Kreyolicious Music…in which…in which I review a kreyolicious album—

Album: Invictus, Kreyol La,
Lead Vocals: Joseph Zenny, Jr
Musicians: Joseph Zenny Jr (lead singer) Stanley Herisse ( Bassist) Lhoman Jean ( Guitarist) Theophile Jadotte ( Bass) Antonio Guillaume ( Drums) Edler St Cyr ( Gongs). Information Credit: Band’s Facebook page

The first thing you want to know about Invictus from the band Kreyol La isn’t whether the album is decent or not…it’s what Invictus means exactly. It probably has something to do with the Roman Empire, I tell myself. So up to the ‘pedias I go. So, it turns out that in the 19th Century, British poet William Ernest Henley wrote a poem that was included in The Oxford Book of English Verse. Nowhere in the poem does the word “invictus” appear.

So, here I am as a person living in the 21st Century, trying to see if there’s a connection, a bridge of sorts between a poem written in 1892 by a British poet and a musical album released in the mid-2010s by a Haitian band.

In the last two verses of the poem, Henley wrote:

My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul

So, “Invictus” is about being invincible, and taking responsibility for one’s life. Well, that’s the poem…let’s see about the album.

Kreyol La’s Invictus album introductory song “Men Jazz La” (There Goes The Band) sets the tone. Further down the line, there’s yet another song entitled “Tout Mounn Suiv Mwen” (“Errrbody Follow Me”)…more bragging and horn-tooting.

“Before And After” got me from its very first verses with that speed-talking-singing that the lead singer does. “Before” and “after” are words that are often used to describe makeovers and welcomed changes, and sometimes negative development over time. The song “Before and After” paints two paintings before us. The first is of a couple’s relationship when they’ve first going at it. Each person tries to depict themselves as the ideal mate, and tries to conceal all their shortcomings. Total misrepresentation of one’s personalities, wishes, and tendencies! The second painting is the aftermath of when all the misrepresentations have come undone.

There’s a telling part from Mikaelle Cartwright, Zenny’s duet partner in the bridge of the song:

I don’t know why these other girls be trippin’
Calling their men the whole night
I don’t even go out…so…you don’t have to worry about a thing
And I trust you
Baby, I’m yours…one-hundred-percent

Then…it’s the 180—

Suddenly the patient boyfriend-candidate has become the impatient husband.

Fòm tann ou abiye
Makiye
Pa bliye pafime
Apre sa pou ou change lide

So wait, I have to wait for you to dress up
Put on makeup
And let’s not forget the perfuming
And you to keep changing your mind

Gee, whatever happened to the patience you displayed in the beginning? And what about the non-jealous attitude? And the controlling begins too…

Ou veye sa’m mete
Ou veye sa’m depanse
Ou pa vle wè zanmi’m
Kòmsi yo te nwi’w

You stay watching what I wear
You keep close watch on my spending
You can’t stand my friends
You act like they bother you

Ou bonbade’m avèk kout fil…

You keep blowing up my phone…

Cheri, ou jalou twòp
Depi telefonn mwen sonnen
Ou plenyen
Ou sispèk
Ou pale tenten

Ugh, you’re so freaking jealous
The minute my phone rings
You start complaining
You get all suspicious
You talk trash

Cheri, ou chanje
Se pa konsa’w te ye

Honeykins, you done changed
That’s not how you used to be

In the last verses, the song advises us all to show our cards at the beginning of a relationship, so that we don’t get unpleasant—very unpleasant surprises—in the end. How ironic, then, that the song that follows “Before and After” is a track called “Triye” that counsels men and women to be excessively picky when choosing—and exhorts them to try hard to work at things before throwing the towel. If “Triye” does it job, there will be less divorces, but a whole lot less new relationships since folks will be making better “chwa”.

The song “Fòk Ou Kwe” (You Gotta Believe) might as well as been called “Invictus”. Its motivating lyrics about being courageous and adapting to life’s difficulties with grace certainly makes it “invictus” material.

The track “Lanmou Engra” (Ungrateful Love) takes the prize for best song—lyrically speaking on Invictus. Ahem, “Triye” and “Before and After” can share the honorary prize in that category. I don’t know. It seems like the songwriter behind “Lanmou Engra” song has attention for details when it comes to love and emotions. “Lanmou Engra” addresses how we tend to forget all the great things about love when there’s a breakup or a major disagreement.

