Gordon Henderson’s musical career began in various teenage bands, performing at talent shows and dances on the island of Dominica (where he was born). In 1970 he relocated to Guadeloupe where he became 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 & 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 high schoolmate 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 & 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.

The release we are presenting you today (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 & 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 spirit of the post sixties.

Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents: the official reissue of this highly influential World Music classic, back available on vinyl for the first time since 1974. Available as a deluxe 180g LP set (500 copies), with an insert containing liner notes & exclusive pictures from the personal archive of Gordon Henderson.