Kompa Direk (No. 1)

World Passport

• Episode: Kompa Direk (No. 1)
• Website: World Passport
• Feed URL: http://ethnomusic.podomatic.com/rss2.xml
• Duration: 01:05:26
• Published: 2007-10-15 14:44

Kompa is a musical genre as well as a dance that originated in Haïti. The name is derived from compas, the Spanish word meaning rhythm or tone. Sung in Haïtian Creole/Patois, Kompa is a uniquely Haïtian musical form, however it does closely share musical attributes in common with it's neighbors; Dominican Merengue, Cuban Son, Puerto Rican Bomba, and West African/Caribbean Highlife/Calypso. Typically Kompa can be recognized by it's fast paced rhythm driven by a trap set (heavy use of symbols and snares), congas, tambourine and guiro.

The music is commonly arranged around a verse and chorus pattern which alternates between major and minor keys for each section. Swift staccato or arpeggiated double guitar backing is another trademark of the genre with the solo instrument of choice being some sort of single reeded soundsource; usually saxophone, harmonica, accordion/concertina or electronically synthesized versions fo these instruments. Big up Haiti!



1. Coupé Cloué - Gros Bambou


2. Les Shleu-Shleu - Aïe Tiou Aïe


3. Les Difficiles De Petion-Ville - Téléphone


4. Tabou Combo - Ney York City Pt. 1 & 2


5. Les Difficiles De Petion-Ville - Ce La Vie


6. L'Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste - Robe Entraveaprann rinmin


7. Les Difficiles De Petion-Ville - Mesdame Yo


8. Les Shleu-Shleu - Tambour Shleu-Shleu Frapé


9. DBS Presents Cadence Gold - Unknown Groove


10. Coupé Cloué - Net Alcole


11. L'ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste - La Discipline


12. Les Shleu-Shleu - Douceur De La Vie