Chronique #76 - Konpa, Konpa

[Serge Bellegarde*]

Chronique musicale #76

If you have not noticed, Konpa Dirèk is alive and well, vibrant and moving fon. Of course, everyone has his or her preference, as there are enough groups to go around, but you all will agree with me that the top of the ladder is getting pretty crowded. And the more, the merrier for the music. I explain why below.

Not too long ago, Djakout Mizik released an excellent CD entitled : “Manniguéta”. As I said in one of my previous Chroniques, I just love to hear the natural sound of the horn, a solid sound. That is what you will hear with Djakout Mizik . Right from the introduction, you get hit with a nice introduction by the horns. Nothing to make me feel better! The group, which has been together for a while now, feels at ease and plays a moving forward konpa, a beat that will prevent you from sitting still. All the tunes are very nice, some played on a fast beat, others on a slower one. Listen to tune No. 1 then to tunes No. 3, 4, 5. The title tune Manniguéta is a really nice piece too. The CD is just pleasant to listen to, with all the different variations on the Konpa beat. Tune No. 8 is an example of such variations. Tune No. 9 is played on a nice reggae beat, as the group shows its versatility.

All in all, this is a solid Konpa CD. The mixing is excellent, the lyrics are very decent and not as flat as that of so many other groups. With the holiday parties coming up, you cannot go wrong with Djakout’s Manniguéta. It is a very good CD.

If you are still in the mood for solid Konpa Dirèk, you cannot leave out Nu Look‘s latest CD. Folks, this is a CD that will put ants in your pants, as would say James Brown. “Still News”, the title of their latest CD is a super album. Like Djakout, Nu Look has a solid horn section which resonates. Their brand of Konpa is similar to that of Djakout, but the more you listen, the more you start hearing some differences
here and there. Of course, Nu Look is lead by the legendary singer Gazmann Pier Couleur whose voice gives the band a definite identity.

I have a lot of favorite tunes on this album, like Tunes No. 1, 2 , 3 , 4 etc. Just to say that the whole album is just very good. The lyrics on the CD are pretty good and I tend to give Nu Look the edge over the Djakout Mizik CD in terms of lyrics. Of particular relevance is Tune No. 7, Young Blood, which expresses profound concern about our youth and the desolate conditions in which they live. You hear the singer saying how they must be protected because they are the future of the country. That is so true! These are excellent lyrics written by Gazmann Pier Couleur.

Yes, Konpa Dirèk on the eve of its 50th year, is alive and well. You just listen to these 2 Cds and you will easily agree me. They would make a nice Christmas gift to a Konpa lover. So run to your record shop to add them to your collection.

Serge Bellegarde
For Windows on Haiti

December 2004