Album Notes

"This is the definitive Haitian "World Beat" album...On top of a strong 'racine' [roots] bed....are layers of zouk, beguine, Cuba, Latin America and Brazil...the vocal range and intonation emit a sensual warmth suggestive of the 'whiskey' tinged 'velvet fog' quality attributed to Mel Torme along with a discernable touch of Edith Piaf."
-The Haitian Times, June 26/July 4, 2000

"Gorgeous new Emeline Michel CD is worth the search...she layers piano, percussion instruments such as congas, bongos and maracas, and violin, but they don't clash. Instead she leaves welcome space to breath...Michel's songs merge native Haitian compas and rara with jazz, pop, bossa nova and samba elements and her production is near flawless."
-Miami Herald, July 21, 2000

"Cordes et Âme by the reigning queen of Haitian song...marks a return to roots...almost angelic in its beauty".
-Beat Magazine, Vol.19#3 2000

"every minute of [Cordes et Ame] ... was worth the wait... a wonderful combination of [Emeline's] soothing, but powerful, nuanced and accurate voice grafted on traditional instruments like the conga, the maraca, the banjo.... You derive equal pleasure whether listening or dancing to the tunes...a relaxing, thoughtful, and lyrical album, which makes you reminisce."
-Windows on Haiti, June 2000


CORDES ET AME was awarded Haiti's "Musique En Folie" awards for Best Haitian Album and Best Production for the year 2000.


EMELINE MICHEL
She is the reigning queen of Haitian song. A captivating performer, versatile vocalist, accomplished dancer, songwriter and producer. She has recorded and appeared on concert stages throughout the Caribbean, Europe, North & South America, and Africa for the past 15 years. Singing both in French and Haitian Creole, her seven CDs, Douvanjou ka leve (May the Sun Rise), Pa gen manti nan sa (There's No Doubt), Rhum & Flamme (Rum & Flame), Tout Mon Temps (All My Time), The Very Best, Ban'm pase (Let Me Pass), and Cordes et Ame (Strings and Soul) have catapulted her to international acclaim.

Emeline is beloved by Haitians for combining traditional rhythms with social, political and inspirational content, and is celebrated as one of the leading songwriters in the Haitian Creole language.

Emeline's latest CD Cordes et Ame is a ground-breaking recording for a Caribbean artist. A sophisticated song-cycle centered around the theme of perseverance, the CD features the sound of voice & acoustic guitar bathed in the ancient and modern rhythms of Haiti.