Maison de Soul is a Louisiana-based

Zydeco Zydeco ( or , french: Zarico) is a music genre that evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers which blends blues, rhythm and blues, and music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles and the Native American people of Louisiana. Al ...

and

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...

record label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...

. It was founded in 1974 in

Ville Platte, Louisiana Ville Platte is the largest city in, and the parish seat of, Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 7,430 at the 2010 census, down from 8,145 in 2000. The city's name is of French origin, roughly translating to "flat town ...

Floyd Soileau James Floyd Soileau (born November 2, 1938) is an American record producer. Biography Soileau was born in Faubourg, a small community between Ville Platte and Washington, Louisiana. He grew up speaking Cajun French and did not speak English un ...

and remains under his ownership. It is one of four record labels under Soileau's Flat Town Music Company umbrella, and combined the Flat Town labels make up "the largest body of Cajun, zydeco, and swamp music in the world". ''Living Blues'' magazine has called Maison de Soul "the country's foremost zydeco label".

Founding

By 1974, Floyd Soileau had already established two other record labels, Jin Records and Swallow Records. Maison de Soul was founded in 1974 after a conversation between Soileau and zydeco star

Clifton Chenier Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 – December 12, 1987), was an American Creole musician known as a pioneer of zydeco, a style of music which arose from Creole music, with rhythm and blues, R&B, blues, and Cajun music, Cajun influences. He sang a ...

. Chenier had just finished recording a 1950s style album, when he shook his finger at Soileau and said "You know, Floyd Soileau, zydeco is where it's at. It's coming on strong, and you better get with it." Soileau took Chenier's advice and founded Maison de Soul, which was the first record label dedicated to producing zydeco music. Some of the early

45 RPM single In music, a single is a type of release, typically a song recording of fewer tracks than an LP record or an album. One can be released for sale to the public in a variety of formats. In most cases, a single is a song that is released separat ...

releases featured

New Orleans rhythm and blues New Orleans rhythm and blues is a style of rhythm and blues that originated in New Orleans. It was a direct precursor to rock and roll and strongly influenced ska. Instrumentation typically includes drums, bass, piano, horns, electric guitar, and ...

artists such as Professor Longhair,

Dr. John Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music encompassed New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B. Active as a session musician from t ...

, and

Johnny Adams Laten John Adams Jr. (January 5, 1932 – September 14, 1998), was an American blues, jazz and gospel singer, known as "The Tan Canary" for the multi-octave range of his singing voice, his swooping vocal mannerisms and falsetto. His biggest ...

, but after the label began producing LPs and

CDs The compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed by Philips and Sony to store and play digital audio recordings. In August 1982, the first compact disc was manufactured. It was then released in Octo ...

, the artist roster was comprised almost exclusively of zydeco musicians. As a small, independent record label, Maison de Soul shares some of the same problems as other similar labels: getting the product to distributors and on the shelves of record stores, as well as getting their acts known. As a form of ethnic music, many potential buyers of zydeco aren't always familiar with the artists or their musical styles, so Maison de Soul has had success with issuing compilation albums by various artists, the best-selling one titled ''Zydeco Festival'' (1988). Some of these compilation albums have included a few

Cajun music Cajun music (french: Musique cadienne), an emblematic music of Louisiana played by the Cajuns, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Although they are two separate genres, Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem w ...

ians, although they are primarily focused on zydeco. Soileau said that zydeco music sales in general and for Maison de Soul in particular were enhanced by the popularity of the 1987 film '' The Big Easy'', which was set in and shot on location in

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster. ; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...

. The film's soundtrack was released on

Island Records Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in Jamaica, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, anoth ...

and featured several zydeco and Cajun music artists, as well as

New Orleans R&B New Orleans rhythm and blues is a style of rhythm and blues that originated in New Orleans. It was a direct precursor to rock and roll and strongly influenced ska. Instrumentation typically includes drums, bass, piano, horns, electric guitar, and ...

and gospel groups. In addition to the market in Louisiana, Maison de Soul has exported its zydeco sound to the US East Coast and California, as well as Australia, Canada, and Europe. Soileau says sales are enhanced in areas where alternative radio stations have Louisiana "gumbo" type of programming. Some of the top names in the Maison de Soul catalog are

Rockin' Dopsie Alton Jay Rubin (February 10, 1932 – August 26, 1993), who performed as Rockin' Dopsie (sometimes Rockin' Dupsee), was an American zydeco singer and accordion player who enjoyed popular success first in Europe and later in the United States. B ...

Boozoo Chavis Wilson Anthony "Boozoo" Chavis (pronounced CHAY-viss) (October 23, 1930 – May 5, 2001) was an American accordion player, singer, songwriter and bandleader. He was one of the pioneers of zydeco, the fusion of Cajun and blues music developed ...

John Delafose John Irvin Delafose (April 16, 1939 – September 18, 1994) was an American French-speaking Creole Zydeco accordionist from Louisiana. Early life Delafose was born in the unincorporated village of Duralde, Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, near Mamo ...

