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Geng to much for Konpa
Kreyol to handle?
November 2004 Konpa Kreyol released an album which I think will
be remembered for long not only because of their sad breakup but
also because of some unbelievable tracks on this album.
1. Gen gen geng: A major hits on this album (also album title),
this song came out during the summer of 2004 and it was already
one of the most popular songs played at party’s balls etc. This is a
new style for Konpa Kreyol because this song is really different
from what we knew. The melody is good the lyrics are catchy and
David is the major attention on this track because of many solos
from time to time while Loulou did not really do much.
2. Deye lakay: A very funny story about a guy being caught by
his girlfriend’s dad in the backyard while getting busy. He’s
explaining how he didn’t get to finish because daddy showed up
etc. Once again very good melody and lyrics. This track is slow-
paced and David is the one putting all the extra solos in the songs
and Loulou was accompanying him passively most of the time.
3. Destin: Written by Stanley Herisse, this one of my personal
favorites on this album. When it starts, it sounds like the old
school konpa, the Scorpio DP type, but changes in the middle.
The touchy lyrics are so well-written that it gives the impression
this is a true story. What he’s talking about basically are the rules
of life and how you have to respect them. David again does the
majority of the solos, only at the end you hear Loulou’s guitar
smoothly playing under David’s solo.
4. Telegramme: The story is really nice so is the melody but its
like there is something missing to make the song complete or
perfect. Otherwise, it should bring itself towards the top of the
chart slowly.
5. Tou nouvo tou bo: Mezanmiiiiiii gadon mizik definitely one
of the most beautiful songs Konpa Kreyol ever made. The song
has everything li pa manke anyen. Incredible text and melody with
some excellent breaks. Solo menm se pa pale Loulou kills us with a
solo in the beginning and David does the usual throughout the
whole song (solo tight anpill) He evens puts a Latino groove in the
middle of it.
6. Out. Considered as a “polemic” type of song (like gen gen
geng) Ti Joe is talking about all the hypocrisy in the HMI and
other problems in it. This is where you really hear Loulou doing
what he does best with a very nice solo. An ever-growing trend in
Konpa is the addition of a rap session in between, here performed
by Sebastien Ambroise, freestyling with the beat. On that song
also David has a few nice keyboard notes.
7. Poukisa: is based on a true story according to David who
wrote it. It’s about a little boy who accidentally killed himself with
a gun that was left on sight by his parents. This song is really sad
when you take your time to listen to the words and especially
because it’s a true story. Despite of it’s sadness, it’s a very nice
song and the chorus was excellent.
8. Pa et Ma: Another funny song and subject brought up by
Konpa Kreyol. After Li pa vini, Konpa Kreyol brings us “Pa et ma.”
Despite of the fact that it’s considered as a taboo subject in our
society, Konpa Kreyol had the courage to make a song on it and
did an excellent job. Masturbation (as they are talking about it in
the song) is a natural and normal aspect of life that every guy and
gals go through and should not be ashamed of. Loulou’s licks were
perfect, so were David’s grooves.
9. Sansasyon Lanmou: mezanmi this song “chapo ba”. I can’t
find the words to properly describe this sleeper song. Once again
congrats to Stanley for this interesting test. That song also has a
little freestyle part that’s very nice. In the middle Loulou has a
solo linked to a break that is very nice. But what kills this song is
David’s solo to it: OH MY GOOODDD gadon solo. This song is
just crazy with that solo watch out for Sansasyon Lanmou.
10. Sesame: another big hit on this album. Sequences of this
song used to be played at parties before it came out. Personally I
enjoyed them better than the studio recorded ones and expected
a lot more from this song. The good thing about it is that the
solos are really tight and catchy (both Loulou’s and David’s)
Overall I can say that sesame is not quite what I expected but it’s
good.
11. Sove mwen: another taboo subject entertained by Konpa
Kreyol on this album. This is the story of a man catching HIV by
having unprotected sex only once. The purpose of this song is
mostly to increase awareness with regards to the risks associated
with unprotected intercourse. At some point this song is really
sad and makes you think a lot about things that are happening
everyday. Despite of that, the nice solo from David and classical
guitar played in the beginning and end of this song add to make
this track a well-rounded one.
Personally I think this album was worth waiting almost 3
years. Ti Joe’s voice improved a lot (not that it was bad but) as he
made a lot of efforts to make it better. You can also feel a
difference in David as he became more aggressive and his solos
were catchy and well worked on. Overall unfortunately the band
broke up after such a masterpiece. Will Kreyol La or David’s
upcoming group give us a taste of what these songs would sound
like in a live setting?
Vlad