Chronique no. 37 | Chronique Index

No better tribute can be rendered to a musical form than when other musicians start playing that music, particularly when they are from a different country. Haitian Rasin music seems to be at that stage of its development. In other Chroniques, I reviewed groups like Amanda and Simbi from Sweden, now comes from France the group called Adjabel which recently released a live album entitled "Tanbou, base music -Racine 1". Cyril Forman otherwise called Atissou Loko created this group. With another rapper called Salah Maïga, he created the group called "Adjabel" in 1995. In 1997, a female singer called Mariame Kadi joined the group. From the start, the group decided to get its inspiration from the Haitian peasant tradition which, it felt, had been preserved almost intact. Directly influenced by the Rasin Movement in Haiti in the 80s, their music reflects it.

Tune No. 2 "Lawé" is not only played on a yanvalou beat, but Ms. Kadi also sings in Haitian Kreyòl. She does an excellent job. It is clear that the percussions players have done their homework. The rhythm is infectious. And add to that the African guitar strumming of East Africa and you have a wonderful mix. Tune No. 4 starts like a voodoo ceremony in a peasant setting, with background and all. Tune No. 5, "La bèl" is also played on a yanvalou beat and sung in Haitian Kreyòl by Ms. Kadi. This is a nice tune enhanced by the guitar. How about Tune No. 6 "Viv lespwi" sung in Kreyòl on a hot rara beat? I can see the people in the club where the group was playing finding it difficult to keep still in their seats, particularly during a fiery drum solo by Atissou Loko.

It would be most interesting to see Adjabel travel to Haiti and play with some of the Haitian Masters of Rasin Music, an encounter that could only enhance its prestige through the world. Those following the evolution of Rasin music will be interested in this album.

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From Rasin music, now to Konpa Dirèk... but not any kind of Konpa though! On his newest release, Dadou Pasquet and the Magnum Band engage in an interesting experiment, although one that is not new for Dadou Pasquet. This album is a mixture of Haitian songs and Konpa interpretations of songs by popular American artists: Cher, Neil Sedaka, Frank Sinatra.

Those who listen to Dadou Pasquet are now familiar with his unique style of Konpa and this CD does not depart from this tradition: nice melodic lines, off-beat breaks and solid brass work. Pasquet's distinctive and crisp guitar style is also very evident throughout the album. Tune No. 4 "Inch Allah" is played on a nice reggae beat. In this composition, Dadou Pasquet even sings in Arabic. Tune No. 5 "Tout doucement", written by Lionel Benjamin, is a pretty melody sung with lyricism by Dadou. Tune No. 6 "Facing East" is pretty sophisticated and full of funk with a lot of nice guitar and piano work. Listen to the pretty arrangements made by Pasquet in Tune No.7, Neil Sedaka's "My friend". Tune No. 9 "Ain't no sunshine" is played on a Haitian folkloric beat and this is quite an original arrangement. Tune No. 10 is an interesting mix of Haitian folklore and Konpa. I also like the Konpa arrangement of the famous tune "My way". This is the kind of arrangements that Dadou Pasquet excels in.

The mixing is excellent and Pasquet is strongly supported by artists like Fabrice Rouzier, Réginald Policar, Laurent Cicéron and so many others. As usual on Dadou Pasquet's albums, he writes lyrics for his songs that are thoughtful and make sense. For Dadou Pasquet's fans, this is another album to add to your collection.

Serge Bellegarde