KOMPA! MAGAZINE

[yef]

Rafrechi – Unleashed For The First Time In NY – Sat. 8/1
NY Grande Premiere review



The Washington D.C. based band successfully made its grande premiere @Brasserie Creole in Queens last night!

Among the attendees were people from New York, Washington D.C., Boston and New Jersey. There media presence was strong!! Among the HMI personalities who came to show their support were Armstrong Jeune (Dola), Jean Max Valcourt (Dola), Bono (Chale Mizik), Evens Blaise (Jaz Enterprise), Sonny Sauveur, Sonny Drums (Boston), Lucky G (Tiz), Boogie and Roberto (Tempo).

BAND LINE UP
Last night's line up was strong. Check it out!!

Jodnerson “Kiki” Pierre: Lead Singer
Gary Bruno: Singer
Myrko “Ti Mickey” Walker: Keyboard, and Background Vocal
Cédryc “Ced” Lafontant: Keyboard, Background Vocal
Jean-Gardy “Jean Bang” Hyppolite: Lead Guitar
Mario “Experience” Germain: Bass
Nixon Clermont: Percussion
Roody Volcy: Conga

Note: Shedly Abraham on the Drums!






PLAYLIST:
By 12 AM, the band was already on stage and was introduced to the public by their PR & Marketing Advisor Jean Claude Vivens aka Staff Poze.

The crew opened their set with a Konpa Medley comprised of several popular tunes including Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long,” David Christopher’s “Where do you go” and Carimi’s “First Time”.

They then proceeded with:

Wap plede Gade mwen (Part I, II)
Ginette – Zenglen’s Version
J’ai besoin de toi
Septan Cheri
Men Yo (Track # 2 on Album)

Can’t help it (Track # 13)
Sensation (Track # 3)
Eske’n Pare (Band single)
Fanm Baz la (Track # 4)
Panik (Track # 5)
Tempted to touch (Track # 12)



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NIGHT:
Wap Plede Gade Mwen is definitely a party starter. The “ban devan” was able to fully showcase their extremely tight and melodious vocal harmonies throughout the song. Also their “Chire Konpa” animation is a keeper as it helped set the tone for the rest of the evening.

When it comes to vocal, there’s no question about it! Rafrechi has plenty. Kiki handled his set with ease in the front. Gary showcased what he can do on “Can’t help it” and Cedryc killed it on “Sensation.”

I was extremely shocked and impressed at the way the crew handled Ginette, J’ai besoin de toi and Septan Cheri. The band might be new to the public, but the konpa they play can show up any band.

The band is certainly not missing any “Kod” factor as Jean-Gardy, the guitar player ( of Méridional des Cayes, Vibration, Trankill, Sweet Micky fame) kept it hot all night. Kout gita deranje moun yo!

Cedryc and Ti-Mickey held the keys down proper!! Their musical style reminds me of Mizik Mizik’s Fabrice/Augereau combo. Good stuff!!

I had the most fun watching the bass player Mario of D.P. Express fame holding it down in the back. Coupled with the “Ban Deye,” the band sound extremely heavy and commercial at the same time.

Shedly, what can is say, this guys is a genius on the drums!!

During intermission, Lucky G, the lead singer of the Botson based group Tiz came up on stage and demoed a song called “Crazy in Love”. The ladies enjoyed it very much!

The climax of the night was Eske’n pare, a single released here on KM. Kiki, the lead singer was able to showcase not only how well he can handle the mic, but also how well he can interact with the crowd. They filled the dance floor with this one.


OVERALL:
Rafrechi made a huge mark in NY last night! If you like the album, you’ll love the band live. What you hear on the album is what you hear live!!! That’s a huge plus for anyband.

The vocals are tight! The guitar riffs are awesome and the ban deye is to die for and their playlist is well balanced with uptempo, midtempo and slow songs! The D.C. fan base came all the way up here to support their band--That's a noticeable fact!!!

Congrats to Rafrechi for a succesful NY premiere!!! I definitely encourage promoters to book this band in the tristate!!

To learn more about their album, check out XXPLOSIVE’s review here:
http://kompamagazine.com/kmboard/viewtopic.php?t=25096&highlight=rafrechi
_________________
"I think I have managed to pay respect to some of my childhood heroes but my most important work is always ahead of me."

-Fabrice Rouzier

Last edited by yef on Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:19 pm; edited 2 times in total

[1Lov']

Great to know that everything went well with RAFRECHI. I couldn't make it due to a very Special Birthday celebration at the house. I couldn't get away, I had some very special guests to attend to. I'll make sure I catch them next time.
Very good review, I agree that Rafrechi is a Band to watch closely.
Thanks again for the review, Well done as always.
Peace
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" KM" 1Lov's Hometown Newspaper..

