CD Review no. 50 | All CD Reviews

After a rather long hiatus, it is only fitting that the first Konpa dirčk CD I review be entitled "Let it Groove" by the famous group Zenglen. And what a groove! You probably remember their previous CD which was pretty good. I think this one is even better.

Zenglen plays some solid Konpa dirčk on this CD. The rhythm is settled, the arrangements are nice and the mixing is pretty good. I find that the band plays with a kind of serenity and maturity which enhance the Konpa sound. There is an interesting point to be made about Zenglen. Although it is a young group, it has managed however to adopt a style which is both modern and traditional. Indeed, while the arrangements are modern, Zenglen can sound very traditional. Listen for example how in some songs, the brass is harmonized, playing lines that are very reminiscent of the way Nemours Jean-Baptiste big band used to sound; yet, the other instruments sound very modern. Nickenson Prudhomme, the keyboard player and the lead vocal, plays some very pretty lines which are enriched by the sound programs he uses on his instrument.

The maturity of the band is readily noticeable. In general, the lyrics are pretty good. Listen to tunes No. 3, 5, 6 and 7, to name those few. To tell you the truth, all the tunes sound very good. This is a solid all-around CD. The instruments do not make noise and I also like the background vocals. In short, this is a strong addition to your collection of Konpa dirčk. Run to your CD supplier to get your copy, you will not regret it.

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One of my favorite Haitian groups used to be the Caribbean Sextet, a forward looking group which unfortunately has ceased to exist. It used to have some of the most modern arrangements in Konpa dirčk. One of the members was guitarist Philippe (Toto) Laraque, whose name has appeared countless times alongside other musicians. Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing his CD in this Chronique and it is with equal or even greater pleasure that I review his latest CD called "Guitarement vôtre". Indeed, it is a treat.

In contrast with his previous CD, this one is entirely instrumental and this does not make it less enjoyable. If you want to hear some quiet, soothing Konpa dirčk, then this CD is the right one for you. The rhythm is smooth, settled and just satisfying to your ears. Right from the first song, you get this feeling of serenity. The songs are not rushed, there is no noise and the mixing is excellent. The mix of songs is also most interesting. Indeed, there are songs by Don Felder, Barry Mann, Les Difficiles de Pétion-Ville , George Benson, Toto Laraque, Fabrice Rouzier and more. The arrangements are most noteworthy, notably that of the famous George Benson’s tune "Breezin", played on a Konpa beat. As far as I know Toto Laraque is probably the first Haitian musician to play this song that way . And what a job he did! One of my favorite tunes on the album is No. 8 "Haďti bel fanm" by Sidon Joseph, a wonderful Haitian singer who seems to have disappeared since he participated in the American Airlines competition in the late 70s. Listen to Toto’s arrangement of this song.

Haitian musicians have always been in love with Salsa Music, so it is no surprise that Toto included a salsa tune which sounds very nice. Tune No. 5 is a composition by Fabrice Rouzier (Mizik Mizik), one of my favorite keyboard players whom, I find, has a very creative musical mind. Toto does an excellent job with this song arranged by one of the musicians Karlill François. I could go on and on for each of the songs, but suffice it to say that this is a nice album to get. Toto Laraque is not a flashy guitarist. His has a smooth style and is very accurate. He has a joyful approach to the guitar and reminds me sometimes of American guitar great Joe Pass. I would like to ask Toto which guitarist may have influenced him.

He is supported by a very good cast of musicians, among them Michel Laraque (his brother), Pascal Laraque (His son), Fabrice Rouzier, Ewald Manigat, Karlill François and others. They provide solid support throughout . As I said earlier, the mixing is very good and helps to enhance the music. If you are familiar with his first CD, then you must have this one; it is as good if not better. You can take my word for it.

Serge Bellegarde
For Windows on Haiti