First the regrets… where are the cricket songs! Pad Up, Pierre's debut on his boss’ label was an enjoyable glide through Pierre's organ trio material, very Wes Montgomery, and along the way it celebrated Pierre's love of cricket. Radio Jumbo, though, goes deeper into Pierre's island roots. Although that Montgomery/Benson influence remains to the fore (check out those long runs and smooth tone on ‘Ma Molly’), Pierre's also embraced the rhythms of Dominica and the French Antilles, notably Martinique. To this end he's linked up with Paris-based pianist Mario Canonge, who played briefly with the Zouk band Malavoi. The resulting mix of jazz harmonies and Zouk rhythms adds up to an irresistible mix of groove and dance vibes, making this a highly satisfying, not to mention unusual, release.

This is most obvious on the title track where Pierre takes up the banjo (bought in Kent, that well known bastion of Zouk) and unfurls a long single string theme over clattering carnival drums while Manonge holds it all down with mad chords and the most danceable of figures. The only surprise is that the whirligig comes to an end, the dance could’ve gone on forever. Strings, again reminiscent of Malavoi, filling in where you’d expect brass, are also effective on ‘Like I Remembered’ that also has a splash of pans. So sit back and enjoy Pierre's big smiling music, actually, don't do that. Get up and dance, this is sunshine music for our wintry rainy days.

Jazzwise talks to Cameron Pierre about his album

Tell us about Radio Jumbo.

All the radio stations played British and American pop which I wasn't interested in. But Radio Jumbo was a French-speaking radio station on Martinique that broadcast this fantastic range of music you couldn't hear anywhere else. And that's where I got to hear so much of the music that influences this album.

But your dad's love of jazz influenced you too?

I’ll tell you a secret, he had a rum shop, in the north of the island where you couldn't receive Radio Jumbo. I’d shuffle between him and his Nat King Cole and Ella records and my gran and Radio Jumbo in the south. I guess John Collins [Nat King Cole's guitarist] and Joe Pass [with Ella] were big early influences.

And the music of the islands?

My greatest musical influence by far would have been a band called Exile One lead by the charismatic Gordon Henderson. They were the founders of a musical style called Cadence Lypso that had spread in popularity to the French Antilles, Africa and beyond. They were the very first band from the Eastern Caribbean to be signed to a major record label. Imagine the effect that had on an island with a population of some 60,000 people, where the idea of music making as a living is derided.

But you did get to make a living…

…and you had to get really good ears! Everyone wants to hear you play the number one sound that Friday night at the gig. The radio is playing Leo Sayer, The Beatles, The Eagles. I didn't have a radio – I had to listen to radios in the street, music was played loud everywhere: you listened to them. You had to learn that number one song else you didn't get another gig!