CD Review no. 55 | All CD Reviews

You probably must have been biting your nails, impatiently waiting and waiting for its release, so that you can compare it to the previous ones. Sorry, by " it " I mean " Haitiando, Vol. 3 - Comparengue ", recently released by Fred Paul under the Mini Records label. Well, you must have experienced the same feeling that I did : pure enjoyment. Volume 3 of Haitiando is as good as the first two volumes. I do not dare say which one is the best, you will have to make that comparison. All I can say is that I found this CD a dynamite one. Right from tune No. 1, " De pti pwason ", you have to get up and dance. This is a traditional Haitian tune played on the Comparengue beat ( a mixture of Konpa and merengue). Listen to the harmony between the flute, the piano and the guitar. This is music to your ears. Pay close attention to the bass patterns. Not once is the same note repeated, which keeps the song in constant movement. As was the case with the previous albums, you can feel the comfort level reflected in the play of the musicians which each other. The music flows with complete ease. Singer Boulo Valcourt, as usual, is impeccable. His phrasing and the nuances he introduces enhance the songs.

An added bonus and a very pleasant surprise on the album is the presence of the legendary Pierre Blain as the lead singer in five of the eleven songs. It is obvious that he never stopped singing and his voice sounds as fresh as when he sang with Nemours Jean-Baptiste and countless other groups. He does a wonderful job. Eddy Prophète is as efficient on the piano, as usual I might add. Even though he is deep into jazz, he also knows when and how to play konpa phrases when necessary. Listen to his lines in tunes No. 1 for example and particularly in tune no. 3 " Ghislaine ". His solo is exquisite, a mixture of jazz phrases and typical konpa lines, while the percussion is supporting him with an infectious rythm of konparengue. In fact, Eddy must have had quite a lot of fun revisiting some of those songs he played with either Webert Sicot, or the group " Ibo Lele ". Listen to the nice arrangement of André Romain's most famous tune " La vi mizisyen ". Again, I love the way the bass player supports the song and how Eddy is playing those wonderful jazz chords on the piano. Violinist Federico Britos is must be one of the best latin violinists I have ever heard. What a beautiful arrangement of Michel Desgrottes's " Ti Minè ". This bolero is nicely introduced by José Sibaja's flugelhorn and the melody flows from there in harmonious phrases which will make you melt.

Honestly, I cannot say which one of the tunes I like best. Believe me, I listen to the CD more than once, and each time I catch something I had not heard before. In my book, this is a sure recipe for success. The musicians are outstanding. I appreciate a whole lot the fact that E. Prophète', B. Valcourt's and F. Paul's arrangements do not overwhelm the songs. Everything falls right in place. The mixing is pretty good and the choice of tunes is excellent. If you have not purchased your copy already, you are really late and you are letting a lot of good music pass you by. Take it to your next party. I guarantee that no one will be sitting down once you put it on.

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For some time now , I have been complaining about the reduced presence of Haitian female artists on the Haitian musical list. This complaint was only partially answered to with Gina Dupervil's latest release " Comme jadis ". I say " partially ", because I know there are many more female artists in the wings who are so good! Nevertheless, after listening to Gina Dupervil's newest release, I would simply say that I love it.

For those who long for the late great singer Gérard Dupervil, Gina seeks to bridge the gap, in the same manner that Natalie Cole did with her father Nat King Cole. The subtitle of her CD is aptly " Les plus grands succès de mon père " (My father's greatest hits). And what an hommage ! Gina is accompanied by some of the same musicians featured on Haitiando, notably Leo Quintero (guitar), Federico Britos (violin), Jose Sibaja (trumpet). You understand then why the harmony on this CD is so fine and why the violin is out of this world. Gina's voice will particularly carry you away. Her phrasing is clear, accurate. If I were to describe in on word the whole CD, I would say that it is relaxing. As you listen to the lyrics of the songs, you long for the good old times when these artists really used to sit down and write meaningful lyrics. Gina's voice has this soothing quality which appeases and creates a tranquil listening environment. The arrangements are exquisite; they are not flashy and they are perfectly adapted to the ballads; that is a tribute to arrangers.

Do you remember Gérard Dupervil's nostalgic" Sagesse ", his praise to " Bèl chè Manman " and " Manman ", his poignant " Renmen ", his famous " Fleur de mai ", his emotional " Bon voyage " or his lyrical " Lointain " etc. I only list these, but there are 14 of those hits to take you back to memory lanes and I can tell you that Gina Dupervil does an absolutely great job in paying hommage to her father. Listening to this album will make you realize even more how great an artist Gérard Dupervil was and it is only fitting that her daughter release such an album. She is supported by a great cast of musicians. The mixing is excellent, the arrangements are superb, her voice is wonderful and all this is a formula for a great mix of fine music. So, run to your CD store, get your copy, and go to your girlfriend or wife, as the case may be, and enjoy it together, a bottle of cremas on hand…..

Finally, I understand that Réginald Policard has released a new album. I unfortunately have not been able to get my copy at the time of this writing, but I hear it is excellent. But that is nothing new, since everything he has put out has been excellent . So, if you know about the music of R. Policard, you may be assured that you will be getting quality music. I am willing to bet on that. Meanwhile, you will read about it in the next Chronique sometimes in the beginning of the New Year. May I wish all the readers of Chronique musicale a prosperous and healthy New Year 2002. May our artists continue to prosper and produce quality music. May our female artists be better represented in 2002. And finally, may our artists make it a point in 2002 to write better lyrics for their songs!

Serge Bellegarde
For Windows on Haiti