Henri-Pierre Noel - Piano (2012)

On moving to Canada from his original home of Haïti, pianist and singer/songwriter Henri-Pierre Noel brought with him much of the tropical island’s influences. The “Kompa Funk” sounds of his homeland, along side contemporary North American jazz and disco, run throughout both of Henri’s albums recorded in the late 1970’s – “Piano” and “One More Step”. Both were released on very limited private presses and have since become holy grails of the back music scene.
Henri-Pierre Noel is an incredibly versatile musican who uses the piano in a very percussive and syncopated way, almost like a drum. This particular technique naturally brings disco and afro-funk elements into his unique brand of dance floor fusion.
The man himself is still playing in his adopted home of Montreal today, and having been introduced to Wah Wah 45s label boss Dom Servini by Canadian DJs Kobal, Moonstarr and Andy Williams, who were all keen fans of his early works, it became clear that Noel’s finest moments needed to be re-released and re-discovered by a new generation.
Re-mastered from the original multi-track tapes by Kevin Moonstarr in Canada, and featuring a previously unreleased vocal version of album favourite “Merci Bon Dieu”, Henri-Pierre Noel’s debut “Piano” is finally available to all on heavyweight vinyl, CD and digital formats, including full sleeve notes translated into both French and English.
A very timely Christmas present from the man with the very aprropriate name.
Merci Monsieur Noel!