Talking about taking a new direction while taking a high risk, this is exactly what Clinton’s Benoit’s first album release “ Funky Konpa” does, it might strike a nerves to the konpa purist, but it can always enlighten
konpa lovers with an open mind. The album with a total of nine original songs: Funky konpa, New York Subway, Nan chenn nan, I am in love with you, Di’m sa’w we, La fin du monde, stereotype, Try and No to drugs, use Rock n roll as its base but keeping the 2/4 compas signature structure.
Listeners tired of hearing Haitian dance music riddled with the same typical sound will be enchanted by Funky Konpa. It seems like Clinton Benoit and his band are fully committed to changing that “bouillon rechofe, mentality, if they can execute this album live. They have a series of infectious, good-spirited Compas funk/rock n roll jams that sound undeniably Compas but also, true to the title, quite funky.
Regrettably, the low point of the album is the title track, "I am in love with you", it’s more like a zouk tempo, with a desire to bring a new flavor, this song leaves much to be desired; I expected a much more power-packed all around album. To my disappointment, this track seems to drift away from the original intent of the album.
Fortunately, the track’s shortcoming does not reflect the rest of the CD.
Track seven, " Stereotype," pulls the listener in and refuses to let go. It showcases killer voice manipulation, gut-punching electric guitars and hyper, screechy lyrics.
"Funky Konpa" amused me more than all the other tracks. The lyrics tell the listener to just go wild and party your soul out if you are feeling the beat…just go crazy, which usually the mood you’ll want to be if you want to have a good night out.
This project by Clinton Benoit is a thrilling attempt to reinvigorate Haitian music without recourse to dance floor cliché. This beautifully detailed yet new flavor album is certain to be one of the buzz this summer if promoted properly.
Artists who participated on the project include: Acey Slade, Armstrong Jeune, Jean Max Valcourt, Ken Hertz, Sean Walden, Nick Carner, Makarios Cesaire, Gary DJ Perez, Shedly Abraham, Isnard Douby, Gerald Balan, Joe Dore, Delva Michel, Lemy Raymond, Jean Riche Damour, Perin Joseph, Neefah Fontus, Frantz Cariess, Jason Coby, Fritz Milfort, Medina Sanchez, Mye Eva, Ronald Villa and King Kino.
