Adeline

"Adeline" is a classic méringue by François Alexis Guignard, the leader of Jazz Guignard in the 1930s. Named for his daughter, the song remained in the repertoire of Haitian dance bands for decades after the heyday of Jazz Guignard. Through Guignard's two sons, Felix and Edner, his influence on Haitian popular music persisted through groups such as Jazz des Jeunes and Hotel El Rancho's band. This version of "Adeline" by Webert Sicot, adds a extra layer of sound through two saxophones playing with and against each other, adding some jazz phrasings here and there. Quite beautiful. 

Webert Sicot's Minouche

Sicot's "Minouche" is one of my favorite kadans or kompa songs of that decade. Based on the rhythm and focus on a lush melody, "Minouche" owes more to the Haitian mereng tradition of the slow, stately meringue lente. Indeed, the song is reminiscent of similar luscious meringues from Haitian big bands, such as "Sagesse" by Super Jazz des Jeunes. Fans of these two songs might enjoy other meringues and boleros, such as "La Femme des mes reves" and "Mignone."