What’s your all-time favorite album?

This is not an easy question for me. Listening to music has always been an important part of my life, but I can’t say that I have one particular favorite album. Instead, I find that different genres of music speak to me at different times, depending on what I’m going through.

In the order they have come to my mind, here are some of the sounds and styles that have shaped me and continue to carry meaning in my life:

• African American Gospel – These songs lift me up when I’m feeling down. I have always been fascinated with this genre of music since I was a teenager. During the days of lockdown and quarantine, they were especially comforting, helping me hold onto hope and spiritual strength.
• Haitian Gospel Musique (“Musique Évangélique Haïtienne”) – Growing up in Haiti in the 80s and 90s. I listened to these songs on the radio. Even today, they reconnect me to my childhood, my youth in the Church, and my spiritual/religious roots.
• Instrumental Hymns – Whether for silent prayer, deep focus while writing, reading, studying, or simply to fall asleep peacefully, listening to instrumental hymns are part of my regular rhythm.
• African A Cappella & Acoustic Music – I love the purity and simplicity of voices blending in harmony, or the raw authenticity of acoustic instruments. They carry a natural beauty that speaks directly to the soul.
• Old School R&B – From the 60s through the 90s, this music has always drawn me in. I enjoy its romantic and soulful side and often watch documentaries about that era. I’m not a fan of overly sexualized or heavily computerized modern music—I prefer when the music feels real and heartfelt.
• Smooth Jazz – Perfect for keeping a good mood going. When I want to stay happy and stress-free, smooth jazz never fails me.
• Old School Konpa – The classic Haitian sounds of the 60s through the early 2000s instantly bring me back home. Thanks to technology, I can still enjoy them anywhere I am in the world.
• Big Band Performances – There’s nothing like experiencing the energy of Big Band music live.

Of course, my playlist doesn’t end there. I also enjoy Latin American rhythms like Merengue, Salsa, and Bachata, as well as African beats, Caribbean Zouk and Reggae, old French chansons, Country, Soft Rock, Blues, and even some Pop.

I’m also thankful for technology tools like YouTube, Spotify, and Alexa that make it easy to access all this old-school music. No matter where I am in the world, the songs that have shaped me are just a click or a voice command away.

Music is more than entertainment for me. It is helpful, healing, and grounding. It plays an important role in my life and has become part of my personal soundtrack.

So, to answer the main question: No, I don’t have a favorite album. However, I have a lifetime soundtrack made of many songs, each with its own story and purpose.

How about you? Do you have one all-time favorite album, or is your life shaped by a collection of songs and genres like mine?