This is how Gifrants, one of the most important Haitian musician of the past decades, describes the « Natif » music he creates and plays for almost thirty years with his label Gaeta Records :
�« Only one word can sum up the essence of my musical odyssey: Natif. Indeed Natif epitomizes the beginning and end of the circular journey I have undertaken in my musical career. Born in the heart of the Haitian peasantry, my earliest exposure was however to the music of Gilbert Bécaud and other French artists that monopolized the Haitian airwaves. The influence of Brazilian music in “Bossa Valentine”, the song that brought me the first prize at the First Haitian National Contest for Valentine’s Day shows some of the similarities between Brazilian and Haitian music (…) Furthermore, the use of an electronic drum kit, as well of synthetizers showed our profound desire to introduce new sounds in Haitian Roots music. From playing soft voodoo Jazz and Haitian folk music, we put the emphasis back on chords and progressions still looking for a new conceptualization of a modern Haitian music.
« Rara-Mwe », released in 1991, embodies the unique admixture of Gifrants haitian music roots from peasantry to urban dance music, and the influences of brazilian rhythms, jazz and disco. With this edit, Psycho Tropiques aims at celebrating this deeply rooted, but still hybrid piece of joy through the tools of electronic dance music
supported by 17 fans who also own “Rara-Mwe (Psycho Tropiques edit)”
Just like Alice in Wonderland, you go off the beaten track only to transcend into a different world and discover treasure. This hidden gem is true artistry! mhg_ntombela
Moody electronic music that explores the idea of identity, the latest LP from viñu-vinu is a stark and beautiful work. Bandcamp New & Notable May 3, 2021