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Some bands need no introduction, some bands are in a class
by themselves, Skah Shah #1 is one of these konpa bands. The name Skah Shah #1 itself defines a lot: A galaxy of musicians,
a 'pleiade' of classic albums and songs, an heritage and reference of Konpa.
It all began in the early 1970s; the group Les Shleu Shleu, (Shleu
Shleu saga includes Original Shleu Shleu of Maestro saxophonist Tony Moise, and Shleu Shleu D'Haiti with saxophoniste George
Loubert Chancy) already a very popular Haitian minijazz was touring the United States when several members decided not to
return to Haiti. They stayed and created in New York City: Skah Shah #1. Ex-ShleuShleu members: Georges Loubert Chancy aka
Zoie (sax), Jean Ely Telfort aka Cubano (vocal), Joseph Mario Mayala (lead guitar), Johnny Frantz Toussaint (rythm guitar),
Yves Arsene Appolon (drums), Frederic Mews (bass), they were joined by Lesly Lavelanet (bass), Frantz Laventure (conga), Edouard
Leon (percussion), Rodrigue Gauthier (tamtam), Jean Michel StVictor aka Zouzoule (vocal) ...
I can remember one hot summer afternoon I had just finished playing the
drums at Prospect Park, when I decided to go to Mario and Tifre's house before we go play that evening, Mario and I sat
on the steps of the building where they lived and, we composed this song. In my mind I had called the song "On
the Road of Life I Travel" but Mario decided to call it "Manman" God rest his soul. The guys in the band treated
me as if I was their little brother, especially Cubano he use to amaze me when he looked at me and shake his head like
my other brothers, This song is for all the band members of Skah-Shah and for me too.
Click Below to hear Skah-Shah
1. Skah-Shah
2. Deportem (New)
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