Am Black / Forward Ever (Analog Africa 45) / Var

Albert Nadeau - I am BlackBorn in 1952, Albert Nadeau was a French-Caribbean singer, organist and songwriter from Martinique, known for blending local Caribbean rhythms with funk, soul and reggae inflections. After fronting the local group Les Léopards, he recorded a small but potent set of tracks in the late 1970s that showcased his raw, emotive voice and taste for groove-driven arrangements.At the heart of that period stands "I Am Black" from his 1977 solo LP. The track is a slow-burning tropical-funk/reggae cut built around a loping groove, organ-based chords and Nadeau's gritty, passionate lead vocal. Musically it sits between biguine-tinged island rhythm and 1970s funk/soul. Though it never entered the mainstream charts, 'I Am Black'- admired for the way it bridges Caribbean musical tradition with the Black Power and soul currents of it's era - has in recent years become one of the most sought-after Caribbean songs.Brother Mudada - Forward EverBrother Mudada, born Alan Fortune, is a veteran Trinidad & Tobago calypsonian who began his career in 1961. He is known for socially conscious music that reflects calypso's tradition of political and cultural commentary. Over the decades, he earned major recognition in the Caribbean, including winning the Calypso Monarch title in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 2004 and later receiving a national honor, the Hummingbird Silver Award, for his contribution to music and culture.One of his most influential songs is "Forward Ever", a calypso anthem centered on perseverance, resilience, and collective struggle. The lyrics encourage listeners to "struggle on," using patience, wisdom, and understanding like weapons in life's battles, and remind them to help others along the way. The song's message and Mudada's delivery have helped solidify his standing as a cultural voice for determination and unity within Caribbean society.