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Strut presents HAITI DIRECT, the first in-depth exploration of the vibrant and varied colours of Haiti's music from the early '60s to the late '70s. HAITI DIRECT celebrates the overlooked musical legacy of Haiti, going beyond Ra-ra and voodoo stereotypes to trace the development of a unique sound that echoed across the Caribbean.
At the dawn of the '60s, as Jamaica twisted American R'n'B into ska and reggae and musicians from Cuba and Puerto Rico codified the sound of Salsa, Haiti gave birth to
Compas Direct. an updating of the traditional Meringue rhythm, adapted with a new swing and complex arrangements.
The driving sound and irresistible beat of Compas swiftly dominated the French-speaking Caribbean as well as taking root in the urban centres of New York, Paris, Montreal and Miami.
As the decade waned, the big band orchestras of Compas-originator Nemours JeanBaptiste and musical rival Webert Sicot gave way to new, smaller groups like Shleu Shleu and Les Frères Déjean. Raw electric guitars, wailing sax lines and driving percussion combined as the groups blended local rhythms with rock and jazz influences, producing a raucous, punchy and densely textured sound that paved the way for the next decade. Into the '70s, the Mini-jazz sound had become a major force across the Caribbean and into mainland Europe and South America. Tabou Combo filled New York's Central Park for a Summer concert and topped the charts in France, bringing the sound of Compas to a new and wider audience. They would eventually form one of the cornerstones of the
Zouk wave in the '80s. Compiled by Hugo Mendez, co-founder of the excellent Sofrito label and sound system, HAITI DIRECT features classic material from the early days of groups such as Tabou
Combo and Les Freres Déjean as well as rarities from lesser known groups - bringing together the sound of Compas with Latin workouts, psychedelic experiments and the Cuban influenced Twoubadou singers that continued to be a key part of the fabric of Haitian musical life. Featuring in-depth liner notes and interviews with some of the musicians and producers that shaped the sound, HAITI DIRECT is the first widely available compilation to celebrate the unique and innovative sounds of Haiti in the '60s and '70s.

- first definitive retrospective of classic '60s and '70s Haitian music in marketplace
- deep but accessible sound: appeal to general world music fans and diggers alike
- curated by one of the leading new generation of world music DJs, Hugo Mendez
- package includes various new artist interviews and previously unseen photos
- strong addition to Strut's world music range to accompany Nigeria 70, Next Stop Soweto, Sofrito and Calypsoul 70 albums Sofrito Edits, Soundway, Analog Africa, Soul Jazz, Fela Kuti, Fania, Calypso, Caribbean funk, Daphni, highlife, Latin big band, world grooves

CD1
1. Ibo Combo - Ti GarÇOn
2. Les Vikings - Choc Vikings
3. Les Animateurs - Ti Machine
4. Les Loups Noirs - Pile Ou Face
5. Rodrigue Milien Et Son Groupe Combite Creole - 6ÈMe LeÇOn
6. Zotobre Feat. Webert Sicot - Lagen
7. Les Fantaisistes De Carrefour - Panno Caye Nan Bwa D'Chenn
8. Bossa Combo - Line
9. Les Pachas Du CanapÉ Vert - DÉSordre Musical
10. Ti Paris Et Sa Guitare - Cochon St. Antoine
11. Groupe Les Chleu-Chleu - Compas X
12. Ra Ra De LÉOgane - Gade Moune Yo
13. Tabou Combo - Ce Pas
14. Les Difficiles De PÉTion-Ville - An SeptiÈMe
15. Les FrÈRes Dejean - Packard
16. Trio Select - Ensemble Select En Action

CD2
1. Raoul Guillaume - Mal ÉLevÉ
2. Super Jazz Des Jeunes - Cote Moune Yo
3. Pierre Blain Et Orchestre Murat Pierre - Jouc Li Jou
4. Ensemble Meridional Des Cayes - Calma PÈLerin
5. Ensemble Etoile Du Soir - Messe Quatre Heures
6. Nemours Jean-Baptiste - Ti Carole
7. Orchestre Septentrional - BaptÊMe Ratt
8. Les Ambassadeurs - Homenaje A Los Ambajadores
9. Caribbean Sextet - Suspan'N
10. Djet-X - Jive Turkey
11. Les Shleu Shleu - Crapaud
12. Scorpio Universel - Ti Lu Lu Pe
13. Orchestre Tropicana D'Haiti - Pran Pasyans