EMELINE MICHEL--hails from a country that has been making the news a lot these days, but hasn't been seen in the best light.  The world's first black republic has suffered a political coup lately and for a century had endured its share of economic and political hardship.  And yet the country's various musical styles and rhythms that include manman, tanbou, boula and katabou and songs sung in Haitian Creole represent all that is right in Haiti.  Haitian native musician Emeline Michel can also be added to that list of the bright things Haiti can celebrate.  Marrying Haitian rhythms with social messages, Emeline is considered one of Haiti's most prolific recording artists.  Rasin Kreyol is her eighth album and judging from the vibrant music that flows off this disc, her talent remains strong, powerful and passionate.

Her songs employ Congolese style guitar, reggae rhythms in some cases with traditional music mingling with pop sensibility in some cases. Not to mention effervescent horns, polyphonic rhythms and shimmering arrangements, Emeline knows how to craft a compelling song and to top it off with provocative lyrics.  For instance, the lyrics to Sun Nation, Emeline sings, "We are tired of fighting, tired of the cold. We are not diaspora, we are just trapped."  She sings of staying humble and melding passion into compassion.  And even though she currently resides in New York, she keeps her homeland alive by singing about issues that affects the former French colony and she partakes in a variety of delicious musical styles from her Native land, including, compas, twoubadou and rara.  She sings in Haitian Creole (a mixture of African, Indigenous and French languages) and sings with such gusto that you wish you could bring peace to Haiti right now.

The spirited La Karidad with its piano and saxophone solos over a delicious groove will make people think twice about Haiti.  The track, Mon Reve,  features haunting vocals over polyphonic drums, comes across as an invocation to the gods and very well could be.  Sylvain Le Roux's flute adds a captivating quality to the song.  The traditional opener track, Bel Kongo starts out as a gorgeous a cappella piece and then is further embellished by piano, bass, drums, guitar and a chorus.  The song sparkles and hints at more gorgeous gems that follow.  Ban'M La Jwa (Give Me Joy) recalls African pop with its verse-chorus structure, hearty vocals and backup singers.  You might even call it funky.  The lyrics of Beniyo (Bless Them), Sun Nation and When I will Stand Up hit you right between the eyes with socio-political messages.  Emeline also explores romance and passion in her songs, La Karidad (remembering old loves from childhood) and This Man (although he's the type of man to avoid).  Zikap offers double entendres and the beast that is mentioned in the song represents AIDS, a virus that has over the years taken a huge toll on the Haitian population.

Emeline Michel is delightful.  I appreciate and enjoy her humility and beauty of spirit.  And in fact, I'm inspired that the young musician has stayed devoted to her Native land instead of turning her back on the island nation.  In the press release interview she laments, "Living outside your country, you feel you have let your country down...Especially while the country is sinking politically.  You carry so much love and beautiful things about your country you want to put into the world."  Like other immigrants that have fled politically torn countries or came to the U.S. in search of opportunity, Emeline is one of thousands if not millions of people keeping their Native land alive through their art or spiritual practice.  And since it so easy to be swallowed by this Great Melting Pot, Emeline deserves a round of applause.  Times Square Records

 -- Patty-Lynne Herlevi