Ou pap menm sonje tout bon moman nou pase
Ou pap menm sonje menm ki jan mwen rele

You’ll have amnesia about our best moments
You probably won’t remember my name

Once this song concludes, it’s clear that a mid-way verdict can be made regarding Invictus. This whole album is like a course in love psychology with music in the background. Really. The lyrics of most of the songs are rather fresh. No corny and trite lyrics here, barely. In a song like “Rendevou”, the games men play is center stage. A known man whore is trying to charm the newest addition to his harem. He’s barely trying to avoid places where he’ll be recognized. I always have a problem with these player songs. They’re made out to be funny, but it’s hard to find them amusing…women are getting played and emotions are being played with. Featuring Michel Dulix, the song “Turn Me On” proves to be one of the most upbeat track on Invictus. I definitely can see it doing considerable damage on the dance floor. And is that a bit of/ a close cousin of autotune towards the beginning? Those sound effects are totally unnecessary.

Nap fèl an kachèt
Moun pa bezwen konnen
Ki jan nou renmen

We’re going to do it on the down-low
Nobody needs to know
The degree that we do our loving

Fanm nan mete sou sa
Sou sa o sou sa

This chick puts me in the mood
In the mood…in the mood

“Cheri Map File’w” completes the huge flirt/man-whore trilogy. This song differs from “Rendevou” and “Turn Me On” in that the girl is somewhat in on the antics.

Invictus is nearly all ballads with some few exceptions. “Peyi Cho Pa Pou Mwen” could be a great workout song…if you can do 12 steps at a time on a treadmill. Would you be able to keep up? Goodness! I call it the “Stay Awake” song on the album. If you have to pull an all-night to study for a test or a certification exam, this song should be on your playlist. That singer Mikaelle Cartwright that’s featured on the song “Before and After”…I wonder what she would be capable of if she were given songs of her own. Her voice has this jazzy feel.

William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus” was about being unconquerable. Being emotionally bulletproof in love is the theme that permeates Kreyol La’s Invictus . I suppose that the British poet and scribe of the 1800s, and the album of the 2010s demonstrate that over time, over the centuries little has changed. There’s still a need for one to gather up emotional courage in order to conquer life’s and love’s biggest hurdles.

Let’s do our best to support Haitian music. CLICK HERE to purchase Invictus from Amazon | On CD BABY | ON iTunes|
CLICK HERE to visit the KREYOL LA WEBSITE | KREYOL LA ON FACEBOOK

There’s love, and then there’s the kind of love described in the song Pou Lanmou on Darline Desca’s album A Plein Temps. Take a listen:

Mwen te toujou kwè avèk ou vi’m ta pi bèl
Pou mwen ou se yon limyè ki soti
Anyen pa ekziste lè ou pran kote’m
Sa yo di…mwen pa ekziste san ou
E ou wè
Mwen pap jan fè anyen kont ou…
Pou lanmou mwen gen nan kè’m pou ou

Have always thought that you’re pretty much the highlight of my life
To me, you’re a bright light lighting up my life
Nothing else matters when you’re next to me
What they say…
Without you, there’s no me
And you see,
We’re always going to be on the same page
Loving you the way I do.

Oh, goodness, gracious. Co-dependent love at its worst. Mutual acquaintances are shaking their heads. This lanmou just might careen off to something really dangerous. Dangerously in love!

Zanmi di fò nou fè atansyon
Pou yo se yon foli
Nou renmen ak twòp pasyon

To them this love is pure craziness
We love too hard

But, lookee, lookee here….there’s a reason for that…..

Lanmou ak la rezon pat janm bon zanmi.
Pouki poze kesyon?
An nou pran plezi

Love and reasoning were never bosom buddies.
Why ask questions?
Let’s stay turnt up.

Aha! This is an illicit relationship. Whenever folks are afraid to ask questions, it’s usually because they’re afraid of the answer they’ll get, and if they’re afraid of the answer they’ll get, it’s usually because it’s not too pleasant. And if it’s not too pleasant….well, it’s usually because both must be doing something terribly wrong…say adultery. Oh dear, let me move on to the next song!

