Daniel ‘Dadi’ Beaubrun and his sister Marjorie (former founding members and producers of Boukman Eksperyans) joined forces with Sheila and Alex Tanisma to bring Haiti’s Rasin Mizik (Roots Music) to new heights.
Lataye’s music is a dynamic mix of driving Haitain Vodou rhythms played on a variety of musical instruments coupled with astute arrangements and splendid choral hooks. Without losing the soulful essence and spiritual basis of traditional Haitian music Lataye created music which expresses change unity and love combining both aspects of Vodou which is the spiritual transformation agent in the social and artistic component of coming together in unity.
Lataye is led by Daniel ‘Dadi’ Beaubrun a well known composer songwriter producer singer and musician who was the bass and guitar player of Boukman Eksperyans for twenty years. His unique musical style blends traditional Haitian Vodou rhythms with rock pop and blues and has created a revolutionary musical sound for Haiti known as Rasin Mizik. This original style has taken Vodou music out of the countryside and into the cities of Haiti while bringing international recognition and acclaim to Vodou ceremonial music and dance. Today this unique sound has earned its own distinctive niche in World Music for Haiti just as the Reggai freedom songs of Bob Marley have done for Jamaica.
Lataye is a fusion of Daniel ‘Dadi’ Beaubrun’s unique sound with the musical influences of the latibonit rhythm Alex and Sheila Tanisma’s home town. Alex and Sheila are spiritual leaders and Potomitan (the center pole in Peristyle where all spirits descend) of Lataye. They are both initiate members of two of the most prestigious Lakou in Haiti (Lakou Soukri and Lakou Souvenans). As vodou priests they have provided their services throughout the United States Canada Mexico Martinique Guadeloupe and Japan. This roaring sound is then accented with Marjorie Beaubrun’s passionate vocals which have given her a fine reputation as a songwriter versatile vocalist and accomplished dancer. Her distinctive voice pulsating dance style and hypnotic charisma keep the audience under her spell.
Tou Manbre’s sound is a fusion of Dadi’s unique flair. The music is a mix of Haitian Vodou rhythm with other elements like Rock Reggae Jazz and West African flavor. It brings forth a new vision of cross culture distinction for ‘Rasin’ (Roots) music with an intense and pulsating groove. The music is founded on the three traditional Haitian drums then comes a racing bass line. It’s like a forth drum carrying the rhythm pattern. The track (13) ‘Kavfou’ is an accurate sample of this technique adding edgy electric guitar building-up to a call-response into hi-tech undulation. Daniel explains: “The music and the lyrics are one. Haitians use the same terminologies and proverbs to express something different. Some of the chorus from traditional Vodou songs. The charm is that anyone can give his/her own interpretation of what’s being said. That’s the reason why the Rasin music was labeled as being political but it’s much deeper than teh everyday politics. The message is usually base on spirituality even when we are talking about our daily life. In Vodou everything is connected. Like a wise man once said ‘we must spiritualize the materials and materialize the Spirit.”
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
