The Prophets | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1989 | |||
Label | Capitol[1] | |||
Alpha Blondy chronology | ||||
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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]
Review scores | |
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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]
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 |