Album review

Boukman Eksperyans

La Révolte des zombies

13/08/2009 - 

Eighteen years after making their international debut with Vodou Adjae, the campaigning Haitian outfit Boukman Eksperyans are still raising their voices in protest. The group's latest album, La Révolte des zombies, puts their forceful message across against a backdrop of voodoo rock and rapsin (a vibrant fusion of rap and local rasin music).

When, two decades ago, Lolo Beaubrun and his wife, Manze, were casting around in search of a name for their group they found themselves inspired by one of Haiti's historical heroes: Dutty Boukman. Boukman (whose nickname came from the English "Book man" because he could read) was the vodoun priest who sparked the slave uprising against the French in 1791 which led to Haiti's independence thirteen years later. Carrying on the protest spirit, Boukman Eksperyans have combined hard-hitting lyrics and driving rhythms over the years. And the group's latest album, La Révolte des zombies, proves they have lost none of their legendary punch ! 

Zombie, the opening track on this generous album - which packs no less than 24 tracks into 90 minutes and comes complete with a 28-page booklet ! - sets the tone for what is to follow with its brooding atmosphere and crackling electric guitars. Lyrics rain onto listeners' heads in a shower of French, Creole and English as Boukman Eksperyans combine their signature voodoo rock with hard-nosed hip-hop influences. Meanwhile, the Haitian group's arrangements are charged with a powerful new force.

Stepping into the role of co-producer alongside his father, Teddy Beaubrun has made full use of his personal address book, recruiting new talent from the local hip-hop community to rap on La Révolte des Zombies. Geos de Barbancourt, Rockfam, Black Alex and other rising stars of the new generation (who were raised on a mixed diet of rap and Haitian rasin) inject Boukman Eksperyans' veteran sound with a new sense of urgency.

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 Listen to an extract from Twoubadou rasin

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Boukman Eksperyans La Révolte des zombies 2009

Read the interview  Boukman Eksperyans  A call for spiritual awakening

Bertrand  Lavaine

Translation : Julie  Street