Forces of Victory [Import]

Linton Kwesi Johnson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ume Imports
• ASIN: B0000262IH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,989 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With 40 pumping minutes of dread lyricism, Linton Kwesi Johnson's 1979 Island Records debut finds reggae's top poet full of confidence and rhythmic elasticity. This album also marks the first time the proud, angry young man bounced his rhymes off former Matumbi-bassman leader Dennis Bovell's dense, lucid arrangements, as interpreted by his newly formed Dub Band. The release galvanized black youth in Britain with tracks like the almost unbearably painful "Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)" and the antic punk attitude blaring from "Fite Dem back." LKJ wasn't playing here. "Independant Intavenshan," "Time Come," and the title track are direct summons to the underclass to marshall its collective power and get down to the serious business of transforming the world Babylon system. --Elena Oumano

Product Description

1979 album for politically charged reggae artist & dubpoet. Includes the songs 'It Noh Funny' and 'Independent Intavenshan'. Universal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reggae on a Higher Level, August 26, 2006

By 

M. Vassallo (.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forces of Victory (Audio CD)

This is LKJ's second album, by far his best, and it is reggae like you've never heard it before: It avoids many of the cliches of the genre and charters new territory for music in general. It features LKJ's distinctive deep, mournful voice, reciting his poems over wonderfully complex and layered productions. Each song ends with extended jams, full of heavy dub-style effects and very elegant lead guitar work. The lyrics are primarily about battling racism in England, continuing his theme from his first recording, Dread Beat and Blood. Each song is a gem to be listened to over and over. This is meditative, deep music, filled with tension and menace, but has an intelligence and hypnotic mood that is very rewarding.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable, October 9, 2007

By 

gmemphis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forces of Victory (Audio CD)

Acquired the LP in the early 80's at the recommendation of a friend from Senegal (Senegambia then). In the 90s made a cassette copy of the album & wore out the title track on the drive in to work every day; it's phenomenal. Deeply appreciate LKJ, Dennis Bovell, & whoever made it available on CD. . . keep it alive & morphing with the tech, OK?

From memory:

We're the forces of viktry and we're comin' right through
We're the forces of viktry now whatcha gonna do. . .
Dressed in red and feelin' dread
Dressed in green and feelin' mean
Dressed in purple and dressed in yella
Dressed in blue and we're comin' right through. . .

The instrumental behind & beyond lifts your mind into eternal sky while never forsaking the earth of your manifestation. As another European poet expressed it earlier in the last millenia (likewise with sublime instrumental):

Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels pracht'gen Plan
Laufet, Bruder eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent political reggae/poetry, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Forces of Victory (Audio CD)

Brilliant anti racist lyrics against reggae beat. Sonny's Lettah is a classic but anti fascist Fite Dem Back and Independent Intavenshan are also fine tracks. In fact the whole CD is excellent.