We have no right to expect exuberant joyful sounds from Haiti, and the recent history of that poor benighted country would suggest a blues of a very dark hue.
However, the multi-generational collective of Lakou Mizik draw on Haiti’s rich musical history to make a powerful optimistic statement: “Wa di yo, nou la toujou” – “You tell them, we’re still Here”.
Zach Niles, who produced the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, is at the helm of another stirring adversity tale.
This is dance-party music with propulsive rhythm section, muscular call-and-response vocals, driving accordion, guitar, and even the rara carnival one-note horns.
Much of the material is traditional, and demonstrates the interlocking influences of Africa, France, the US and the Caribbean in Haiti’s musical map. Onwards and upwards!
