If you put this record on unprepared, you might think you’re listening to Afrobeat. The idea isn’t completely outlandish, but misses the point. Alix Pascal, who called himself Ayizan after a voodoo spirit, recorded his album »Dilijans« in New York in 1984. The exiled Haitian used the Rara rhythms of Haitian street music as the basis for his filigree style and driving, yet refined beats. They are combined discreetly with guitar, bass and vocals to form elegant polyrhythms that are never static; instead they shape-shift evanescently. Occasional wind instruments like bamboo whistles and tenor saxophone are also present, which is probably what contributed to the record being called »Spiritual Jazz«. It is certainly spiritual, although it wouldn’t be right to think that you can get a precise idea of the sound of the whole thing from the label. Back to Afrobeat: Rara music developed from the traditions of the ethnic African population of Haiti, so it can at least be traced back to the African continent. But that shouldn’t stop you from listening to »Dilijans« with its seemingly easy flow and realising it is something quite unique.
Dilijans
