User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. May 13, 2014
    7
    Like all compilations albums that attempt to represent fairly diverse musical styles in one record, Haiti Direct is slightly inconsistent. That's not to say that the songs themselves range from good to bad, only that most listeners are not likely to love the entire record. 18 years is a long time in the evolution of popular musical after all. However, anyone who likes world music willLike all compilations albums that attempt to represent fairly diverse musical styles in one record, Haiti Direct is slightly inconsistent. That's not to say that the songs themselves range from good to bad, only that most listeners are not likely to love the entire record. 18 years is a long time in the evolution of popular musical after all. However, anyone who likes world music will probably find a lot to love. I know I did. I'm much more attracted to the earlier cuts with their slightly dark, funky, surf meets Fela vibe. The deep grooves of some cuts, such as "Compas X" and "Ti Lu Lupe," leave me breathless and drooling. Others, like "Jive Turkey" (is that "Hotel California"?) are not nearly as inspiring.

    Basically, I've listened to the first half of this album over and over, and if I was rating the first 14 tracks only, this piece would be an easy 9. Still, I find myself repeating many of the same songs and not venturing into the second half too often. I'm much more likely to start the record over than to pick up where I left off.
    Expand
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Apr 1, 2014
    90
    There are countless high points, memorable moments and addictive grooves on these two discs, and Haiti Direct is most certainly already a candidate for compilation of the year.
  2. The Wire
    Mar 28, 2014
    80
    A sparkling set that traces a number of lines through Haiti's musical patrimony. [Mar 2014, p.66]
  3. Feb 18, 2014
    80
    The groundbreaking compilation Haiti Direct gathers 27 tracks from those decades: big bands with jubilant horn sections (including the one led by the compas pioneer Nemours Jean Baptiste); “mini jazz” bands that replaced horn sections with guitars; rock bands with a psychedelic streak; small twoubadou (troubadour) groups and more.