Customer Reviews

8th Sacrement

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After 25 years of dancing to this album I still think it is the best around. It never fails to get everyone off their chairs. I first heard it during Carnaval in Eindhoven (the Netherlands) and I am sure it can be heard all over the world, wherever people want to have a party. There is one love song on side two that you can use to catch your breath, but every other song on the album is guaranteed to keep you moving, jumping, shaking, shouting, and then some.

"8th Sacrament" is a Compas classic. While the album proudly hangs 1974 on its sleeve, the vintage production will always sound great. This was a fantastic and all too brief time period for the group in light of how they assimilated the international influences du jour. James Brown style funk and main land psychedelia is well infused into this live set. The long jams, psychedelic guitar and hypnotic Compas snare rhythm creates a trance for the listener. In this deep trance, it is almost impossible to stay seated. This music comes with an unspoken ultimatum: get up and dance! The breaks are hot and the polyrhythms cook. The songs are catchy and the music is accessible. The audience is heard yelling in joy at the climaxes. Following the smokin' title track and 'Pace Domine,' 'Come Back My Love' offers a relaxed breather from the Carnival bliss. Spoken in English, 'Come Back My Love' is a soul ballad with a crooner swagger. 'Respect > Zapaton' is one of the album's highlights with its mind-expanding guitar work, Haitian rhythms, funky bass and sweet keyboards. These guys are brilliant at taking a musical groove and slowing it down to eventually snap it back to life and throw in dozens of exciting breaks when least expected. 'New York,' 'Courai,' and 'Education' repeat this formula with the same high energy. Tabou Combo's best albums were their earliest, predating syths and the assimilation of pop music. "8th Sacrement" (also released as "New York City") stands along "Respect" and "A La Canne à Sucre" as the heavy weights. I have to imagine that even if you're not that into Haitian music, "8th Sacrement" has enough cross over elements to appeal. Take your "8th Sacrament" but read the warning on the side label: "May cause tired legs after hours of jubilant dancing!"