Description
Strut presents HAITI DIRECT, the first in-depth exploration of the vibrant and varied colours of Haiti’s music from the early ‘60s to the late ‘70s. HAITI DIRECT celebrates the overlooked musical legacy of Haiti, going beyond Ra-ra and voodoo stereotypes to trace the development of a unique sound that echoed across the Caribbean. At the dawn of the ’60s, as Jamaica twisted American R’n’B into ska and reggae and musicians from Cuba and Puerto Rico codified the sound of Salsa, Haiti gave birth to Compas Direct. an updating of the traditional Meringue rhythm, adapted with a new swing and complex arrangements. The driving sound and irresistible beat of Compas swiftly dominated the French-speaking Caribbean as well as taking root in the urban centres of New York, Paris, Montreal and Miami.