But wait a minute. I have to admit that I really like that line about love and reason never being friends. According to David Dasalvo in an article in Psychology Today magazine, when we’re falling in love, the brain releases less serotonin…and serotonin activates self-control…so…it’s understandable why the couple in the song “Pou Lanmou” act the way they do. Did I mention how soothing this song is? As if the listening is lying in a bright-colored canoe in a summer void of tropical storms…just vibing with some silk pillow cases in said canoe.

Sequenced much later on A Plein Temps is this song “M’Anvi”, which sounds like “Pou Lanmou” at a codependent level you didn’t think possible. Even less serotonin…barely a drop.

Manvi solèy la monte sou nou
Jis nou antre nan tè

I want the sun to go down on us
Til we get swallowed up by the earth

Oh, my! You know what would have been just torrid? Had “Ou Brase’m” followed “M’Anvi” on the record, as opposed to being the first track. The situation, captain, would have been dire. On that track, the songstress sounds like she’s going to give way to insanity any minute now.

The track “Mon Konpè” has a world-beat vibe to it. You ever see cereal slowly softening in a bowl? Well, that’s how it is with this song…the album’s jazz influences are muted out, and this roots-rock beat comes on as the songstress sings about the cultural and economic value of those who work the land.

On “Mon Konpè”, the lyrics jeer at those who flaunt French, while the folks in the mountains are basically running things. In Pwofesi, the singer goes to the next level on her exprobating, promising a more than calamitous apocalypse.

The chorus in “Sa Mwen Ye” makes the song so worthwhile. A song about empowerment, it’s easily one of the best tracks on A Plein Temps. On the title track “A Plein Temps”, it almost sounds like Macy Gray is singing in French…I wonder if she’s influenced by her at all. The song delineates the lonely life of an artist, and could as well be sung by an Ella Fitzgerald, a Corinne Rae Bailey, or…a Darline Desca.

The album closes off with “Pa Lage”, a track that’s even more empowering than “Sa Mwen Ye”. Okay, maybe not necessarily more empowering….”Sa Mwen Ye” is personal empowerment, whereas “Pa Lage” is community empowerment.

A Plein Temps is singer Darline Desca’s musical dispatch to the world. There are love signals (” Pa Dòmi San W Pa Bo M”), life lessons (“Love Is Blind”), but the best part of the dispatch is her golden voice.
CLICK HERE TO BUY DARLINE DESCA’S A PLEIN TEMPS ON AMAZON | A PLEIN TEMPS ON CDBABY

Kreyolicious Music…in which…in which I review a record by a band, group or artist.

Album: Verdict
Group/Artist: Dat7
Musicians: Lead vocalist: Olivier Duret. Congas and Maestro: Ricot Amazan. Eddy Viau: Percussions. Vladimir Alexis: Drums. Michael Keyboards: Michael Junior Bellevue. Bass: Ramenshy Fausin. Guitar: Telusma Morizio.

Guest Musicians: Nickenson Prudhome, Gerald Kebreau, Harold St. Louis, Ralph Menelas, Sanders Solon, Rivenson Louissaint, James Monplaisir, Valery Lezin, Jeff Medelus, Dukens Pierre-Louis, Alain Fleurine, Duval Hummer, Guy Brisse, Jude Severe, Michael Benjamin, Jean Levelt Vital, Fantom Barikad.

Sa w Tap Fè

I like the frenetic pace at which lead singer Olivier Duret belts out this track. What would you have done? We judge others everyday, especially when they make decisions we don’t agree with—as if we were walking in their shoes. In reality, we don’t really know how we would react and counteract…unless we were actually in said position.

Verdict: Some serious moralizing going on in this song…Sure, I can dig.

Why

What’s happening in “Why”? A gent is calling out his girl on the interference of her girlfriend in their relationship. From his point of view, the bestie has gone past reasonable boundaries with her meddling and counseling. She’s out to destroy him, her…them…and their relationship. I remember once, the writer JasFly (was it?), had written something about what she termed “bad weather friends”, and these so-called weather friends are the sort who bask and rejoice when you’re in a woeful situation. They do this, not because they get some sick pleasure in seeing you through “bad weather”, but I guess because it gives them some purpose. This said, there’s this rather interesting line in this song:

Pouki yon fanm pa janm vle wè lè yon lòt fanm ap fè siksè
Li vle toujou wè ou toujou ap viv nan bezwen

How come a girl never wants to see another woman have a successful relationship
She wants to see you needy

Excuse me, Dat7 boys, but surely this isn’t your business. This is a matter for the sisterhood to discuss privately. Yes, there are some, er, issues within some members of the sisterhood. But, we’ll wash the sisterhood’s laundry in our own washers. We don’t need ya’ll to point it out to us. [Whispering in the ears of the sisterhood] Ladies, we have to get our acts together, okay? Now, we have Dat7 squawking our business in their lyrics. Ladies, we have to do better.

