The Prophets
Studio album by
Alpha Blondy
Released1989
LabelCapitol[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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Chicago Tribune[7]
Robert ChristgauB[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

All tracks are written by Alpha Blondy

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."The Prophet (Allah Léka Netchi)"3:02
2."Banana"3:44
3."Coup D'Etat"2:56
4."Kolombaria"4:13
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Face to Face"4:19
2."Black Men Tears"5:15
3."Corinthiens"3:15
4."Jah Music"6:25

References

  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. 1 2 Shuster, Fred (October 6, 1989). "A Solar System is born". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L27.
  6. 1 2 "The Prophets - Alpha Blondy & the Solar System, Alpha Blondy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  7. 1 2 May, Mitchell (13 Sep 1990). "Rave recordings". Chicago Tribune. Tempo. p. 7.
  8. 1 2 "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.
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