Rhythms of Rapture: Sacred Musics of Haitian Vodou

Amazon.com
When someone is struck with a truly great notion, like this record's concept, you feel grateful, and at the same time you wonder why no one thought of it before. This disc is clearly made from a near-sacred mission to redeem Haiti and its vodou culture. During slavery days, Jacob Boukman, who was shipped from Jamaica to Haiti, created vodou out of the elements common to the slaves' various tribal origins. Vodou's potpourri of spirit, rhythm, and melody is, indeed, every bit as rapturous as its ideal of human community. Lolo Beabrun, lead singer of Boukman Eksperyans (who turn in two tracks here) has said that so many vodou rhythms are played in tiny villages secreted in Haiti's mountainous interior that they are unknown to outsiders, and they are indistinguishable from their African origins. Rapture covers this infinite world of Haitian-African rhythm, ranging from the determinedly rootsy to those who take vodou drumming as a base and cut loose, making free with elements of jazz, rock, reggae, and Latin music. Fans will recognize names like Boukman and Rara Machine, but they are by no means the only standouts. "Simbi Dlo," by Frisner Augustin and La Troupe, is just one of many luminous tracks by lesser-known artists in a collection that is clearly guided by spirit. An added reason to buy this CD: a portion of the profits goes to Haitian grassroots community projects. --Elena Oumano

Product Description
Features recent innovations and traditional roots of this potent music. Cuts from live Vodou ceremonies are juxtaposed with performances by well-known Haitian artists, such as Boukman Experyans, RaRa Machine, Boukan Ginen and RAM. A cascade of sounds—Haitian Kreyol, the blowing of a conch shell, powerful drumming, electric guitar, synthesizers, sounds of clay pots, bells, and gourd rattles—build compelling rhythmic cross-currents. Enclosed notes examine the music’s political and spiritual base. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of this recording go to benefit Haitian grassroots community projects. 20 tracks. "The music has an indomitable spirit." –New York Times

Tracks:

Bade - Rara Machine
Azouke Legba - Vodou Le
Bosou Djo Eya - Port-Au-Prince Mayi
Pale-m Mal - Ram
Legba Plante 'I Poto/Papa Loko Di Yo Sa - Master Drummer Coyote
Vye Gran O - Port-Au-Prince Zepol
Simbi Dlo - Frisner Augustin And La Troupe Makandal
Guantanamo Rara Song - Cite Soleil Rara Inorab Kapab
Konbit Zaka - Boukman Eksperyans
Laserenal - Premye Nimewo Group
Kadja Kadja Nou Tande - Souvenans Grennedye
Tande - Boukan Ginen
Sen Franswa Di Priye Dye Fo - Cape Haitian
Chwal Sen Jak Mare Nan Potoborde - Micheline Forestal, Bois La
Ogou O Wa De Zanj - Mimerose Beaubrun
Pie Aleman Batala Lemiso - Nago Song From Lakou Badjo
Gangan Move Tet O - Racine Mapou De Azor
Brave Guede Banda - Wawa And His Group
Rara/Bizango - Artibonite/Archaie
Djab-La Fouye Twou-Li - Doudli's Sister

Amazon.com

When someone is struck with a truly great notion, like this record's concept, you feel grateful, and at the same time you wonder why no one thought of it before. This disc is clearly made from a near-sacred mission to redeem Haiti and its vodou culture. During slavery days, Jacob Boukman, who was shipped from Jamaica to Haiti, created vodou out of the elements common to the slaves' various tribal origins. Vodou's potpourri of spirit, rhythm, and melody is, indeed, every bit as rapturous as its ideal of human community. Lolo Beabrun, lead singer of Boukman Eksperyans (who turn in two tracks here) has said that so many vodou rhythms are played in tiny villages secreted in Haiti's mountainous interior that they are unknown to outsiders, and they are indistinguishable from their African origins. Rapture covers this infinite world of Haitian-African rhythm, ranging from the determinedly rootsy to those who take vodou drumming as a base and cut loose, making free with elements of jazz, rock, reggae, and Latin music. Fans will recognize names like Boukman and Rara Machine, but they are by no means the only standouts. "Simbi Dlo," by Frisner Augustin and La Troupe, is just one of many luminous tracks by lesser-known artists in a collection that is clearly guided by spirit. An added reason to buy this CD: a portion of the profits goes to Haitian grassroots community projects. --Elena Oumano

Album Description

Features recent innovations and traditional roots of this potent music. Cuts from live Vodou ceremonies are juxtaposed with performances by well-known Haitian artists, such as Boukman Experyans, RaRa Machine, Boukan Ginen and RAM. A cascade of sounds—Haitian Kreyol, the blowing of a conch shell, powerful drumming, electric guitar, synthesizers, sounds of clay pots, bells, and gourd rattles—build compelling rhythmic cross-currents. Enclosed notes examine the music's political and spiritual base. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of this recording go to benefit Haitian grassroots community projects. 20 tracks. "The music has an indomitable spirit." -New York Times

Customer Reviews:

Varied and Beautiful.......2000-07-15

This set of songs, collected by an ethnomusicologist, is simply fantastic. You get exposure to a wide range of styles, from polished studio recordings to field recordings. The fact that the woman who collected these is an ethnomusicologist adds value, as the liner notes are very informative, and this set gives us a feeling for the range of musical contexts as well as styles in Haitian music. For lovers of Caribbean music in general, this disc is worth your time.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

From Us Unto You: The Complete Singles [Original recording remastered]

Vivace! Baroque Classics

Van Cliburn Competition 1973

Hypnotica

Tribal Mix, Vol. 3 [Import]

White Lilies Island

Wenn Schon Nicht Für Immer Dann Wenigstens Für Ewig

Www.Com (Wicket World Wide)

Wave

Vito-Delvaux: Chamber and Piano Music

Warts 'n' Audience [Import] [Live] [Original recording remastered]

Very Best of Alabina [Import]

Ultra Low Frequency

Recital Works-Mark Sparks

The Modern Jazz Sextet