Chronique no. 13 | Chronique Index
This past week, I was finally able to get my hand on a copy of Stringsª latest CD and I understand why it has been selling like hot cakes. At least 2,000 have already been sold since it came out last December. If you loved the first one, you will love this one too.
The CD is simply excellent. If you are into guitar playing, Jacky Ambroise, the bandleader, dazzles you with his dexterity and quickness. The CD is a mixture of flamenco style music, Konpa Direk, meringue etc. You can listen to the music or you can dance to it (although I think it will be nearly impossible to sit still listening to it). The group exudes a joie de vivre, which is very contagious. Listen for example to the second tune "Cielito Lindo", or the fourth tune "Confirmation", or the sixth one or any other. Every single one will put ants in your pants, to paraphrase this famous African American singer. On percussion is Joel Widmaier, whose musical credentials are sufficiently known. He does a fantastic job of accompanying Jacky every step of the way. The closing tune, "Bleu de lune", written by Widmaier is a beautiful slow, haunting melody which Jacky treats delicately. Even an old classic like "Historia de un amor" sounds fresh and reminds me of the famous "Trio Los Panchos". In sum, this CD lives up to the billing of the first one, which is no small accomplishment. I am raving about this CD because it is really worth it . Run to get your copy and before you know it, you will be calling your friends to urge them to do the same, I guarantee it….
One of my favorite long playing albums has been put on CD. In 1991, Alix Jacques and Colé Colé Band recorded an excellent album and I was very happy to see it on CD. It is entitled "Symphonie inachevée". Sounds like a big name, but really folks, this is music at its best. I do not know of any other Haitian group which has used the violin as extensively as Alix Jacques did with his band. By the way, he wrote all the music and besides his superb bass playing, he reveals himself a very good composer. He has a solid and full sound on the bass which fills up the song. Listen to the superb arrangements on the title tune "Symphonie inachevée" or Jennifer, Yabofè. This will be m-u-s-i-c to your ears. Alix Jacques shows his solid musical background and his knowledge of harmony and classical music. Moreover, I do not recall having heard so many Jewish people playing Konpa and the violin playing such a prominent role in our music: Marvin Morgenstern – 1rst violin; Max Ellen – 2nd violin, Theodore Israel – viola, Jonathan Abramovitz – Cello; David Sacks – Trombone. What a combination and what harmony! Add to that a solid brass section and excellent percussion and everything sounds like a philharmonic orchestra. On trumpet, Luis Perico Ortiz, an excellent Puerto Rican musician feels at ease playing Konpa. I know that Alix Jacques lives in New York, but for some reason, he has taken himself out of the musical scene. C’est bien dommage! We would have liked to listen to more of such nice music.
With Valentine upon us, nothing would be more appropriate than to recommend the right music to set the proper ambiance. Yves Mardice does the job. His CD "Pot Pourri No.2" is a nice bland of soft music from different artists: Les Ambassadeurs, Gérard Dupervil, La Chanson française, etc. Mardice has a very harmonious voice backed by very nice arrangements by Ansyto Mercier (Digital Express), one of the best at programming that keyboard. He seems to do whatever he wants with it. So, if you are looking for some nice, soft sound to listen to with your better half, Mardice’s CD is a very good choice. Add to that the CD by this other love singer Jacques Sauveur Jean and you are guaranteed the right mood to make you confess to anything.
Serge Bellegarde