'Disques Debs International Vol. 1: An Island Story' is the first compilation series of one of the most important French Caribbean labels, Guadeloupian Disques Debs International. The label was founded by Henri Debs in the nineteen fifties, and in the following five decades produced no less than 300 7inch singles and 200 LPs, in genres ranging from early biguines and boleros to zouk and reggae, playing a crucial role in the dissemination of French-Antillean culture. This first volume, compiled by Hugo Mendez (Sofrito) and Emile Omar (Radio Nova), focuses on the early years of the label, when recording was still done in a back room of Henri's shop in Point-à-Pitre. Apart from Henri's own quintet and sextet ('Douce Kombass', 'Moin Çe On Maléré' featuring Paul Blamar), bands like Orchestre Esperanza ('Ou Pas Bel' featuring Jean Leroy) and Orchestre Caribbean Jazz can be heard on this compilation, next to jazz poet and radio personality Casimir 'Caso' Létang ('Travail Z'enfants! Chantez Après!') and gwo ka folk artist Sydney Leremon ('You You Matayango'). Disques Debs also invited touring artists like Haitian trumpet player Raymond Cicault ('À Mon Ami Lucien Jolibois') and Trinidadian Cyril Diaz ('Feeling Happy') to the studio. Volumes 2 and 3 are expected to follow in 2019. Unique insight into French-Antillean music history.