ALPHA BLONDY - MASADA

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MASADA

TRACKLIST


1. Masada
2. Multipartisme (Mediocratie) - (African Languages, French)
3. Rendez-Vous - (French)
4. God Is One
5. Yeye - (African Languages, French)
6. Desert Storm - (French)
7. Houphouet Yako - (African Languages)
8. Peace in Liberia
9. Papa Bakoye - (African Languages)
10. Les Chiens - (French)
11. Sciences Sans Conscience - (French)
12. Fulgence Kassy - (African Languages)
13. Ca Me Fait Si Mal - (French)
14. Mystic Night Move


Label Blue Note
Orig Year 1992
Release Date Aug 01, 1992
Producer Boncana Maiga
Engineer Dennis Bovell; Laurent Patte

Côte d'Ivoire-native Alpha Blondy has probably reached more fans internationally than any other reggae artist. That his Jamaican-based style is also heavily infused with African elements certainly helps with mass appreciation worldwide, especially on his own continent and in Europe. Further bolstering his wide appeal, Blondy sings in French, English, and his native tongue. Masada, his eighth release since debuting in 1982, bears the sunny roots sound heard on most of his albums. Ranging from the pop of "Masada" and "Rendezvous" (all chipper horns and electronic percussion) to the Burning Spear-inspired weight of "Houphouet Yako," the album makes clear Blondy's debt to Bob Marley by way of rebel-roots tracks such as "Peace in Liberia" and a "Redemption Song"-like "Papa Bakoye" (Blondy memorializes Marley directly on "Mystic Night Move"). The most impressive thing here, though, is how Blondy creates very original backdrops by seamlessly incorporating West African touches into the reggae-centric songs. Maybe not the heaviest of reggae artists, Alpha Blondy still has created some of the most appealing and righteous Rasta sounds in the last decade.


Personnel: Alpha Bondy (vocals); Afriloue Eugene, Christian Poloni (guitar); Michel Cron, Gaunet Jean, Kouznetzof Alain (strings); Hatot Alain (tenor saxophone); Alain Hoist (saxophone); Philippe Slominski (trumpet); Bolognesi Jacques (trombone); Romie Lawrence (keyboards, programming); Abou Bbass Ae (bass); Max Facon, Clayton Joseph (percussion); Bou N'Diaye (tama); Pierre Rigopoulos (zarb); Marylou Seba, Colau Valerie, Corine Van Montagu (background vocals).

MASADA LYRICS

I'm gonna sleep by the dead sea
And rise up with the birds from the hills
And clean up my sins
While the birds sing
I'm gonna walk up to the top
Of the rock of sacrifice
Cause i know now,that life
Ain`t no dice
Yes i know now,that life is a sacrifice.


I`m gonna withness the rising sun from Masada
Withness jah rising sun from MAsada
Sleep by the dead sea
And rise up with the birds from jah hills
And clean up my sins
When the birds sing
I'm gonna clib to the top
Of the rock of sacrifice
`cause i know now
That the lord had conforted his people
Yes the lord had conforted his people
And the lord had conforted his people.


Elohim YEVARECH ETE MASADA
YEVARECH,ELOHIM ETE MASADA


Withness the rising sun from Masada
Withness JAH rising sun from Masada
Yes from Masada... Song for Masada