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With their 15th studio album, Happy 69th Compas, Haitian band ZENGLEN proves yet again why they remain a cornerstone in the world of Compas Direk. Released on July 12, 2024, the album serves as a heartfelt tribute to Nemours Jean Baptiste, the genre’s founder, while also showing off ZENGLEN’s enduring creativity, polished musicianship, and adaptability in a modern landscape.
From start to finish, the 11-track collection balances cultural reverence with forward momentum. This is not just a nostalgic love letter to Compas’ beginnings, it’s a proclamation: the genre is alive, thriving, and evolving.
Tracklist: Happy 69th Compas
- Hommage à Nemours Jean Baptiste
2. Lucky me
3. Soulmate (I cheated on my ex)
4. Kon’n saw vo
5. Espwa yo sou mwen (Bwa maré)
6. Hbd to me
7. Koupé dwet
8. Je t’aime a la folie
9. Poto
10. Stop (Bay moune tet yo)
11. Jwé wol ou
The album opens with strength and clarity. “Nou Pap Lage” sets the tone as both a declaration of loyalty to Compas and a reminder of the group’s staying power. While many Haitian bands tend to rely on love songs to carry an album, ZENGLEN ventures deeper, addressing social injustice, national pride, and human resilience. This elevates the album from entertainment to cultural contribution.
One of the most moving tracks, “Tanpri Tande Nou,” acts as a plea from the Haitian people, blending soulful harmonies with grounded percussion. It’s the type of track that demands attention without sacrificing the band’s signature groove.
Joining ZENGLEN for the first time is Jean Renaud Isidor, aka Isimic, whose arrival feels less like an addition and more like a rebirth. Raised in a Christian household and influenced by his father—a singer, composer, and instrumentalist—Isimic brings both spiritual depth and technical maturity to the project.
On “Isimic Se La,” his vocals are both assertive and smooth, reminding fans that even after decades, ZENGLEN is still full of surprises. His voice adds a youthful, modern sheen to ZENGLEN’s foundational sound without sacrificing its integrity. This balance of old and new could easily win over younger audiences while keeping longtime fans engaged.
Tracks like “Danse Pou Nemours” and “Lan Nwit Sa Yo” bring the party with classic Compas cadence, rich horn sections, and melodic keyboard flourishes. The percussion throughout the album is tightly woven and dynamically mixed, especially on “69 Fwa Mèsi,” which doubles as both a tribute and a dancefloor anthem. ZENGLEN knows how to get people moving, and this album doesn’t miss a beat in that department.
Where Happy 69th Compas shines most is in its respect for tradition without becoming dated. The arrangements are clean but textured, the lyrics meaningful but accessible, and the album’s pacing smartly managed. From songs that hit hard with messages to those that keep you on your feet, ZENGLEN delivers a full-bodied listening experience.
This album isn’t just for Compas lovers—it’s for Haitians everywhere and anyone interested in global music evolution. It demonstrates that honoring tradition doesn’t mean being trapped by it.
Fans eager to experience the album live won’t have to wait long. ZENGLEN will host their official album release party on August 3, 2024, at the Oceanside Events Center in Revere, Massachusetts, alongside Orchestre Tropicana d’Haïti. It promises to be a night of celebration, cultural pride, and dancing till sunrise.
ZENGLEN’s Happy 69th Compas is not only a celebration of history, but a statement about resilience and artistic longevity. It’s confident, thoughtful, danceable, and proudly Haitian. With new blood from Isimic and a clear reverence for the genre’s roots, ZENGLEN continues to solidify its place as one of the pillars of Compas Direk.
