Mon General Soleil

Album Title: Mon Général Soleil
Artist: K.B.R. Bastien

Mon Général Soleil is a live concept album by vocalist and composer K.B.R. Bastien, created in 2022 as a tribute to the legendary Haitian author Jacques Stephen Alexis. Inspired by Alexis’s powerful literary voice, Bastien envisioned an artistic project that would bring his words to life through music. With a desire to honor Haiti’s literary and cultural heritage, he invited a team of trusted musicians to join him on the journey.

The project began when Bastien reached out to his close friend and percussionist Cisco Lafrance, then to bassist David Casseus. David brought in the drummer Joshua, whose creative rhythm work helped build the foundation of the sound. The group was completed with pianist Jephte Ruben and guitarist Negot Dezil. In just two weeks, they rehearsed and recorded the entire album live. Bastien entered the sessions with no prewritten melodies—only selected lines from Jacques Stephen Alexis’s books. He sang them on the spot, and the band composed and played around his delivery in real time.

Among the tracks, three songs stood out as personal favorites for Joshua: “À Tour de Rôle,” “L’homme Lumière,” and “Madichon.” These were the most fun and creatively engaging to perform. Each of them carries a lively, danceable rhythm with a groove that feels deeply connected to Haitian culture. The energy in those sessions was electric, with a sense of joy and freedom that poured into the music. These tracks reflect the spontaneous magic of the project and the spirit of the people it honors.

Mon Général Soleil is more than an album—it is a cultural offering that bridges Haiti’s literature and music through live collaboration, heart, and artistry.