, the band Zydeco Force, Willis Prudhomme, Lynn August, and

Rockin' Sidney Sidney Simien (April 9, 1938 – February 25, 1998), known professionally as Rockin' Sidney, was an American R&B, zydeco, and soul musician who began recording in the late 1950s and continued performing until his death. He is best known for his ...

"My Toot Toot"

Maison de Soul had its biggest hit with the

song "My Toot Toot", released on Sidney's 1984 album ''My Zydeco Shoes Got the Zydeco Blues''. The song was subsequently released as a single in January 1985 in Louisiana and Texas, and became a regional hit. The original recording was later leased to

Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, also known as SCA), is the American arm of the Japanese conglomerate Sony Group ...

who released it nationally, and made it to the Country Top 40 charts where it remained for 18 weeks. It was the first zydeco song to receive major airplay on pop, rock and country radio stations. Later in 1985, "My Toot Toot" was certified platinum and won the 1986 Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording. The song has been covered by artists as varied as

Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New O ...

Rosie Ledet Rosie Ledet (born Mary Roszela Bellard; October 25, 1971) is an American Creole Zydeco accordion player and singer. Her songs are known for their sultry and suggestive lyrics. She tours and records with her band, the Zydeco Playboys. Biograph ...

Jean Knight Jean Knight (née Caliste; born January 26, 1943)Official records state that Jean Caliste, aged 16, married in June 1954, indicating a birth year of 1938. is an American R&B and soul singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Launching her profession ...

Terrance Simien Terrance Simien (born September 3, 1965) is an American zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter. He and his group The Zydeco Experience won the Grammy Award for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album in 2008 and for Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2 ...

Doug Kershaw Douglas James Kershaw (born January 24, 1936) is an American fiddle player, singer and songwriter from Louisiana. Active since 1948, he began his career as part of the duo Rusty and Doug, along with his brother, Rusty Kershaw. He had an extens ...

Denise LaSalle Ora Denise Allen (July 16, 1934 – January 8, 2018), known by the stage name Denise LaSalle, was an American blues, R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer who, since the death of Koko Taylor, had been recognized as the "Queen of ...

Jimmy C. Newman Jimmy Yves Newman (August 29, 1927 – June 21, 2014), better known as Jimmy C. Newman (the C stands for Cajun), was an American country music and cajun singer-songwriter and long-time star of the Grand Ole Opry. Early life Newman was born ...

and

John Fogerty John Cameron Fogerty (born May 28, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Together with Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and his brother Tom Fogerty Thomas Richard Fogerty (November 9, 1941 – September 6, 1990) was an American mu ...

. A Spanish version titled "Mi Cu-Cu" by

La Sonora Dinamita La Sonora Dinamita is a Mexican- Colombian musical group that plays cumbia, a Tropical music genre from Colombia but popular throughout Latin America. As one of the first Cumbia groups to reach international success, it is credited with helping t ...

sold over a million copies in Mexico, Central America, and South America and was a top-played song in the Latino radio market as late as 2011. A German beer company licensed it to use in their radio and television commercials. Decades after "My Toot Toot" debuted, it continued to draw

royalties A royalty payment is a payment made by one party to another that owns a particular asset, for the right to ongoing use of that asset. Royalties are typically agreed upon as a percentage of gross or net revenues derived from the use of an asset o ...

from commercial use in Europe, as well as earnings from cover versions in several languages by dozens of musicians.

Roster

The list below includes singles, studio or live albums, or appearances on MdS various artist compilation albums. *

* Donna Angelle * Cory Arceneaux *

Chris Ardoin Chris Ardoin (born April 7, 1981 in Lake Charles, LouisianaChris and Sean Ardoin Interview, Blues & Soul Records Magazine No. 53, 2003) is a zydeco accordionist and singer. He is one of the young artists that helped form nouveau zydeco, a new st ...

* Lawrence Ardoin * Morris Ardoin * Lynn August * Bad Weather *

Dewey Balfa Dewey Balfa (March 20, 1927 – June 17, 1992) was an American Cajun fiddler and singer who contributed significantly to the popularity of Cajun music. Balfa was born near Mamou, Louisiana. He is perhaps best known for his 1964 performance at the ...

& The Balfa Brothers *

Beau Jocque Beau Jocque (born Andrus Espre; November 1, 1953 – September 10, 1999) was a Louisiana French Creole zydeco musician and songwriter active in the 1990s. Beau Jocque is known for his gruff vocals, his fusion of many musical styles into zyde ...

& Zydeco High Rollers * Beau Michael *

BeauSoleil BeauSoleil (French, ''beautiful sun'') is a Cajun band from Louisiana, United States. Band history Founded in 1975, BeauSoleil (often billed as "BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet") released its first album in 1977 and became one of the most well ...

* Big Red *

Eddie Bo Edwin Joseph Bocage (September 20, 1930 – March 18, 2009), known as Eddie Bo, was an American singer and pianist from New Orleans. Schooled in jazz, he was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, compositions, productions and arrang ...

* Jeffery Broussard *

Angie Brown Angie Brown (born 13 June 1963) is a British singer and songwriter from Brixton, South London. She is a co-artist on the hit single " I'm Gonna Get You" (1992) by Bizarre Inc and performed on a number of recordings with them as lead vocalist in ...

