Overview:
A celebration of distinctive voices in konpa music, from the golden age to immediately, who introduced soul—and sexiness—to konpa.
NEW YORK —The 12 months was 2008, and Tabou Combo was in uncommon type, celebrating its fortieth anniversary. As a parade of konpa royalty honored the band, shining throughout the stage in a stunning lineup, cheers and call-and-response choruses greeted every performer.
Then, everybody acquired quiet.
Isnard Douby of System Band and Pierre Raymond Divers, identified by his stage title as King Kino—of Phantoms, had been on the mic. Their voices blanketed the group of hundreds, turning its overt revelry right into a deep appreciation for the expertise on stage.
Douby’s tone, usually praised as deep, velvety and disciplined, reminded longtime followers why he was dubbed “the gentleman of konpa.” King Kino, however, let free his full vocal vary—dramatic, clear, unpredictable—the type of singer followers say “can begin a bal and finish a breakup.”
It was a poignant reminder that in Konpa, the voices usually implant a sense greater than the lyrics.
Some signature vocals of konpa by the years
Associated