The Prophets is an album by the Ivorian musician Alpha Blondy, released in 1989.[2][3] He is credited with his band, the Solar System.[4] Blondy sang in French, Dioula, Arabic, and English.[5]
| The Prophets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Label | Capitol[1] | |||
| Alpha Blondy chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Chicago Tribune | [7] |
| Robert Christgau | B[8] |
| Los Angeles Daily News |  [5] |
Robert Christgau called The Prophets "a professional reggae album with the drums too loud, sliding gradually from felt convention to grooveful genericism."[8] Trouser Press wrote: "Mixing synthesizers, horns, a female chorus and way too much reverb, [Blondy] deftly shifts in and out of reggae rhythms with political and religious songs in English, French and Dioula."[9] The Chicago Tribune deemed it "a wonderfully accessible sound that combines the raw power and urgency of reggae and calypso with tinges of pop and R & B."[7]
The Gazette determined that "despite its derivative feel, The Prophets is a shimmering tribute to the spirit of reggae and Rastafarianism."[10] The Sun-Sentinel noted that it "sports a hybrid Caribbean sound that often fuses reggae's traditional rhythmic lilt to a hard electronic back beat."[11] The Washington Post stated that "the music defines a distinctively African brand of reggae with a lighter bottom, sweeter harmonies, bouncier horn charts and a greater emphasis on secondary polyrhythms."[12]
AllMusic called the album "as soulful and militant as past efforts, with an added gloss to the production that may win new listeners."[6]
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Alpha Blondy
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Prophet (Allah Léka Netchi)" | 3:02 |
| 2. | "Banana" | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Coup D'Etat" | 2:56 |
| 4. | "Kolombaria" | 4:13 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Face to Face" | 4:19 |
| 2. | "Black Men Tears" | 5:15 |
| 3. | "Corinthiens" | 3:15 |
| 4. | "Jah Music" | 6:25 |
References edit
- ^ Tanzilo, Robert (10 Aug 1990). "Blondy's best". Milwaukee Sentinel. Feature. p. 18.
- ^ Goldberg, Andy (11 Aug 1989). "The new album from Alpha Blondy...". The Jerusalem Post. Arts. p. 7.
- ^ Cawley, Jimmy (11 Feb 1993). "Back on track". The Boston Globe. Calendar. p. 9.
- ^ Santoro, Gene (Jan 1990). "Alpha Blondy and the Solar System". DownBeat. 57 (1): 30.
- ^ a b Shuster, Fred (October 6, 1989). "A Solar System is born". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L27.
- ^ a b "The Prophets - Alpha Blondy & the Solar System, Alpha Blondy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b May, Mitchell (13 Sep 1990). "Rave recordings". Chicago Tribune. Tempo. p. 7.
- ^ a b "Robert Christgau: CG: Alpha Blondy". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "Alpha Blondy". Trouser Press. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Feist, Daniel (26 Oct 1989). "ALPHA BLONDY, THE SOLAR SYSTEM; The Prophets". The Gazette. p. E8.
- ^ Lannert, John (13 Apr 1990). "AFRICAN ARTIST FOUND HIS REGGAE SOUL IN U.S.". Sun-Sentinel. FEATURES SHOWTIME. p. 20.
- ^ "Alpha Blondy Casts Afro-Reggae Spell". The Washington Post. 20 Apr 1990. p. N28.