Customer Reviews

Cordes Et Ame

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Haiti's leading female singer and songwriter, Emeline Michel, has released her long-awaited, blockbuster 6th album Cordes Et Ame ("Strings & Soul), a 14-track song-cycle centered around the themes of love and perseverance. The CD features the sound of voice, drum & acoustic guitar, bathed in the various musical traditions (compa, troubadour, etc.) of Haiti, and spiced with Emeline's signature touches of jazz and world music.

Cordes Et Ame is Emeline's second CD wearing the multiple hats of singer, songwriter and producer.As befits a CD entitled Cordes Et Ame (Strings and Soul), there are plenty of "cordes" on the album - most notably the world-class guitarists Philippe Augustin, Makarios Cesaire, Vladimir "Jimmy" Jean-Felix (ex-Boukan Guinen) and Christian Louiset from Martinique. The songwriters Beethova Obas and Hansy Peters also contribute both songs and guitar, while Yves-Abel (ex-Tabou Combo) plays bass.

Rounding out the string section are a couple of top New York jazz musicians, violinist Gwen Laster (featured on Pè Letènèl) and cellist Rufus Cappadocia. The song Fo m Ale ("Gotta Go") features the rustic banjo/guitar/percussion sound of traditional Haitian troubadour group Union des Antilles.

The rhythms are provided by Haitian master hand drummers Serge Decius and Serge La Guerre, along with top Martiniquan percussionist/songwriter Jericho Bourra, and New York-based Haitian jazz drummer Gashford Guillaume.

Assisting on vocals are two singers who are recording stars in their own right, Paris-based Haitian vocal phenomenon James Germain and Vivianne Rangon from Martinique. A rising young American pop/R&B singer, Chinua Hawk, shares a English/French duet with Emeline on the ballad Shane. On keyboards are the premier New York-based Haitian players Welmyr Jean-Pierre and Philippe Pierre (borrowed from his regular job with American pop-star Mariah Carey), and French pianist/arranger Frederic Las Fargeas.

For more go to her site. While her full-service web site (www.Emelinemichel.com) is under construction, check http://emelinemichel.homestead.com/Home.html.

"This is the definitive Haitian "World Beat" album...On top of a strong `racine' [roots] bed....are layers of zouk, beguine, Cuba, Latin America and Brazil...the vocal range and intonation emit a sensual warmth suggestive of the `whiskey' tinged `velvet fog' quality attributed to Mel Torme along with a discernable touch of Edith Piaf." The Haitian Times June 26/July 4, 2000

"Cordes et Âme by the reigning queen of Haitian song...marks a return to roots...almost angelic in its beauty". Beat Magazine Vol.19#3 2000

"Gorgeous new Emeline Michel CD is worth the search...she layers piano, percussion instruments such as congas, bongos and maracas, and violin, but they don't clash. Instead she leaves welcome space to breath...Michel's songs merge native Haitian compas and rara with jazz, pop, bossa nova and samba elements and her production is near flawless." Miami Herald July 21, 2000

"every minute of [Cordes et Ame] ... was worth the wait... a wonderful combination of [Emeline's] soothing, but powerful, nuanced and accurate voice grafted on traditional instruments like the conga, the maraca, the banjo.... You derive equal pleasure whether listening or dancing to the tunes...a relaxing, thoughtful, and lyrical album, which makes you reminisce." Windows on Haiti June 2000

I have been looking a long time for this album. I am enjoying it. Thank you.

This album is beatiful. Emeline Michel has a great voice and she is a great singer.

I recommend this album to anyone who is interested in international music.