The Chronique this week is longer than usual, but I do not think you will mind. There is so much material that I cannot help it. The traditional bumper crop of CDs is in full swing, and we haven’t seen the last of them yet. Some groups are still waiting a strategic time to launch their CDs. It is a matter of business as well as entertainment. This having been said, I thought it was only fitting to start this review with a Haitian band which has reached such heights that it remains a unique phenomenon in Haitian music circles. I am of course referring to Tabou Combo’s latest CD: 30 ans jusqu’au Zenith – 30 years to the Zenith.

Indeed, Tabou Combo deserves all the recognition it is getting now. It is not easy for a Haitian band of this kind to show such discipline, determination, organization and vision. And who can forget how Tabou Combo literally rescued the Konpa dirèk from the onslaught of "Zouk" with its album "Kité’m fè zafè’m". This new CD does not contain any new songs, but it is a collection of 16 of some of Tabou’s best. One of my favorites is "Yo", a haunting melody beautifully sung by one of the guests on the album, Jocelyne Béroard. Among other guests are Jacob Desvarieux, Jean-Philippe Marthély, Jean-Claude Naimro, Beethova Obas and others. This album is great tribute to an admirable group of musicians who started so young and so inexperienced, but had a vision. And by the way, the presentation of the CD is quite impressive. If you are having a party at any time of the year and need non-stop movement, then you should get Tabou Combo’s latest album. It is guaranteed party ambiance.

In Chronique #9, I mentioned the reissue of old Haitian music on CD. Well folks, there is much more under the Mini Records Label, I am happy to report. There are two reissues of Raoul Guillaume music: "Raoul Guillaume et son Groupe" and "Raoul Guillaume et son orchestre". The latter is a wonderful cooperation between the legendary saxophone player Weber Sicot and Raoul Guillaume’s orchestra. There are some very nice arrangements and Sicot is at his best. At times, he sounds like this famous African-American jazz player Cannonball Adderley. Even though he left us, at least his legacy remains strong. Raoul Guillaume was such a prolific producer that it is nice to finally see his music available on CDs. I hope that the public’s response will encourage Mini Records to continue the very expensive and arduous task of systematically reissuing old Haitian music on CDs.

Another new CD, which came out for the holidays, is entitled "New York All Stars". A number of excellent musicians are featured: Welmyr and Kinelly Jean-Pierre (two brothers whose names, along with other brother Assel, are increasingly in demand in Haitian music circles), the magnificent bassist Yves A. Abel (Tabou Combo), Reginald Benjamin, Denis Nozile, Makarios Césaire, Jn-Claude Jean (guitarists) and much more. This is a rather more sophisticated Konpa dirèk by a number of seasoned musicians and you can hear it. This is a showcase of Welmyr Jean-Pierre’s talents as a composer and an arranger. Listen to tunes No. 3, 7 and 8 in particular. The pianist shows sensitivity and creativity. One of my favorites also is Yves Abel’s composition "Love" (No. 4). This Reggae beat confirms him as a sophisticated composer and an imaginative musician. My only criticism of this album is the mixing could have been better so as to enhance the sound and allow the listeners to catch the many subtleties of the arrangements. Otherwise, it is an excellent addition to your music collection.

Finally, folks, there is another excellent CD just out for the holidays. Yves Arsene Apollon, the well-known drummer from the Ska Sha has come out swinging. I found his album excellent. The mixing is very good, the arrangements are very nice and, most impressive, all the music and the lyrics are by A. Apollon . Two things in this album impressed me. Apollon does not try to reinvent the Konpa. His play is steady, giving the music a kind of stability, which allows the song to flow freely. Secondly, the lyrics are pretty good too. The third tune entitled "Citwayen" is a forceful indictment of our leaders who failed in the past and continue to fail to respond to the needs of the Haitian citizens. Apollon shows with this tune his concern for the problems confronting the great majority since 1804: jobs, better living conditions, education, health.

The horn section is excellent and I was glad to hear Eddy Brisseaux in that horn section. Gérard Daniel (Volo Volo) and Jean-Robert Damas (Accolade) are also guest sax players. The pianists are Assel and Welmyr Jean-Pierre and the bass player Yves A. Abel. On guitar, Ricardo Frank (Ti Plume) and on vocals Dieudonné Larose, Jean-Michel St.Victor, Hans Cherubin and others. The saxophone dialogue on the fourth tune "Espwa" and the flute solo on the fifth tune "Nèg Créole" are very harmonious. I cannot quite decide which one of the tunes is my favorite on this CD. They all sound nice to me and as far as I am concerned, this means that it should be part of any music collection. The last tune "Chika Boom" is not a Konpa but a Soukous tune sang by an African. I am sure that it will become a hit in African circles here and abroad. This just confirms that Haitian can and will play any kind of music under the sun .

It is of course the first days of the year, but I am willing to stick my neck out to say that this CD will become one of the best for 1999.

An update

A trend is slowly and surely taking hold on the Haitian musical scene. Bands which had disbanded are getting back together. I reported in the past that Les Frères Déjean are in Haiti and in the process of getting the band back on its feet. Les Fantaisistes de Carrefour are back playing. Last December 19 in Boston and on December 26 in Miami, Les Ambassadeurs brought down the house. I heard that the dance was sold out in Miami and Haitians in Boston were absolutely delighted that Les Ambassadeurs are back. Some people became quite emotional about it and even shed tears. Everyone is anxiously waiting for the first CD of les Ambassadeurs to come out after more than 20 years .

Serge Bellegarde