WESLI | Album Tradisyon

Disques Nuits d’Afrique is pleased to announce the release of Tradyson, Wesli’s new album, available on all digital platforms since July 3rd 2022.

TRADYSON

In 2021, Wesli signed with Cumbancha and released the upbeat reggae song and video “Le Soleil Descend”. In June 2022, he released the single and video “Bontan Ilayéyé,” a fusion of Haitian voodoo chants and electronic music with African DJ and producer AfrotroniX. Both songs are part of an ambitious two-album project called Tradisyon, which explores the past and future of Haitian music.

The first volume of this epic work, Tradisyon, which focuses on Haitian roots, acoustic and traditional styles, will be released digitally on July 3, 2022 in Canada and July 15 in the rest of the world, with a physical CD release on September 23, 2022. It will be followed by Tradisyon Vol. 2, a stunning exploration of new directions in Haitian music, blending traditional genres with electronic music, Afrobeat, soul, funk, hip-hop and more.

While each volume of Tradisyon demonstrates Wesli’s incredible talents as a composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Tradisyon and Tradisyon Vol. 2 are an epic collection of works that do for Haitian music what groundbreaking artists like the Beatles did for rock in the 1960s and Stevie Wonder did for soul in the 1970s.

TRACKLIST

1. Peyizan Yo

2. Fè yo wè Kongo banda

3. Kay Koulé Trouba

4. Makonay

5. Kontém rakontém (Hommage à Éric Charles)

6. Trouba EWA

7. Samba (Hommage à Azor Rasin Mapou)

8. Rara Mawoulé

9. Wawa Sé Rèl O (Hommage à WAWA Rasin Ganga)

10. Kadja Kadja

11. Simbi

12. Le Soleil Descend feat Paul Cargnello

13. Ba Li La Vi (Remix)

14. Peze Café feat Kizaba

15. Ibo Ibo Msé Toro

16. Ay Lina

17. Soufle Van Yé

18. Azounké an Yanvalou

19. Tifi A Lévé

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Of Haitian origin, Montrealer by adoption, but above all a citizen of the world, Wesli is one of those artists capable of exploring different sounds while keeping his identity and his roots well anchored in his artistic approaches.

Between Haiti and Canada, where he settled in 2001, this talented multi-instrumentalist, exceptional guitarist and winner of numerous awards, delivers a rich, festive and unique sound. He conquers the hearts of his audience with complex musical arrangements and universal messages of hope, truth and peace. Bringing together a wide range of Montreal and Haitian talent, Wesli’s music unites Haitian voodoo and rara with roots, reggae, afrobeat, electronic and hip-hop.

Born in Haiti into a household where music was a big part of daily life, it became second nature to him as a way to escape the misery that surrounded him. Wesli built his first guitar from an old oil can provided by an NGO and a nylon shoelace when he was only eight years old.  His commitment and audacity quickly opened musical doors for him. He performed in several venues with the afroroots quartet Jazz 4ever and SoKute, and traveled abroad with the Kreyol Mizik company. He produced and recorded the album Soul Horizon with SoKute, which was so successful that he could dream beyond his native Haiti.

In 2001, Montreal welcomed this young singer who was thirsty for new discoveries. He quickly worked with the Productions Nuits d’Afrique team and various major festivals, including the Francofolies and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. His talents as a guitarist also earned him a place of choice with the greatest Caribbean and African artists. His consecration is reflected in the opening act for Tiken Jah Fakoly and Magic System at L’Olympia as well as Alpha Blondy at Métropolis.

In 2009, his first album Kouraj shows his ability to mix African instruments – kora, balafon, calabash, talking drum – Haitian percussion – manman tambou, segon, kata – and guitar and saxophone solo. He will subsequently release five more albums between 2011 and 2018. 2019 is definitely his year. Named one of the “Coup de Coeur” artists by the Académie Charles Cros and recipient of the Juno award in the “World Music” category in 2019, he began an international tour that took him to France, South Korea, Switzerland and England.

In 2021, Wesli signed with Cumbancha and released the upbeat reggae song and video “Le Soleil Descend”. In June 2022, he released the single and video “Bontan Ilayéyé,” a fusion of Haitian voodoo chants and electronic music with African DJ and producer AfrotroniX. Both songs are part of an ambitious two-album project called Tradisyon, which explores the past and future of Haitian music.

The first volume of this epic work, Tradisyon, which focuses on Haitian roots, acoustic and traditional styles, will be released digitally on July 3, 2022 in Canada and July 15 in the rest of the world, with a physical CD release on September 23, 2022. It will be followed by Tradisyon Vol. 2, a stunning exploration of new directions in Haitian music, blending traditional genres with electronic music, afrobeat, soul, funk, hip-hop and more.

While each volume of Tradisyon demonstrates Wesli’s incredible talents as a composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Tradisyon and Tradisyon Vol. 1 are an epic collection of works that do for Haitian music what groundbreaking artists like the Beatles did for rock in the 1960s and Stevie Wonder did for soul in the 1970s.