Tabou Combos, Boukan Guinen, Emeline Michel, Beethova Obas July 18, 2004

Tabou Combos relentless and high-energy style of Compas dance beat knows no language barrier. Singing in English, Spanish, French or their native Creole, Tabou serves a hot mix of grooves and textures with roots from around the world. The infectious rhythm of Haitis national dance music, Konpa (con-pah), has propelled the countrys preeminent dance band to international heights. The Haitian roots band Boukan Guinen was founded in 1990 and released their debut album in 1995. The 10-piece group plays traditional hand drums as well as electric guitars, and blends elements of reggae with African and voodoo music. When he first appeared on the Haitian musical scene at the beginning of the nineties, Beethova Obas was immediately considered as one of the most talented and inspired singer-songwriters of his generation. With his lyrics reflecting hardship and sensuous melodies, Beethova Obas has forged an incisive blues which appeals to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.