BOUKMAN EKSPERYANS
Live At Red Rocks (Tuff Gong)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Boukman Eksperyans, named after the leader of the 19th century slave revolt that overthrew the French and made Haiti the first black republic in the world, created their Vodou Rhythms sound in the 1980s by combining rock, reggae, jazz and soukous with traditional sounds associated with Vodou, a variant of the Yorban religion which orginated during the African diaspora.

This set, recorded at the famous Red Rocks amphitheatre in Colorado in 1988, captures the emotional, celebratory spirit of a Boukman Eksperyans concert. The songs are devoted to invocations of spirits both familiar and exotic, with a strong strand of Haitian nationalism and a revolutionary spirit. The combination of emotionally charged material and one of the most naturally inspirational venues in the US resulted in something truly special, and this is an ideal introduction to this powerful and unique sound.

If, by chance, you've already been introduced, either by one of their previous releases or one of their explosive shows, well, you know what I mean. If you haven't been, and you have an interest in Caribbean music, or world sounds generally, you're in for a real treat. The translated lyrics included with the CD will give you a lot to think about if you choose to. First, though, let them wrap you up in their toe tapping, head bopping, butt shaking waves of sound. It's time to get Eksperyansed.

Track List:

Mesaj A Ginen * Mariaj A Zaka * Sa'm Pedi Pou Sa * Gran Bwa He * Nou Pa Vle Lage * Zanset Nou Yo * Jou Mou Revolte * Baron * Mandingue Drumming * Tipa Tipa * Imamou Lele * Pawal Tafia

© 1999 - Shaun Dale