"People like to say that music is the universal language, but what they mean is that music is its own form of communication with an emotional logic that reaches across linguistic barriers. Rara parade musicians from Haiti, brass band musicians from New Orleans, Calypsonians from Trinidad, Merengue Tipico ensembles from the Dominican Republic, Soneros from Cuba, and Kaseko players from Suriname might not be able to hold a conversation, but put instruments in their hands to jam and they will come to an understanding in short order. From diverse legacies of colonialization and creolization have come mutually intelligible musical languages".

Cedric Watson’s fourth album Le Soleil Est Levé reaffirms Louisiana’s place at the Afro-Caribbean table and reinvigorates zydeco by demonstrating how it can expand on grooves from Louisiana’s many home lands.With it’s unique blend of  original melodies and  intrementation, this is one of the most diverse albums ever released in the Cajun or Zydeco world.Watson and his ace band Bijou Creole make their case by playing it!

by: Dr Mark DeWitt
Tommy Comeaux Memorial Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Traditional Music School of Music at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette