With the end of the year upon us, so is the cornucopia of Haitian CD's out for the occasion and there seems to be enough variety for all age groups.
First of all, for the old Haitian music collectors, for our elders who remain « conservative » and would prefer to reminisce about old times rather than listen to the new stuff, you will happy to know that the Label Mini Record has put out five CDs from Guy Durosier, Raoul Guillaume, Fritz Pereira, Ensemble Aux Calebasses and Weber Sicot. These artists do not need any introduction. Two years ago, after a long absence, Guy Durosier put out a CD entitled: Reminiscences haïtiennes. This CD does not seem to have retained the attention of the public at large, however I found the arrangements on this album simply stunning. This just confirms that Guy Durosier has not lost a step, whether as a musician, arranger, composer, or as a singer. Take the third tune « Dodo », a well known Haitian lullaby. This melody is so simple and so straightforward, yet Guy Durosier’s treatment of this song is absolutely exquisite. You have to listen to it to fully appreciate what I am talking about. Raoul Guillaume was a prolific artist who left us with such memorables tunes like Bouqui, Joseph. Fritz Pereira is an artist who used to live in Canada playing along with Guy Durosier. Ensemble Aux Calebasses (later to become Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste) and Webert Sicot are indispensable additions to your record collection.
Haitian Konpa Direk, like many other types of music, has undergone quite a few changes over the years since its creation in the 50s by Nemours Jean-Baptiste. You will remember in the 70s the so-called « Mini Jazz » revolution which saw the abolition of the horn section in favor of the guitar and the keyboard. Only Tropicana and Septentrional, the two giants from the North quietly maintained the course and kept a full horn section. What came later vindicated their decision. I have always felt that one of the side effects of this « revolution » was the truncated development of our horn players. This was most apparent when the horn section was reintroduced in Haitian music in the 80's. Many Haitian groups had to recruit non-Haitian horn players in their bands to bring new life to Konpa Direk. Of course, one positive factor was that our music got more exposure.
Nevertheless, a number of Haitian horn players have emerged and are quickly bridging the gap. We know of course the very famous Frères Déjean whose reputation goes beyond the borders of Haiti. There is however another Haitian horn player who may not be as well known by the public at large, but who in Haitian circles, commands tremendous respect. He has been doing excellent work as a musician, arranger and composer . Edy Brisseaux is a wonderful trumpet player. Just listen to the album he put out last year : Ban’m Mizik. His jazz arrangements of Konpa Direk tunes clearly reveal his orientation. The adaptation he made of a Ray Noble’s song (Cherokee), is very original and imaginative. Rabop is the title he gives to this tune which has been played by many different jazz artists. Brisseaux gives an excellent rendition on a rara beat. His trumpet solo is something else. The background vocals on his konpa dirèk tunes are more than just a supporting cast in the music, they make whole new melodies with their voices. And take note not only of the music, but also of the very meaningful lyrics. In sum, I feel this album did not get enough recognition. Edy Brisseaux has a kind of silky sound, an excellent mastery of his instrument and there is nothing I would like to see more than an encounter between Edy Brisseaux and Edy Prophète, the two Edys together. What a treat that would be!
Stay tuned for Tabou Combo’s latest, an album recorded live during its recent 30th Anniversary Concert in France. Strings’s second album is also out, and... much more!
Serge Bellegarde