What time is it? It’s time for another edition of Kreyolicious Music, in which I your favorite chick Kreyolicious goes over the latest Haitian music releases! Today’s episode is Elie Lapointe Tempation.
“Excited”, featuring Bato Always, is a bouncing ballad. It’s about man’s meeting with the person who’s destined to be the love of his life. Everything’s in place…there’s physical chemistry, attraction, and the love pours like hail in the winter season. There’s even some heavy breathing.
Lapointe has a duet with singer Rutshelle entitled “Dans Tes Bras” (In Your Arms). Two lovers have been separated for a considerable time, and when they’re reunited…well…straight in each other’s arms they go. During their time apart, the narrator comforted himself with songs they used to sing together.
“Agora” is a remake of Lionel Richie’s classic ballad “Hello” with violin. Lapointe gives it his island touch, with konpa and zouk beats embedded. He gets really lose with “The One”, featuring Carlo Vieux. This song is truly romantic, and very, very smooth.
Is “Jije’m” (Judge Me), featuring Manfred, the best song on Temptation? Probably. In the song, the narrator has done his woman wrong. He’s repentant (a good sign), and asks her for her forgiveness (another good sign). Is there anything better than humility? He calls her an exceptional woman, and admits his faults and gross errors. He wants to be judged with her as the sole Supreme Court Justice. Aww. This song is very touching. One can only hope that the narrator is sincere and isn’t just giving lip service in order to be forgiven…only to start his heinous sins against his girl.
Let me see what else Temptation is going to tempt me with! “Se Pou Mwen Se Pou Wou” (For You and For Me) contains all the elements you’d want in a love song…the begging and pleading…a groovy production, and charming lyrics. It’s a collaboration with Lapointe and another artist Gerald KZino. The song lacks the dramatic turns present in “Jije’m”. It’s about enjoying love to the fullest, and seeing everything from positive angles.
Thought “Traka Manman” (Mother’s Load) was an actual track at first, but turns out it’s an interlude…a welcome interlude. In this spoken-word segment, Lapointe emphasizes the need for women to be respected. “Respect women, respect mothers…loving moms means loving life,” the singer declares. Amen, bro! Most of “Traka Manman” is delivered acapella. This should have been a full song. Maybe the singer can expound on this theme for his next album?
She can wait. He can’t wait. That’s pretty much the story in “That Girl”, featuring the singer Oswald. The song outlines what happens when one partner is not on the same page as the other. He’s obsessed with her…and she…well…not so much. He’s ready to commit, but she’s in no hurry. “Don’t mistake my love for weakness,” he pleads in the bridge of the song. He can’t fault her. He’s the one who has to get a full rein on his emotions. He even admits that he handed her his heart with his eyelids shut. So much vulnerability.
“I don’t see myself without you,” contends the narrator in “Tell Me”, featuring Jude Jean. Um, this song has got the most romantic line ever: “I may have been in love before you/But I won’t be able to fall in love after you”. What a line. Somebody hold me before I pass out. I like the vulnerability, openness, and honesty in this song.
There’s more self-control conveyed in “Never”, featuring Klemay. “Never” and “Di Wi” a track that’s on the singer’s previous album (and available on Amazon), go hand in hand. “Di Wi” tells a complicated story. The narrator chides his woman for allowing outsiders to negatively impact their relationship. They were on the brink of marriage, but naysayers stalled the wedding plans with misguided advice. But by the end of the lyrics, it’s obvious that everything has been thankfully resolved. Both songs are about how outside forces can destroy a relationship. But can outside forces really break a relationship without the main people’s involvement? But in contrast with “Di Wi”, in “Never” the narrator takes responsibility for his relationship. “I will never leave you for another one,” he vows.
“Temptation” with Nichols and Kleva Kidd is definitely dance-floor material with a reggae sensibility.
Temptation the album offers different side’s of a man’s experiences. There’s the provocative (“Tonight”, featuring Baby D), the reflective (“Never”) and the remorseful (“Jije’m”). They all add up to the ups and downs of life.
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