Sak Pase

Bigga Haitian | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Walkup Records
• ASIN: B0031XA2L0
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,123 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Am A Haitian

2. My Doorbell (feat. Craig Dreyer)

3. Empress

4. London Massive (feat. Yvad)

5. Gi Me Da Weed

6. Load the Chalice (feat. Mecca aka Grimo, Bam & Jimmy Two)

7. Haiti A Weh Mi From

8. My Doorbell (Mike "Angel" McLaughlin guitar mix)

9. I Am A Haitian (Instrumental) (feat. Jerry Johnson)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Eclectic reggae and hip-hop sounds from Bigga Haitian

Bigga Haitian (born Charles Dorismond in Port au Prince, Haiti) moved to New York aged 8, and on that journey brought with him a rich musical heritage, including the influence of his father who was one of the pioneers of a specifically Haitian dance music known as Kompa. Growing up with the rhythms of Haiti and the influences of Jamaica and the United States, Bigga has built up an impressive track record of performing for over 20 years at the crossover between reggae and hip hop. Sak Pase, his third album, was recorded between 2006 and 2009 and it is no surprise that the numerous influences can be heard throughout.

The album opens with "I Am a Haitian," a strong and slow song with mainly acoustic instrumentation and an effective vocal arrangement. This is followed by a version of "My Doorbell" by the White Stripes, an initially surprising song to find here, though on balance it works with its upbeat feel and crisp production. "Empress" is an inspiring reggae tune, delivered powerfully, with a strong instrumental fade out in the style of a song that should have been played for years, a standout track. Then it's into "London Massive," classic reggae style featuring Yvad, recent vocalist with the Wailers. The single release "Gi Me Da Weed" is included here too - Bigga's ganja anthem - while "Load the Chalice," with a number of guest vocalists, draws from both dancehall and hip hop in quite a potent mix. And as if one version were not enough - the album includes a further take on "My Doorbell," this time with an additional guitar solo but otherwise not strikingly different.

"Haiti Weh Mi From," probably Bigga Haitian's best-known song, is also included here in a newly remastered version. Recorded in 1983, its ragga dancehall feel is definitely of its time but there is still a vitality in the way it sounds today. The other tracks on the album were all recorded in New York, with Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence featuring prominently in the mixing, mastering, engineering and production credits and also listed as writers of the music for two of the tracks. The music here is eclectic and committed. It would be interesting to hear more of it next time as there is history and depth in these songs. --United Reggae

Released to widespread acclaim throughout the reggae music arena, the ultra superb works collected together form Sak Pasé, the album by Walkup Records signing Bigga Haitian. We at Springline feel this album with all its diversity and wonderfully played instrumentation deserves its place in being hailed as one of the best releases so far this season.

Featuring guest musicians and produced respectively by the very gifted Marc Lawrence and Brett Smith (Walkup Records founders) this album is simply superb, covering different reggae genres and fusions during it's traditional style running time of under 40 minutes, and covering them in fine style. There's no filler here. From the opening track, "I Am A Haitian," with it's haunting instrumentation acoustics alongside Bigga singing proudly about and on behalf of his land of birth - the words relative to us all no matter where we from - through to the last track, we are treated to a musical treasure trove of well written lyrics and reggae music alongside all its fusions.

Track 2, "My Doorbell" (1st cut) is a cover of the White Stripes tune features Craig Dreyer and a great horn workout with members of Steel Pulse and The Skatalites in fine style with Bigga's vocal keeping the whole vibe alive, with a feel good catchy 'summer's coming' almost funky pon top fashion. If there's any tune worthy of crossing over into the mainstream airplay, it's this. Next up a tune called "Empress," real Jamaican reggae vibes, this tune has a 'recorded live' sound to the mix and it is this tune where the vocal talent of Bigga shines the most for us, and again another Jamaican horn workout which takes center stage and as the song finishes and fades whilst each instrument departs leaving a touch of studio banter it got me thinking..the next single? Well it should be, with its pop-a-top shuffly organ and real live Wailers style drumming married with Bigga's distinct classic vocal, I'm gonna personally lobby Walkup for this to become a single! The fourth offering from the album is my personal favourite "London Massive." For me this is strictly from time UK fashion, taking one back to those 80's 12" collection days. This tune is put together in such a way that it's commercially a winner but at the same time keeping true to a certain genre from time with Bigga coming in on the mix deejay style lifting the vibe, this tune reminds me of something, a moment in time, all the elements are there. This cut features current Wailers lead singer Yvad catching yuh ear with some real sweet and highly infectious vocal work and thus keeping you tuned in throughout the track. Great stuff, I want a dub version of this!!

Following this is the single released before this album, "Gi Me Da Weed," which we playlisted heavily during its run on our station as well as being aired across hundreds of stations worldwide at the time, was a smash and still is. Good to see this included. Track 7: "Haiti A Weh Mi From" Doing dancehall proud again with the Walkup Records production team effortlessly bringing this classic bang up to date that feels very much at home on this album. This is the original version which has been remastered by Walkup to celebrate its twenty year existence as a recorded music work.

A superbly put together album, just right for the coming spring and summer, full of diversity and the musicianship is second to none. Completing the package is the wonderfully distinct classic voice and lyrics of Bigga Haitian. Great album. Feel good sounds. Infectious. It has been a long while since Bigga's last album but it was well worth the wait.

--Springline Jamaica

Product Description

Sak Pasé, Bigga Haitian’s highly-anticipated follow-up to 2003’s Binghi Mon, showcases the legendary reggae singer reaching new heights vocally and spiritually on an eclectic mix of tunes covering ground from roots to dancehall to hip-hop Creole and back.

Sak Pasé, produced by Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence, and recorded from 2006-2009 in New York, Israel and Taiwan, was released online by Walkup Records in 2009, andon features many outstanding musicians, including an all-star horn section consisting of Clark Gayton (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Prince, Steel Pulse), Cedric Im Brooks (Light of Saba, Skatalites, Bob Marley), and Kevin Batchelor (Steel Pulse, Skatalites, Shaggy), who last appeared together on the multi-platinum Rihanna album A Girl Like Me.

Bigga’s ganja anthem, "Gi Me Da Weed," released ahead of Sak Pasé, is currently enjoying airplay on reggae radio stations all around the world. The album also features a cover of "My Doorbell" by the White Stripes, and collaborations with Yvad (current lead singer of The Wailers), Mecca aka Grimo (signed to Wyclef Jean’s label), Jerry Johnson (Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Skatalites, Shaggy, Sugar Minott). One of these collaborations, "London Massive (feat. Yvad)," was featured in the series finale of the NBC drama, The Philanthropist.

Included is an instrumental version of "I Am A Haitian" that is only available on this CD, not sold anywhere online. Artwork by renowned art director/designer Joshua Marc Levy (Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Crowes, Santana, Matisyahu) completes this package.

Bigga Haitian has been blazing up the stage for more than 20 years, appearing with reggae legends including Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Capleton, Cocoa Tea, Junior Reid, Shaggy, Collie Buddz, and Buju Banton and is known as the first Haitian singer to break into the Jamaican reggae scene, tearing down national and cultural walls and paving the way for the next generation of Haitian artists.