[kattdakitten]

It's so refreshing to read such positive reviews about any new and upcoming band. Review well done Yef! I for one am grateful for the pictures of each member, They enable me to associate a face to the names. I will make my CD purchase as soon as I am able to do so. Hopefully, I will catch them live in my town sometimes soon. Avèk ti djaz newbie sa yo m'ap mache ces jours-ci mwamèm.
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[b]My mind is as free, as wild, & as vast as the ocean. Care to describe yours to me?

[RICKY]

Sanble neg yo te prepare yon bagay move move pou nyc. Thanks for the read Yef.

[micksauce]

YEF-
it was great meeting you Saturday. Thank you for the great review, we had a great time... I also want to thank everyone that made it out to see us, we really appreciate all the support and the great welcome NY gave us.

I want to give a shout out to Eddy LaTortue for doing a great job with the sound and also to Shedley. Shedley never practiced 1 minute with us and he delivered big time- that's why he's the best in the HMI. Thanks Shed and Eddy.

We hope to see everyone at our next gig in a town near you.
Peace!
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REFRESH yourself with RAFRECHI

[Jay Brooklyn]

mwen te byen vle vini men plan yo te vinn change...
see you guys, next time...
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BAT CHIEN AN, TANN MET LI!

[Sonydrums]

hey guys as you heard it Rafrechi did an awesome job in New York. I liked their 2 single they dropped previously that is why I went and support them. Guys kenbe la i see great talent ,potential and the thing that amazed me was the fact you guys have ''great discipline''. I have some videos but its only if Pat. will allow it i will give the link for it if you guys want and Pat gives the ok. Because i got yelled at before lol
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Talent cannot be sold nor taken advantage of so stop using gifted musicians ou tandem avew menm map pale

[Staff Poze 2]

Sonydrums wrote:

hey guys as you heard it Rafrechi did an awesome job in New York. I liked their 2 single they dropped previously that is why I went and support them. Guys kenbe la i see great talent ,potential and the thing that amazed me was the fact you guys have ''great discipline''. I have some videos but its only if Pat. will allow it i will give the link for it if you guys want and Pat gives the ok. Because i got yelled at before lol

We would like to preview them first as well....so please don't drop them without our approval...we like to be cautious about live bal videos...

konpabooks@yahoo.com is my email...please send it to me...

We had a ball at Brasserie Creole...

Discipline is the key and thanks for mentioning that....NOU PAP JWE...
I would like to mention that Jean Claude Jean the guitarist of Tabou Combo was very impressed and that means a lot to the guys....Jean Claude Elie as well as the owners of Brasserie had too many great words for Rafrechi that I would not mention here pou moun pa di se Dyolè nap fè...but people in N.Y that missed the show can only ask those that were present....
Now that the band has delivered...it's time for me to let others do the talking...about what I would now call the KONPA FEDERAL...since we are from DC...
Se pa bagay ti post police, ak ti precinct, ni ti local government kap fèt la non...se yon bagay FEDERAL...HMI you are for now on dealing with the FEDS....like the IRS or the FBI...be careful...because RAFRECHI/ the FEDS maybe heading to your town...with the KONPA FEDERAL....

Dola was the INSPECTOR….509 was the POLICE so now you can say that RAFRECHI is the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT…OR…THE FEDS for short…
Tout sa business ou pa an form…tout sa ki pa guen discipline…tout sa ki pa mean business….yo mèt pran wout eBAY…

On a serious note...Thanks Yef for that great review it was nice meeting you and I also would like to thank all those that made it to the party on Saturday night...
Thanks a million and more times....and if anyone here would like to be at the picnic in Virginia on August 16 just drop an e-mail to me and you will be there...
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Did you read your "Konpa Encyclopedia" today...

[Sonydrums]

Yes sir i will try my best to send it to you guys no problem at all.By the way i started listening to the cd ya'll gave me its very young and refreshing keep up the good work.[/size]
_________________
Talent cannot be sold nor taken advantage of so stop using gifted musicians ou tandem avew menm map pale

[yef]

micksauce wrote:

YEF- it was great meeting you Saturday. Thank you for the great review, we had a great time... I also want to thank everyone that made it out to see us, we really appreciate all the support and the great welcome NY gave us. I want to give a shout out to Eddy LaTortue for doing a great job with the sound and also to Shedley. Shedley never practiced 1 minute with us and he delivered big time- that's why he's the best in the HMI. Thanks Shed and Eddy. We hope to see everyone at our next gig in a town near you. Peace!

The pleasure was all mine Micksauce! The review pretty much wrote itself!! You guys were great!!
_________________
"I think I have managed to pay respect to some of my childhood heroes but my most important work is always ahead of me."

-Fabrice Rouzier