Verdict: Your honor, objection, based on the mere fact that the sisterhood’s issues do not concern Dat7.

Tribunal Lanmou

I really like the concept of this song, “Tribunal Lanmou”—the whole idea of a court system where people are judged based on crimes they’ve committed against a relationship, and against love. Senseless and heartless players would finally get their comeuppance. Those who love passionately and genuinely would cease to suffer at the hands of their less-than-noble companions. Sounds good to me!

“Tribunal Lanmou” can be viewed as the companion song for another song on the album entitled “Se Konsa”. Everyone who fails to adhere to the “Se Konsa” principles and statutes will be subpoenaed to “Tribunal Lanmou”. Even if they were to get Gloria Alred as their attorney, they won’t be able to escape the final verdict.

Verdict: Your honor, I’d like to recommend that all participants—that is to say the defendants, not the plaintiffs—in “Tribunal Lanmou” be given 120 hours of mediation, coupled with counseling by a high-performing specialist, after which they can attend a therapy session to sort out their problems. Wait, the plaintiffs should also be treated accordingly. It’s not all the times that defendants are in the right.

No Need to be Fancy

Thought this was going to be a relationship song, but it’s about camaderie and challenges of the brotherhood in a band.

Verdict: Yes, there is the need to be fancy.

Je Veux M’enVoler

This song right here…this song right here, and that’s all I’ll say about it. No, I need to say more. This song is delivered so beautifully. Would have been nice for it to have been recorded in Creole. You know when all the elements of a song from vocals to arrangements and delivery are well-done…well, this track is a great example of that.

Verdict: Your honor, do you think this song could be played in the courthouse whenever divorce court cases are being argued Bet it’ll make both plaintiffs and defendants think about the time they first fell in love. And the Clerk of Courts will have to file less divorces. What do you say to that, your honor?

Jwe Wòl Ou

The philosophy behind this song is rather faulty. The whole idea is that if only we play “our roles”, and we do “our duties”, all will go well. Are you sure about that Mr. Amazan and Mr. Duret? What’s that maxim? The one about how it doesn’t matter how good a relationship is, someone who’s a heel and a douche bag will find a way to violate the rules, whether it’s taking part in infidelity, or verbal and/or physical abuse. And what’s the reverse of that maxim? That it matters not how bad and destructive a relationship is, a person who’s in love will find a reason to stay in it.

“Jwe Wòl Ou” tries to explain away why men stray.

We’re like little babies
Where the attention is, that’s where we going to play ball

Wow, interesting take on the male psyche, Dat7. The thing about “Jwe Wòl Ou” is that it places all the responsibilities at the woman’s door for everything…even if it professes to be addressing “Madan Marye” and “Mesye Marye”.

Verdict: Great job on the track’s vocal and musical arrangement by James Monplaisir and Olivier Duret. Please with that “Jwe Wòl Ou” mess. Why? Because in Tribunal Lamou, there’s no need to be fancy, okay? You’re responsible for your own Depozit okay? Experience has shown “Saw Tap Fe” will depend on your moral values. Pafwa se pa nou menm ki vle non/Sometimes it’s not us who wanna. Negroes, please. Yeah, it’s you, and it’s because you want to. Cheaters and philanderers! Ugh! The song tries to play things Both Ways…on one hand, it’s trying to excuse philanderers, and on the other hand, it’s also trying to dictate the “Se Konsa” principles. So contradictory!

Thus far, the verdict on Verdict is that…well…they’re tackling a lot of heavy subjects and topics. This Ricot Amazan person, who writes or nearly co-writes the majority of the songs on Verdict is quite a piece of work…Scramble the letters around in his name a little bit, and you get Rico Amazon…as in rich amazon…this dude has quite a lot of things going on mentally…looks like. Are all these songs based on his personal experiences? How old is this guy to have gone through all these things? Overactive creative imagination? Or perhaps, he hangs around under people’s beds, and on roof tops, and eavesdrops on people’s conversations and then runs home to write his songs? Goodness only knows.

