Rara Machine

Along with such bands as Boukman Eksperyans, Rara Machine helped to spread the dance music of Haiti to the international stage. Led by percussionist and vocalist Clifford Sylvain, the group served an infectious blend of voodoo rhythms and the popular dance music played at Carnival. Influenced by an older brother who played in compas band Bossa Combo, Sylvain dreamed of becoming a musician. His father, however, strongly inhibited this dream, disowning him after he had joined a local band. Sylvan's first break came when he was invited to play congas with Bossa Combo at a state f...