VARIOUS ARTISTS
African Reggae
CD: |
Tracklisting: |
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| 01 | Magno Mako - Ismael Isaac | |
| 02 | Vision - Mo'Kalamity & The Wizards | |
| 03 | Congo Natty - Bingui Jaa Jammy | |
| 04 | Jabulani - Zoro | |
| 05 | Krebo Cheo | |
| 06 | Bô Ten Qu'Lata' - One Love Family | |
| 07 | Steppin' Into Zion - Kwame Bediako | |
| 08 | On Veut Se Marier - Ba Cissoko with Tiken Jah Fakoly | |
| 09 | Jah Libilé - Serges Kassy | |
| 10 | Man Of Sorrow - Majek Fashek |
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REVIEW IN ENGLISH: SOURCE: ROOTS MUSIC Reggae & Dancehall AUTHOR: Teacha Dan 
Ever heard of reggae artists like Mo'Kalamity, Serges Kassy, Nino Galissa or Kwame Bediago? Names that probably not even the greatest reggae devotees have ever heard of. Yet they are all recording reggae artists with a strong reputation and following. What they have in common is that they all stem from the great African continent and that they, together with some more familiar African colleagues like Ismael Isaac, Majek Fashek and Tiken Jah Fakoly have works compiled on the latest Putumayo release. All Western reggae aficionados know at least two of Africa's greatest reggae stars. One sang in English only (Lucky Dube †) and the other has been a star ever since his debut in 1982 (Alpha Blondy). Both have a certain suffering in their voices and a rock element to their music that appeals to Western standards of heartfelt music. The artists and their songs on this compilation are more carefree and perhaps even more true to the ever-uplifting African spirit. Because beyond suffering comes resignation and then joy, or as Zoro puts it: "Have a little bit of life I say, … Don't let no nothing get you down". Because the artists on African Reggae hail from all over the continent the instrumentation and languages are equally abundant. From lyrics in English, Spanish and French to those in Mandinka and other regional languages from e.g. Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau and Ghana and some have pretty strange intonations to uninitiated ears. Next to reggae essentials drum and bass you will hear frantic horns, percussive hand drums and even the occasional mystical kora. The ten songs that make up this compilation album sound very different yet surprisingly similar to the sounds we are familiar with. With just a little help from the booklet you understand the music and the lyrics even if you cannot translate one single word. Reggae is a true universal language! The attached full colour booklet features photo material of all artists and a mini essay on all of them in the three major Western languages as well as a rather brief listing of credits. The artwork is enticing and as always very recognisably Putumayo, undoubtedly one of the more inspired and engaging record labels in world music. (Teacha Dan, February 2009) |
