Haiti’s Emeline Michel Returns With ‘Rasin Kreyol’

            Emeline Michel, the Queen of Haitian song is back with her eighth CD, “Rasin Kreyol,” released recently on the Times Square Records label.

            Michel said “Rasin Kreyol” is “my chance to show a side of Haitian culture that is positive.”  The singer was born in Gonaives, the Haitian town that recently suffered from devastating floods triggered by Hurricane Jeanne. 

            The songs on the album cover a range of subjects.

            On “Nasyon Soléy” (Sun Nation), the New York resident sings, “We don’t want to die before our children can see our country back on its feet.  We don’t want to die without going back to Haiti no, no, no.”  While on ‘Ban’m La Jwa” (Give Me Joy), Michel asks for strength to live a positive life.

            In “La Karidad,” she reminisces about growing up in that neighborhood during better times in Haiti; a time of young love and Tropicana, a romantic big band, which rehearsed nearby.  And on “Mon Reve” (My Dream), Michel dreams of a world with all nationalities, living together without borders.

            As she says, “The planet is for all of us and we should make it easy for each other.”

            For the complete 12-track CD, check any major record store.  To catch Michel live, check out SOB’s, 204 Varick St. (at W. Houston St.) in Manhattan, at 11p.m. on Friday.  Advance tickets are $22 and can be obtained by calling (2120243-4940.