Chronique no. 27 | Chronique Index

I recently picked a CD by a new group on the block. Zatrap's first album came out a few weeks ago and while there are no new grounds broken there, this is a solid, steady Konpa dirèk album, and for a good reason. Among some of the guest musicians, you find two of the most prominent Haitian ones : André and Lionel Déjean. It is always a pleasure to listen to Les Frères Déjean on any album. The rhythm guitars do a wonderful job of sustaining the music. The strumming is very accurate and well organized. You can particularly hear it on tunes no 2, 3 and 5. Those who are used to the sound of Les Frères Déjean will immediately recognized their style in tune No. 3. However, the mixing could have been much better. Some instruments are too muffled. A trumpet solo by André Déjean on tune No. 5 does not come out clearly enough. It is a pity. The guitar strumming is so nice that it should have been better mixed. Another aspect of my criticism is related to the lyrics. Some of those songs could have used some serious editing. Unfortunately, nowadays, too many Haitian groups pay more attention to the melody and write the lyrics almost as an afterthought. There is a whole lot to be said about that, but this subject should be discussed in another forum. This is otherwise an entertaining CD which should fit nicely in a party.

Another Konpa CD which came out recently is Zenglen's Easy Konpa album. Indeed, the music is nice. Tune No. 2 " B. S. Production " has a nice easy groove and interesting lyrics. The singer complains about those who hire the band without adequate planning and when the party turns into a fiasco, everybody suffers. Many Haitians have been victimized by dishonest promoters who are out to make quick money to the expenses of the band and the partygoers. Tune No. 3 features one of my favorite bass players: Yves Albert Abel. On guitar is a musician who has played with everyone. Denis Nozile, better known as Ti Polis has played with Les Frères Déjean, Tuco Bouzi, Ska Sha; he has cut his own CDs and the list could go on. He provides steady guitar support to the music. The mixing is adequate, even though it could have been crispier. Just like the previous CD, there is no big surprise in terms of the music. The lyrics could have also benefited from some editing. But overall, it is a good listening CD for Konpa Dirèk.

Departing from the usual pattern of reviewing only Haitian CDs, the next one I am going to review is somewhat special and you will understand why as you read on. But first, a bit of history. Two years ago, I had the pleasure of participating , along with some others, to a small discussion preceding a concert by a group called Desandann. That was on of the most enjoyable and emotional moment for me. Desandann is an a capella Cuban group made up of second and third generations of Haitians. Between the period of 1791 to roughly the 1980's, many Haitians emigrated to Cuba, particularly in the Oriente Province, and their sons and daughters born there decided that they not only wanted to know the land of their ancestors, but they made it their mission to maintain Haitian culture alive in Cuba. And this is Desandann (Descendants). They are made up of ten young men and women led by the Maestra Emilia Díaz Chavez. If you were not fortunate enough to see them when they were on tour in the Washington area two years ago and in New York and other cities, you can now enjoy their CD. This is a real treat. The collection of songs presented on the CD is a rich panoramic view of Haitian culture: Wongolo, Guede Nibo, Maroule, Fèy, Choucoune, Haiti Chérie, Lumane Casimir, etc., 14 songs in all. I really consider this CD a collector's item. The voices and the arrangements are superb. The group only uses some percussion instruments ; the voices do all the rest. Desandann only sings in Creole, so as to better preserve the authenticity of the culture . As Emilia Díaz Chavez told me, the Group's primary objective is to preserve Haitian culture in Cuba and to make it well known throughout the country. Believe me, listening to the group telles me that this mission is being largely fulfilled. You may have some difficulty to find this CD, but I would urge you to run to the record store to get your copy, you won't regret it and you will thoroughly enjoy it.

Serge Bellegarde