (kadans),” “Banana (sweet kadans),” “Ou Pa Bon (kadans),” and “Ou Pitit (kadans),” alongside tracks like “Reggae Down” and even “Disco Live (kadans),” which was later recognized as “zouk retro” by some DJs, highlighting the genre’s evolving interpretations. Exile One further solidified the term Cadence-Lypso, proudly leading this musical movement.
Exile One, under the leadership of Gordon Henderson, became synonymous with Cadence-Lypso, often incorporating reggae and calypso elements into their predominantly cadence sound. Their album “Exile One – Gordon Henderson 40 volume 1” exemplifies this, featuring 14 kadans tracks out of 18, including titles like “Rosita,” “Ba Yo Boi,” “Jumbolo,” “Reflexion,” “Gadez Deye,” and the self-referential “Cadence Lypso.” While some calypso and reggae tunes were present, the core identity remained rooted in cadence. Further emphasizing their commitment to the genre, the album “Collector Kadance Lypso” showcased twelve méringue cadence tunes, alongside tracks from other prominent kadans bands, cementing Cadence-Lypso as a distinct and collaborative musical force.
While the extent to which these bands intentionally fused Trinidadian calypso with Haitian cadence or compas is debatable, their music repertoire undeniably leans heavily towards cadence or compas. Tracks like “La Dominique” from Exile One’s “Old School Session” album might hint at such fusion attempts, but the overall sound remained deeply rooted in the cadence style. The “Exile One-Old school Session: Gree/Vert” album further emphasizes this, with six out of eight tracks classified as méringue cadence or compas, including popular songs like “Fete Commune,” “Torti,” and “Sylvie.” Exile One’s unique personality shone through, establishing them as a leading kadans band.
In the early 1970s, Exile One, with their full-horn section led by the talented Gordon Henderson, pioneered the use of synthesizers in cadence music. This innovation was quickly adopted by other young cadence or compas bands from Haiti (mini-jazz) and the French Antilles, marking a significant evolution in the genre. Exile One’s kadans music reached global audiences through tours spanning Japan, the Indian Ocean, Africa, North America, Europe, and the Cape Verde islands. Dominica boasted a vibrant cadence scene with bands like The Grammacks and a host of other notable groups including Black Roots, Black Machine, Naked Feet, and Midnight Groovers. The genre also celebrated prominent singers such as Bill Thomas, Chubby Marc, Ophelia Marie, and many others, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Cadence-Lypso and its enduring appeal for dance and musical appreciation.