* J. J. Caillier * Roy Carrier * The Carriére Brothers * Gregg Chambers *

* Wilfred Chevis * Creole Junction * The Creole Zydeco Farmers *

* L.C. Donatto & the Drifters *

Michael Doucet Michael Louis Doucet (born February 14, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter and musician best known as the founder of the Cajun band BeauSoleil. Early life Doucet was born in Scott, Louisiana, to a Cajun family. Family parties in the 1950s ...

* Thomas "Big Hat" Fields * Morris Francis *

Keith Frank Keith Frank is an American zydeco musician from Louisiana, United States. Frank started his band, The Soileau Zydeco Band, in 1990 and is active as of 2016. He is the son of accordion player Preston Frank. Frank records on Soulwood Records. ...

* Preston Frank & His Zydeco Family Band * Ann Goodly * Gumbo Cajun Band *

Peppermint Harris Harrison Demotra Nelson, Jr. (July 17, 1925 – March 19, 1999), known as Peppermint Harris, was an American rhythm and blues and jump blues singer and guitarist. Originally from Texarkana, Texas, he first recorded in Houston, as Peppermint Ne ...

Clarence "Frogman" Henry Clarence Henry II (born March 19, 1937), known as Clarence "Frogman" Henry, is an American rhythm and blues singer and pianist, best known for his hits " Ain't Got No Home" (1956) and " (I Don't Know Why) But I Do" (1961). Career Clarence Henry ...

* Jabo * Donnie Jacobs * Jambalaya Cajun Band * Jean Pierre and the Zydeco Angels * Jeremy & the Zydeco Hot Boyz *

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (born June 20, 1939, in New Orleans, LouisianaClassic Songs of Louisiana "Carnival Time", OffBeat Magazine, February 2007) is an American singer and piano player best known for the Mardi Gras song " Carnival Time". Hi ...

Earl King Earl Silas Johnson IV (February 7, 1934 – April 17, 2003),
known as Earl King, was an American singer, guit ...

* Kuumba * Wilfred Latour * The Lawtell Playboys * Morris Ledet *

* Lil' Bob and the Lollipops * Lil' Malcolm & the House Rockers * Lil' Pookie * Major Handy * Chuck Martin * Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas *

Olympia Brass Band The Olympia Brass Band is an American jazz brass band from New Orleans. The first "Olympia Brass Band" was active from the late 19th century to around World War I. The most famous member was Freddie Keppard. In 1958, saxophonist Harold Dejan, ...

* J. Paul, Jr. * Al Prince * Professor Longhair * Willis Prudhomme *

Rebirth Brass Band The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans brass band. The group was founded in 1983 by Phillip "Tuba Phil" Frazier, his brother Keith Frazier, Kermit Ruffins,Skelly, RichardAllMusic Profile Retrieved 2013-02-9 and classmates from Joseph S. Clark ...

* Jo Jo Reed *

Zachary Richard Ralph Zachary Richard (born September 8, 1950) is an American singer-songwriter and poet. His music is a combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles. Biography Zachary Richard began his musical career at the age of 8, as soprano in the Bish ...

Tommy Ridgley Thomas Herman Ridgley (October 30, 1925 – August 11, 1999)Tony Rounce, Tommy Ridgley 'In The Same Old Way': The Complete Ric, Ron and Sho-Biz recordings, Ace records UK (2015). was an American R&B singer, pianist, songwriter and bandleader in ...

* Roddie Romero * Sam Brothers Five *

Warren Storm Warren Storm (February 18, 1937 – September 7, 2021) was an American drummer and vocalist, known as a pioneer of the musical genre swamp pop; a combination of rhythm and blues, country and western, and Cajun music and black Creole music. Ba ...

* T-Lou & His Los Angeles Zydeco Band *

Irma Thomas Irma Thomas ( Lee; born February 18, 1941) is an American singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans". Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but never experienced their level of commercial succ ...

* Leo Thomas * Leroy Thomas *

Tabby Thomas Ernest Joseph "Tabby" Thomas, (January 5, 1929 – January 1, 2014), also known as Rockin' Tabby Thomas, was an American blues musician. He sang and played the piano and guitar and specialized in swamp blues, a style of blues indigenous to southe ...

* Horace Trahan *

Frank Turner Francis Edward Turner (born 28 December 1981), is an English Punk rock, punk and Folk music, folk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Hampshire. He began his career as the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, then embarked upon a primar ...

Walter "Wolfman" Washington Walter "Wolfman" Washington (December 20, 1943 – December 22, 2022) was an American singer and guitarist, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. While his roots were in blues music, he blended in the essence of funk and R&B to cre ...

Buckwheat Zydeco Stanley Dural Jr. (November 14, 1947 – September 24, 2016), better known by his stage name Buckwheat Zydeco, was an American accordionist and zydeco musician. He was one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success. His music gro ...

* Zydeco Brothers * Zydeco Force * Zydeco Joe * Zydeco Warriors * Marc Zydiac

Awards

Maison de Soul recordings that have been nominated for awards include:

References

External links