Album artwork for Exile One by Exile One

Gordon Henderson’s musical career began in various teenage bands, performing at talent shows anddances on the island of Dominica (where he was born). In 1970 he relocated to Guadeloupe where hebecame the English speaking “Caribbean Soul” singer of the group Les Vikings. With “Les Vikings" Henderson enjoyed international hits and toured all over the Caribbean and Europe. Through the next four decades Gordon went on to write, produce and play with various bands and artists. Enjoying tremendous record sales and receiving numerous awards for his work at home and abroad.

Now we’re taking you back to 1973 when Gordon decided to start his own band. He asked his former highschoolmate and co-musician Fitzroy Williams to select the best available young local musicians...soon after Exile One saw the light! Mixing funk, reggae, calypso and Afro-Caribbean fusion in their set, Exile One performed a popular repertoire that was deeply influenced by Sixties soul music and bands like Osibisa and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Because French Antillean audiences wanted to dance instead of just watch a concert, the band “Creolized” their repertoire by introducing a mix of Haitian and Calypso music styles in combination with a full horn section and modern instruments like synths. The bands’ fusion of the traditional with the contemporary would turn into a new style which became a turning point in World Music... Cadence-Lypso was born and it was a Huge success! Exile One and their Creole dance formula would later have a profound effect on popular World Music genres like Zouk and Soca. Exile One released several successful albums for the equally influential label Disques Debs and in 1975 they became the first Créole language act to sign a major recording contract with the French label Barclay (today part of the Universal Music Group). Exile One went on to receive several gold records.

This release (their self-titled debut from 1974) became an instant hit. With a lot of airplay and intense touring, Exile One had in no time become one of the most influential Caribbean bands of its generation. The recording itself was done by the legendary producer Henri Debs, whose studio and label helped bring Créole music international recognition. The music on this album is rich, diverse and colorful in musical styles; from Island Funk stompers to bass-organ driven Reggae grooves and soulful ballads influenced by American greats like Otis Redding and James Brown. The cover depicts the band dressed in self-designed Afro gowns, holding large dried beans of a local tropical tree to spell the band name. Deeply inspired by the Pan-Africanism movement, the band’s lyrics reflect the social and political spiritof the post sixties.

LP - First Vinyl Reissue Since 1974. 180 Gram Vinyl with Insert featuring exclusive pictures from the personal archive of Gordon Henderson and Obi. Limited to 500 Copies.

Exile One

Exile One

Tidal Waves Music
Album artwork for Exile One by Exile One
LP

£22.99

First Vinyl Reissue Since 1974. 180 Gram Vinyl with Insert featuring exclusive pictures from the personal archive of Gordon Henderson and Obi. Limited to 500 Copies.

Released 29/03/2019Catalogue Number

TWM27

Learn more
Exile One

Exile One

Tidal Waves Music
Album artwork for Exile One by Exile One
LP

£22.99

First Vinyl Reissue Since 1974. 180 Gram Vinyl with Insert featuring exclusive pictures from the personal archive of Gordon Henderson and Obi. Limited to 500 Copies.

Released 29/03/2019Catalogue Number

TWM27

Learn more

Gordon Henderson’s musical career began in various teenage bands, performing at talent shows anddances on the island of Dominica (where he was born). In 1970 he relocated to Guadeloupe where hebecame the English speaking “Caribbean Soul” singer of the group Les Vikings. With “Les Vikings" Henderson enjoyed international hits and toured all over the Caribbean and Europe. Through the next four decades Gordon went on to write, produce and play with various bands and artists. Enjoying tremendous record sales and receiving numerous awards for his work at home and abroad.

Now we’re taking you back to 1973 when Gordon decided to start his own band. He asked his former highschoolmate and co-musician Fitzroy Williams to select the best available young local musicians...soon after Exile One saw the light! Mixing funk, reggae, calypso and Afro-Caribbean fusion in their set, Exile One performed a popular repertoire that was deeply influenced by Sixties soul music and bands like Osibisa and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Because French Antillean audiences wanted to dance instead of just watch a concert, the band “Creolized” their repertoire by introducing a mix of Haitian and Calypso music styles in combination with a full horn section and modern instruments like synths. The bands’ fusion of the traditional with the contemporary would turn into a new style which became a turning point in World Music... Cadence-Lypso was born and it was a Huge success! Exile One and their Creole dance formula would later have a profound effect on popular World Music genres like Zouk and Soca. Exile One released several successful albums for the equally influential label Disques Debs and in 1975 they became the first Créole language act to sign a major recording contract with the French label Barclay (today part of the Universal Music Group). Exile One went on to receive several gold records.

This release (their self-titled debut from 1974) became an instant hit. With a lot of airplay and intense touring, Exile One had in no time become one of the most influential Caribbean bands of its generation. The recording itself was done by the legendary producer Henri Debs, whose studio and label helped bring Créole music international recognition. The music on this album is rich, diverse and colorful in musical styles; from Island Funk stompers to bass-organ driven Reggae grooves and soulful ballads influenced by American greats like Otis Redding and James Brown. The cover depicts the band dressed in self-designed Afro gowns, holding large dried beans of a local tropical tree to spell the band name. Deeply inspired by the Pan-Africanism movement, the band’s lyrics reflect the social and political spiritof the post sixties.

LP - First Vinyl Reissue Since 1974. 180 Gram Vinyl with Insert featuring exclusive pictures from the personal archive of Gordon Henderson and Obi. Limited to 500 Copies.