Malavoi was a Martinican band consisting of Mano Césaire, Jean-Paul Soïme, … Read Full Bio ↴Malavoi was a Martinican band consisting of Mano Césaire, Jean-Paul Soïme, Christian de Negri, Denis Dantin and Marcel Rémion. They formed in 1972, naming themselves after a kind of sugarcane and a street on Gorée, a Senegalese island. Many of the members were part of the Merry Lads, a band from the Lycée Schoelcher, and many had been students at Colette Franz, a music school.

Malavoi's style mixes French Antillean music with modern influences from across the Americas, especially Caribbean and Brazilian music, as well as jazz. Their early popular singles included "Albé" and "En lè mon là". The band was soon expanded to include saxophonist Bib Monville and pianist Paulo Rosine. The singers alternated and included Raymond Mazarin, Pierre Jabert, Maurice Marie-Louise, Pierre Pastel and Julien Constance.

Malavoi's first album was Malavoi, released in 1978 and featuring singer Ralph Thamar. The band broke up soon after, however, and didn't perform again until re-uniting under Rosine's leadership in 1981. Rosine greatly expanded the fiddle section, first to ten performers, then down to four with Philippe Porry taking over for Dantin, and also added Jean-José Lagier on cello. Malavoi's fame soon spread across the Caribbean and abroad with the 1983 album Zouel, featuring Thamar on vocals along with Marie-José Alie. They played at the Printemps de Bourges in 1983 and at the Caribbean festival in Cartagena, and won the Caribbean music prize, the Maracas d'Or, as well as scoring the film Rue Case Nègres.

They continued touring widely into the late 1980s, in the United States, France, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Canada and Ecuador. Thamar was replaced by Pipo Gertrude in 1988. In the early 1990s, the band's popularity continued to grow, and the membership expanded with the addition of singer Tony Chasseur. Their 1992 Matebis included collaborations with numerous Caribbean musicians, including Jocelyne Beroard, Bethova Obas, Kali (musician), Edith Lefel and Tanya Saint-Val.

Malavoi's leader, Paulo Rosine, died in 1993. He was replaced by José Privat, while two French violinists, Jean-Luc Pino and Daniel Dato, also joined; the band's leader became Jean-Paul Soïme.

Case à Lucie
Malavoi Lyrics

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Man sèten sé kaz a lucie
Man sèten sé la an sé lé mô
Lè ou lévé zyé'w pôkô ouvè
Ou doubout an ti chimen an
Ka véyé lapôt la
Ou ja bizwen dékolé épi rôm épi labsent
An bèl kout mabi dèyèy

Lè y ronzè ou mèm koté a
Ti manmay ki sôti lékol
Ka fè djendjen épiw
Pa ni ayen yo pa fè
Pou tiréw an fon tou a
Mé sa pa sèvi ayen

Mwen mènenw bôt lanmè ou di mwen ka fè cho
Mwen mènenw la kanpan ou di mwen ka fè frèt
Lé mwen mandéw ki sa ou sé lé mwen fé baw
Ou répon mwen konsa
Mènen mwen kay Lucie souplé

Man sèten sé kaz a Lucie
Man sèten sé la an sé lé mô
Pa ni jou bondié fè
Yo pa trouvéw, déchiré, lèstonmak an chingpongtong
Dé pyéw pa ka sipôtéw

Mwen mènenw bôt lanmè ou di mwen ka fè cho
Mwen mènenw la kanpan ou di mwen ka fè frèt
Lè mwen mandéw ki sa ou sé lé mwen fè baw
Ou répon mwen konsa
Mènen mwen kay lucie souplé

Man sèten sé kaz a lucie
Man sèten sé la an sé lé mô
Pa ni jou bondié fé
Yo pa trouvéw, déchiré, lèstonmak an chingpongtong
Dé pyéw pa ka sipôtéw

Man sèten sé kaz a lucie
Man sèten sé la an sé lé mô 4x

Overall Meaning

The song "Case a Lucie" by Malavoi reflects on the singer's fond memories of their time spent in Lucie's home. The lyrics convey a sense of longing to return to that place where they felt secure and happy. The first verse describes the singer's conviction that Lucie's house is where they belong, and where they want to be, even if they are just standing on the path outside the house, looking in. The second verse mentions how even the sounds of the rain or the voices of children nearby can't distract them from their desire to be back in that place that brings them so much comfort.

The chorus repeats the phrase "Man sèten sé kaz a Lucie" which means "I'm sure it's Lucie's house," emphasizing the singer's unwavering belief that this is where they want to be. They mention how even God can't help those who try to take Lucie's place or disturb their peace in any way.

The song has a nostalgic, yearning feel to it, emphasizing the importance of home and the comfort it brings. It celebrates the power and importance of a place where we feel a sense of belonging and safety. The lyrics are in Creole, highlighting the cultural heritage of its performers and the beauty of their language.

Line by Line Meaning

Man sèten sé kaz a lucie
I'm sure that it's Lucie's house

Man sèten sé la an sé lé mô
I'm certain that this is where I belong

Lè ou lévé zyé'w pôkô ouvè
When you open your eyes, don't be shy

Ou doubout an ti chimen an
You stand on a small path

Ka véyé lapôt la
Watching the horizon

Ou ja bizwen dékolé épi rôm épi labsent
You've already broken free from rum and absence

An bèl kout mabi dèyèy
A beautiful glass of mabi behind you

Lè y ronzè ou mèm koté a
When it's thundering where you are

Ti manmay ki sôti lékol
Young people just finished school

Ka fè djendjen épiw
Bothering you

Pa ni ayen yo pa fè
They have nothing to do