The Prophets (Alpha Blondy album)

1989 studio album by Alpha Blondy

The Prophets

Studio album by

Alpha Blondy

Released| 1989
Label| Capitol[1]
Alpha Blondy chronology
| Revolution
(1987)  | The Prophets
(1989)  | S.O.S Guerre Tribale
(1991)

|
|

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]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview 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

Side oneNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "The Prophet (Allah Léka Netchi)"| 3:02
2.| "Banana"| 3:44
3.| "Coup D'Etat"| 2:56
4.| "Kolombaria"| 4:13

Side twoNo.| 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]

1. ^ Tanzilo, Robert (10 Aug 1990). "Blondy's best". Milwaukee Sentinel. Feature. p. 18.
2. ^ Goldberg, Andy (11 Aug 1989). "The new album from Alpha Blondy...". The Jerusalem Post. Arts. p. 7.
3. ^ Cawley, Jimmy (11 Feb 1993). "Back on track". The Boston Globe. Calendar. p. 9.
4. ^ Santoro, Gene (Jan 1990). "Alpha Blondy and the Solar System". DownBeat. 57 (1): 30.
5. ^ a b Shuster, Fred (October 6, 1989). "A Solar System is born". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L27.
6. ^ a b "The Prophets - Alpha Blondy & the Solar System, Alpha Blondy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" - via www.allmusic.com.
7. ^ a b May, Mitchell (13 Sep 1990). "Rave recordings". Chicago Tribune. Tempo. p. 7.
8. ^ a b "Robert Christgau: CG: Alpha Blondy". www.robertchristgau.com.
9. ^ "Alpha Blondy". Trouser Press. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
10. ^ Feist, Daniel (26 Oct 1989). "ALPHA BLONDY, THE SOLAR SYSTEM; The Prophets". The Gazette. p. E8.
11. ^ Lannert, John (13 Apr 1990). "AFRICAN ARTIST FOUND HIS REGGAE SOUL IN U.S.". Sun-Sentinel. FEATURES SHOWTIME. p. 20.
12. ^ "Alpha Blondy Casts Afro-Reggae Spell". The Washington Post. 20 Apr 1990. p. N28.

*[No.]: Number