Boarding Pass

Widely rated as the ‘most valued pianist in Haiti’s jazz scene,’ Reginald Policard’s long career has spanned some 50 years; playing since aged ten, he co-founded the famous Le Caribbean Sextet and has released 13 solo albums. The Grammy-nominated Policard has now collaborated with a star-studded international line-up of guest musicians including singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo from Benin, US percussionist Sammy Figueroa, Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona, Brazilian percussionist Gilmar Gomes and US trumpeter Teddy Mulet. The result is a romantic blend of traditional Latino rhythms, French-Haitian chanson, Afro-Brazilian hip-hop and jazz. Some tracks, such as ‘Celebration’, border on MOR lounge music. But alongside that is ‘Choucoune’, a lilting lullaby sung by Jeff Policard, and the excellent ‘Toda Fé’, featuring Angélique Kidjo and Gilmar Gomes, which brims with infectious energy. Maybe this is one of those Marmite albums that polarise opinions, but it’s well worth a listen, even if only one or two tracks take your fancy.