KDANS
Pushes The Boudaries of Konpa Music
By
Rene Devis, Heritagekonpa Magazine
Published November
16 , 2005
 Kdans,
one of Haiti’s premier new generation groups, pushes the boundaries
of Konpa music yet again with “Lanmou Aveg” and “Malachong”.
The release of these two new tracks should help to reintroduce Kdans to the music
industry.
Lanmou
Aveg, meaning “Blind Love”, is a highly enjoyable Konpalove song. The
mid-tempo track describes a fun-loving relationship with a humorous take on trust.
Jude Jean’s voice resonates brilliantly throughout the song. His timing and
phrasing are perfect. Jude Jean is definitely one of the best Haitian male vocalists. Most
of us think love songs are what Kdans does best, but wait until you hear “Malachong”.
With this song Kdans casts away their modest exteriors and get right down to business.
Malachong is a rocking Konpa track with great guitar and memorable keyboard riffs.
Didi Santana, Kdans’ new lead guitarist, has brought a new dimension and
much needed change to the group’s line up. Kdans
almost single-handedly crafted the term “Konpalove” back in 1995 with
the release of their debut album “Nap Chill”. While the group has enjoyed
some success in past, scoring major hits with “En Tout Franchise”, “
Ki Lang Ou pale”, “Valerie” and others, Kdans has never maximized
on their full potential in the “live konpa scene” and the Haitian music
market. With
a talented group of musicians and a successful repertoire, many of Kdans’
hardcore fans often question why the group has not enjoyed a lot more success
in the Haitian market. Some fans and industry experts attribute Kdans’ lack
of success to social bias (the color issue), while others think it has more to
do with poor management. Regardless
of one’s personal conviction, the fact remains that Kdans and other less
commercialized Konpa groups have been the victims of an industry plagued with
corruptions, a lack of an organized structure, or a large consumer base to support
the music and a salacious media. Kdans
has done great work over the years and are working diligently to achieve a closer
connection with the fans. If the new tracks are any reflection of what is to come
from Kdans’ upcoming album, Konpa music fans have much more to be excited
about. | 
