Jean-Michel Cabrimol & La Maafia

With the gritty vocals of Jean-Michel Cabrimol and the smooth tones of Phil Control set to big band arrangements and a vocal choir, Jean-Michel Cabrimol & La Mafia have created some of the most exciting dance music in the Antilles. While they remain tied to the zouk tradition, their music blends influences of Haitian music, Cuban salsa, and traditional Antillean and African rhythms. Formed as a small combo in 1981, Jean-Michel Cabrimol & La Mafia performed in New York and Paris a year later. In November 1997, the group expanded to include trumpet, saxophone, flute, trombone, bugle, three violins, two guitars, congas, bongos, timbales, piano, bass, and drums.