But what of the second half album…what does it hold for us? The answer…next time.

This concludes Part 1 of the review of Dat7’s Verdict. Stay tuned for Part 2.

Meanwhile…

Buy some DAT7 for your Haitian music collection…
CLICK HERE TO BUY DAT7’S VERDICT ON AMAZON| BUY DAT7’S VERDICT ON CDBABY FOLLOW DAT7 ON FACEBOOK| FOLLOW DAT7 ON TWITTER | FOLLOW DAT7 ON INSTAGRAM |CLICK HERE TO VISIT DAT7’S WEBSITE

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Kreyolicious Music…in which…in which I review a record by a band, group or artist. This time around, I am going to be exploring the second half of…(CLICK HERE if you missed PART 1 of the review.)

Album: Verdict
Group/Artist: Dat7
Musicians: Lead vocalist: Olivier Duret. Congas and Maestro: Ricot Amazan. Eddy Viau: Percussions. Vladimir Alexis: Drums. Michael Keyboards: Michael Junior Bellevue. Bass: Ramenshy Fausin. Guitar: Telusma Morizio.

Guest Musicians: Nickenson Prudhome, Gerald Kebreau, Harold St. Louis, Ralph Menelas, Sanders Solon, Rivenson Louissaint, James Monplaisir, Valery Lezin, Jeff Medelus, Dukens Pierre-Louis, Alain Fleurine, Duval Hummer, Guy Brisse, Jude Severe, Michael Benjamin, Jean Levelt Vital, Fantom Barikad.

Depozit
Motivational in nature, this track inculcates that we will only get what we put in, in life. And if we put in nothing, we shall reap nothing.

Verdict: Your honor, this song ought to be played for the participants in the juvenile delinquency program. Needless to say, it’ll give some incentive to our youths to excel and to persevere.

Experience
There’s nothing like hard-earned life lessons. Throughout the verses of “Experience”, one thing is emphasized over and over, sometimes directly, and sometimes indirectly: some experiences are overly disagreeable, but we’re better off having them.

Verdict: A song about working hard to get desired results and perseverance is always welcomed.

Both Ways
What to make of this song? It’s daring for one thing, especially for that genre. A man finds himself in a predicament. He loves a woman, who loves him, but loves other women too.

Verdict: Well, this song is definitely…different.

Se Konsa
Oh, that song again. How nice. It warrants listens after listens. “Se Konsa” preaches without coming across as self-righteous, and it proposes fundamentals for stable, nourishing love without being patronizing.

Verdict: Your honor, I wish to recommend that this song be played as part of every case seen by this court, pertaining to domestic violence. Some men just weren’t taught how to treat a woman, and “Se Konsa” can be their tutorial. Better late, than never.

Danre Ra
I could listen to soft, romantic jams like “Danre Ra” all day, hours at a time. I’ve written about this song before on the site, and the lyrics haven’t lost one ounce of their original impact. The melody by Guy Brisse and Ricot Amazan mesh well with the lyrics about love—true love’s ability to circumvent obstacles thrown in its way—whether palisades thrown in the form of disapproving friends, personal issues faced by a couple in the form of tides, and storms that come in the shape of distance .

Verdict: Your honor, after hearing eleven pieces of evidence brought out by the defendant Dat7, I the sole jury member in this case, hereby find them guilty of releasing an album that touches on a sensitive subject (“Both Ways”), and features romantic ballads that go beyond the “I-love-you, I-love-you-so-much” template (“Tribunal Lanmou”, “Danre Ra”). With the court’s approval, I hereby recommend that “Je M’envoler”, “Tribunal Lanmou”, “Jwe Wòl Ou” be given video treatments immediately. I further state that “Why” be given the same consideration.
Next case!

Buy some DAT7 for your Haitian music collection…
CLICK HERE TO BUY DAT7’S VERDICT ON AMAZON| CLICK HERE TO BUY DAT7’S VERDICT ON CDBABY FOLLOW DAT7 ON FACEBOOK| FOLLOW DAT7 ON TWITTER | FOLLOW DAT7 ON INSTAGRAM |CLICK HERE TO VISIT DAT7’S WEBSITE

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We’re Back Stronger Than Eva is the title of Haitian band T-Vice’s latest album.

