The roots of black music stretches across the ocean from Africa and America to the Caribbean islands and Europe. This journey of a people and their culture - a journey of joy and struggle - is mirrored in the personal story of Karlex. Singer and songwriter Karlex blends the scratch 'n' riff guitar sounds of classic funk and soul with the fat-bottom bass of dub and roots reggae to create a frothy musical blend called Afro Groove.

Born in the city of Cap Haitian, Karlex' childhood on the island of Haiti was simple and carefree. Despite the tumult of life under a dictatorship, he concentrated on having fun; which meant being immersed in music. Two of his uncles were musicians in bands. His mother was the musical director of the local church choir, which is no doubt where he got his soulful singing style. After getting his first guitar as a child, he began writing songs at a rapid clip. "Very often I say, I did not write my songs but they found me," Karlex explains in typical humble fashion.

Summer visits to New York, where he and his friends made tapes of radio station WBLS, lead to a fascination with America and its musical diversity. He moved to the international city in his late teens and soon was playing in pop, rock and world music bands.

Karlex soon returned to Haiti to help with the family business. However, music remained his passion and heart; his musical vision and inspiration was sparked, in large part, by his homeland. "The drums in the night filled me with a longing to get back to the true essence of liberty and freedom that my ancestors fought for," he exclaimed. "And nothing translated that better for me than a certain sound reminiscent of the 60's and 70's fused with actual urban music and Haitian soul."

Karlex' songs radiate emotion and thoughtfulness with themes of love, love lost, loneliness and the quest for freedom and liberty. In the often vapid, shallow world of today's music,  Karlex is an inspiration. Currently residing in France, he released his debut album, "Ghetto Fabulous," in 2006. The album is already garnering critical praise in France, Holland and the Benelux countries; all of which is where he frequently performs live to packed venues. The album reached and owned the number one spot on Radio Africa 1 and the video for the single "Farewell Angel" is getting regular rotation on Europe 2 TV.  He will soon be performing the first-ever concerts - 14 shows in 7 days - on the French TGV train system. Karlex' musical and personal journey is poised to break new ground.

Buy the CD Online
France: Amazon.fr | alapage.com | fnac
Italy: MusicBox
UK: Virgin Digital
USA: iTunes | Napster | Rhapsody

"...Karlex offers us a musical voyage to asserted eclecticism. Exiled in New York before settling in the south of France, the young Haitian guitarist sings the suffering of the ghetto and the hope of a whole people. A mystical album with reggae influences, funk and rhythm plus rock'n'roll are jostled together with grace." - VSD (April 2007 - France)

"Karlex brings in smooth and mellow sounds with a deep blend of funk, reggae, and soul. From the get go with conviction he brings in a caribbean folk flow with the deep track "Ghetto Fabulous". Be sure to get in on the funk disco rhythmic piece called 'Madness'. Very hot! Une affaire de coeur! Merci Karlex." - Catask Music & Entertainment

"The Haitian singer and guitarist mixes the rhythms of his native island with the funky guitars of his New York years. Between the beat of the big apple and the sufferings of his people, he delivers a soul that is both mystical and smooth." - CD Selection By The Midi Libre

"While listening to Ghetto Fabulous, the listener gets merged into musical and vocal roots: from black culture to reggae, funk, folk music and gospel; Karlex shows a musical diversity that impresses us and makes us learn more about him, and all the cultures he learnt about year after year. From the moving tunes and voice in 'I've Got News For You...' to the long and fascinating vocal improvisation in 'Song For Coco', he deals with a cultural testimony he has to show to the world, talking about emotional sufferings, freedom and inner love and hope. First reading titles and stories about the artist, people think they will have to deal with a kind of introspective album, but Ghetto Fabulous is more than this; the songs are full of hope, moving and pure." - Slug (Past All Concerns)

Karlex Live in Holland 2007
Cafe de Stiels - Haarlem | Het Bluescafe - Apeldoorn | Het Hijgend Hert - Breda | Jerry's Musiccafe - Veldhoven | Het Meterhuis - Haarlem
(c) TheMusicReps

Karlex: A Singer & Songwriter Under The Flamboyant Tree

"In my father's village in Haiti, we had flamboyant trees all around the house. I grew up watching their bright red flowers bloom during the summer months; and with my brother and sister, we enjoyed taking little naps under the trees. So the flamboyant tree, reminiscent of my childhood in Haiti, is represented as my logo on my new album.

"To know more about me, as well as to read my "Food For Thought," visit my blog http://karl-x.blogspirit.com

Karlex on Myspace