Formed after the Haitian earthquake in 2010, Lakou Mizik set out to cheer their much-battered country and revive Haiti’s musical traditions. Elderly veterans and young newcomers feature in a lineup that includes four singers, five percussionists, accordion, guitar and the large cornets that are played during carnival celebrations. The result is a cheerful, easy-going debut that invites comparison to those rousing 90s albums by that bravely original political vodou band Boukman Eksperyans. They even include a traditional song, Bade Zile, that was recorded by Boukman in a similar a capella setting. Elsewhere, Lakou Mizik mix old Haitian favourites and vodou rhythms with new songs, and influences from Africa, New Orleans and across the Caribbean. Their American manager Zach Niles helped Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars react to tragedy by becoming an international success. The upbeat songs of Lakou Mizik should prove equally commercial.