One of the album’s grooviest is the “Se Pa Sa” (That Ain’t It), featuring singer-songwriter JPerry. This song sound soooo unlike anything on the album. It’s a party song, and not the type of party that has a dozen people or anything, but a multi-city block party that starts in a small neighborhood and grows. And grows…until the entire world’s population joins in. “Voye Monte”, the second of the album’s three collaborations and featuring singer-rapper PJay, commands attention from its first notes. It’s like this song comes accompanied with some extra fire.

T-Vice is all about having a good time, but there are emotional moments such as on the song “Moving On”. A relationship comes tumbling, a child is involved, and three lives are infinitely altered. “Moving On” divulges a torn man’s innermost feelings. The track is about a man’s hurt that’s pummeling him to shreds, and the irreversible pain that comes with a life change as major as a devastating divorce. For all the sorrow conveyed in “Moving On”, at its core is resignation and acceptance.

I liked “Eske” (Will You?) as a companion song to “Moving On”. “Eske” is about picking up the pieces after the terrible emotional loss conveyed in “Moving On”. “Eske” asks opportune questions, “Can one’s heart be put at risk? Is it worth it to dip in again in this thing called love?”—especially when one estimates that previous damage hasn’t quite yet been satisfactorily mitigated. There are some really ingenious guitar work from guitarist Berto on this track.

“Konfli” maneuvers Nou Tounen Pi Fò from love to social problems. Call it the album’s Haiti song. T-Vice calls for unity, progression, and for an end to ratchetness. “Ou Ou Poko Flannè” (You’re Not A Player Yet) competes with “Se Pa Sa” in terms of being the album’s most dance-friendly track. It’s not as boisterous though. “Se Pa Sa” has this roots/world music sound to it that “Ou Poko Flannè” lacks. But on the other hand, there’s this mellifluousness in “Ou Poko Flannè” that “Se Pa Sa” shuns.

“This Time 4 Real” is about a man who’s declaring his forever love to a woman. Does this mean the scars mentioned in “Eske” have fully been operated on? And, should it be understood that at this point the “Moving On” process has come full circle? “This Time 4 Real” casts aside fears and welcomes new beginnings in the love arena. But those same fears and insecurities are revived in “J’en Ai Marre” (I’m Fed Up), a track with 5Lan. The narrator has a laundry list of complaints against his pressure-imposing, insecure, jealousy-and-resentment-prone girlfriend. She’s constantly having things whispered in her ears, and she’s quick to believe them all.

This band has two lead singers and they both bring their own flavor to Nou Tounen Pi Fò, and T-Vice seems to know how to bring the best out of the both of them. In the song “Ou Renmen Sa”, for instance, the candy-coated voice of singer Regi will bring a smile to the lips of the most callous-hearted woman. The same can be said of the sweet ballad “Eske”. On songs like “Se Pa Sa”, “Voye Monte”, “”J’en Ai Marre” co-lead singer Roberto Martino will impel the biggest kored, the biggest party-pooper, to the dance floor.

CLICK HERE to read more about this band! CLICK HERE to follow this band on Instagram and see when they’re playing near you!| CLICK HERE to buy the T’Vice album! Let’s show support to these Haitian bands and artists. Hurray!

Album: Harmonik Degaje
Label: Harmony Records/Hamler Noel

Welcome to the newest edition of Kreyolicious Music…in which…in which I review a release by a Haitian band, artist or group. Today’s edition is Degaje from the brand Harmonik. So just to make things fun, I decided to play the songs out of their intended sequence. First off was “Incroyable”.

“Incroyable” is the French word for “unbelievable”, and that song certainly lives up to its title. What a very, very lovely ballad. The track centers on a chick who’s so hot, she has the power to make men see with their ears. Say, what? Chick is bad. She gives men abilities they never knew they had. Can I go ahead and say it’s the best song on Degaje? Let me listen some more.

So “Pap Negosye’w” (You’re Non-Negotiable) rings like a stalker song. “Men Bon An”, featuring Mikaben, is like the spice you add to your punch to give it a little kick. It’s the rowdy track among a string of tame ballads.

