[Karayib Focus] Stéphane Castry and his "Basstry Therapy" album
When I started listening to Caribbean music again a little over three years ago now, I was going back and forth between zouk and dancehall. Caribbean jazz was on my path, but things in the universe weren’t aligned for me to sit down and take the time to listen. Besides, I only read good things about it to the point where I was beginning to fear that the genre was overrated.
Arnaud Dolmen was the first of a long list of artists to prove to me that Caribbean jazz deserves all the praise it gets. #isaidwhatisaid
Today, I'm here to talk about Stéphane Castry. I had been seeing this name for a little over a year, but as I have a hard time looking at any instrument that doesn't belong to my holy trinity (saxophone, piano, drums, and in that order), I didn't try to listen to him. And then I attended Jocelyne Béroard's concert at La Cigale last year. When her bass player (I forgot his name, by the way) did his solo presentation, I saw the light. The bass is such a cool instrument. I was so hyped that I bought "Basstry Therapy" right away when the name Stéphane Castry came up on my social networks again in September. Musical purchase of the month. For a Guadeloupean artist, no less. I assumed that any Caribbean jazz track would play on my nostalgia chord. Clearly, I wasn't ready.
I didn't know that traditional Caribbean rhythms and funk could go together so well. I'm discovering, okay? I still have a lot to learn, I know! I've been listening to the album over and over again for the last five months to cheer me up because everyday life is hard to deal with sometimes. I'm trying to move on to other songs and artists, but it's still hard for now. Especially after hearing my favorite songs live.
After missing his October concert, I was ready for the February concert at Club Nubia. Hearing "Péyi La", "Like A Funny Story" and "Basstry Therapy" live was an e.x.p.e.r.i.e.n.c.e. especially since Stéphane Castry was accompanied by great musicians that I wanted to see on stage. I feel that a Sonny Troupé Karayib focus will write itself once I have my feelings organized. I'm still not over the breakdown in "Basstry Therapy" where there are only the drums and the bass.
"Basstry Therapy" is an invitation to widen your horizons. Listening to this album is like recharging your batteries to give you the energy to face life.
Crédit Photo : Instagram de Stéphane Castry