ISMAEL ISAAC - BLACK SYSTEM

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ISMAEL ISAAC - BLACK SYSTEM

TRACKLIST

1. KoroDJo

2. Allah Dimina

3. Magno Mako

4. Black System

5. Carte De Sejour

6. Samalah

7. Treich Feeling

8. Vendeur D´armes

9. Teri DJougou

10. Tientigui

11. Farafina

12. Baramogo

13. Sans Papiers

14. Club Rouge

Label Stern's Africa

Orig Year 2000

Black System is Ismael Isaac's seventh album and it is to date the strongest of his efforts. His career has been somewhat overshadowed by the success of Alpha Blondy, another reggae artist from Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast. However, he is a true talent in his own right and has produced an album of bouncy reggae that has moments of inspired skanking. When Bob Marley died, Isaac was inspired to become a reggae artist, and with little more than faith in his talent, he managed to get on Ivorian radio and television. He sings in the local Abidjan dialect with a lot of soul. African reggae, in many instances, does not differ from Jamaican reggae. However, most African reggae seems to have more energy and drive that traditional reggae from Jamaica lacks. He is backed up here by a full complement of horns peppered with occasional tasty solos. The backup singers also provide tight call and response vocals. It makes for a more interesting brand of reggae, rather than the purely synthesized sounds common in most reggae. A good introduction to this artist's work and African reggae in general

ISMAEL ISAAC - RAHMAN

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RAHMAN

TRACKLIST


1. Treich Ghetto
2. Terrorisme
3. Kasso
4. Liberté
5. Polio
6. Rahman
7. Aventurier
8. HeDJi


DATE 1996
Label Phantom

ISMAEL ISSAC - TAXI JUMP

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TAXI JUMP

TRACKLIST


Ismael Isaac - Africa
Ismael Isaac - Dealer
Ismael Isaac - Ennemi
Ismael Isaac - Ethiopia
Ismael Isaac - Goodbye Apartheid
Ismael Isaac - Koumbo
Ismael Isaac - Love
Ismael Isaac - Nahaw
Ismael Isaac - Sauver L'amour
Ismael Isaac - Taxi Jump



Ismael Isaac was born in Ivory Coast's capital Abidjan in 1966. He grew up in the urban ghetto, bumping to the sounds of funk in the 70's and reggae after Bob Marley's death in 1981. One bright evening, his country discovers Alpha blondy, now Africa's Reggae Ruler, on the television show Premiere Chance. The road is paved for Ivory Coast reggae artist. Ismael sneaks into the television studio but no one will give him a chance to show his talent. One day, while the crew is out to lunch, Ismael is able to sing for Georgie Koukou, keyboard player and arranger of Radio Television Ivorienne's orchestra. he is immediately booked for an appearance on Premiere Chance. Ismael's career is now launched. The death of Ousseine Keita, his musical mentor, created difficult times, but he is nevertheless able to release his first album "Rahman" in 1990. The International success of "Rahman" earns him a recording contract with Island Records. In 1993 he released "Taxi Jump", featuring Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Ismael Lo and Mory Kante, produced by Phillipe Constantin. After the untimely death of Phillipe, Ismael left Island. In 1996 he released "Treich Feelings". In his candid voice, Ismael shares the insights that life has brought him, the dangers of polygamy ("Faden Kele"), the roubles of inner city youth ("Abidjan Siqui"), the importance of farmers ("sene"), the illusions of show-business ("Magouille Production") and politics ("Babylon Hypocrits"). He also evokes moments of personal history such as his voyage searching for his mother in the village in 97 ("Bansa"), his father's hospitality towards strangers ("Lonan Tche") and the love of a woman which jeopardizes his friendships ("Elle m'a drague").