I knew I was going to like “Fè Mwen Konfyans” (Trust Me On This) the minute I listened to the first notes. A wedding proposal in a song! Oh, goodie. My overthinking self couldn’t help but visualize a father-daughter dance at a Haiti-themed wedding in Boston somewhere. And the lyrics are gold. A guy approaches the pops of the woman he loves. His fingers and hands shake like feathers in a tropical storm wind…He assures her that she’ll be in good hands. Just in case that pop has any doubts, the narrator paints a vivid picture. He already see himself on the bridal carpet at the church, slipping the bridal ring on her finger, and baby is already on board too! I think we need more songs like these—you know where the guy assumes a positive attitude towards marriage and forever love. Too often marriage is portrayed as some sort of trap or dungeon for men in pop songs, and as something that women desperately want, but that men seem to be averse to. Glad to know that in the world of Haitian pop, marriage is portrayed (at least in this Harmonik song) as inevitable for a man who’s genuinely in love. Great vocal work by singer Sanders.

If “Fè Mwen Konfyans” conveys the apogee of relationship bliss, “Imparfait” (Far From Perfect) outlines relationship psychology. When a relationship hits rough patches, the song preaches, the blame should be laid at the door of both the man and the woman. So “Imparfait” gives “Incroyable” major competition in terms of smoothness. I think most people will readily identify with “Imparfait” because it expresses that most relationships go through moments of your-fault-not-my-fault. The band’s fans will probably turn to both songs at different times, and depending where they personally are in their relationships…”Incroyable” when things are going very smoothly, and “Imparfait” when trying moments roll in. “Imparfait” speaks of moments when things are so bad that being “dekouraje” (feeling some type of way) is inevitable, and demisyone (throwing in the towel) manifests as a viable option. Co-lead singer MacD’s voice on this track is tops. It almost reminds me of another song by this band “Mwen Bouke” (I’ve Had It Up To Here), but not quite. In “Mwen Bouke”, there was a lot more agony expressed. In “Imparfait” there is resignation about heartbreak and acceptance about relationship failure. In “Mwen Bouke”, however, there was a willingness to rebuild. By the way, about the hook on “Imparfait”…very nicely done.

This concludes PART ONE of the Harmonik Degaje album review. Watch out for PART TWO!

CLICK HERE to purchase Harmonik Degaje from on Amazon | CLICK HERE to buy Harmonik Degaje on CDBABY| Remember to leave this band and other Haitian bands four stars or better on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby, as many music lovers and music enthusiasts looking to buy/try new music, look at these reviews before buying decisions!

Welcome to another episode of Kreyolicious Music…in which I review Haitian Music. Yay! Today, we’re going to be covering the Harmonik Degaje album. If you missed PART ONE of the review, CLICK HERE!

So, le’s move on to other songs…

Is “Simplicité” a female version of the band’s song “Diferan”? In the song “Diferan”, the guy was the “simple” one…in “Simplicité (Simplicity), the song is about a plain-Ti Marie-type of girl that’s caught the eye of the narrator. Her modesty is very attractive to him. He doesn’t exactly pin her down as an ugly duckling, but she definitely attracts him in a non-traditional way. The lyrics of this song are “simple”, as the arrangements and hook on “Incroyable” are incredible.

So, while I was listening to Degaje, it switched over to a new song. For the first two seconds I thought, “Man, what’s this song? It’s going to beat “Incroyable”, only to switch the windows and see that it was just “Incroyable” playing again!

I wonder if “Imparfait” and “Enpotans” were written at the same time? They certainly are of the same theme. The first distinction that I could make out is that “Imparfait” is looking back at a failed romance. In “Enpotans”, the relationship in question is still in progress, and can be salvaged. Yes, there’s still hope of saving it, if only it’s recognized (in time) that not enpotans is being given to the wounded party in the relationship.

Great job all around on this album from the vocal work to the arrangements, to the poetry-filled lyrics. First off, there’s a lot of proposal songs out there, but how novel to have the dad being addressed, as opposed to the bride. And how sweet of this would-be groom to pay respect to pops! One imagines that he’s not only going to be a worthy husband, but also a great son-in-law, the type who’ll take his papi-in-law to doctors’ visits and Medicare appointments during his senior citizen years. Very mature material on this album.

This concludes PART TWO of the review of Harmonik Degaje. CLICK HERE to read PART ONE.

CLICK HERE to purchase the Harmonik Degaje album from on Amazon | CLICK HERE to buy the Harmonik Degaje album on CDBABY| Remember to leave this band and other Haitian bands four stars or better on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby, as many music lovers and music enthusiasts looking to buy/try new music, look at these reviews before buying decisions!