Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Kompa Funk


From WahWah45s: "On moving to Canada from his original home of Haïti, pianist and singer/songwriter Henri-Pierre Noel brought with him much of the tropical island's influences.

Henri is an incredibly versatile musican who uses the piano in a very percussive and syncopated way, almost like a drum. This particular technique naturally brings disco and afro-jazz elements into his unique brand of "Kompa Funk".

In 2012, Wah Wah 45s re-mastered and re-issued Henri-Pierre Noel's debut LP from 1979, "Piano", to huge critical acclaim.

Whilst doing so, Canadian producer Moonstarr discovered a couple of previously unreleased cuts recorded in the same session way back when. Henri-Pierre Noel's versions of the the Walter Murphy disco classic "A Fifth Of Beethoven" and the soul/jazz standard "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" are fire for the dance floor filled to the brim with the man's trademark keys, funky bass and afro flavoured percussion.

These exclusive recordings (out July 1st) are sure to start many a party this (northern) summer, and set the scene perfectly for Henri's UK visit this July – the highlight surely being a full London show at The Jazz Cafe on Saturday July 13th!"

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