Masada [Import]

Alpha Blondy

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 1992)
• Original Release Date: July 28, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000002V0Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #201,351 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Africa > Ivory Coast

Track Listings

1. Masada

2. Multipartisme

3. Rendez-Vous

4. God Is One

5. Yéyé

6. Desert Storm

7. Houphouet Yako

8. Peace in Liberia

9. Papa Bakoye

10. Chiens

11. Sciences Sans Conscience

12. Fulgence Kassy

13. Ca Me Fait Si Mal

14. Mystic Night Move

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This recording by Alpha Blondy and his mighty band the Solar System clinches their place in the top rank of African reggae. With songs set in a number of different languages, Blondy finds themes that bring us all together. He sings of making the ultimate sacrifice in the very moving "Masada," of love anticipated in "Rendezvous," and of spiritual unity in "God Is One." Blondy mourns the loss of Bob Marley in "Mystic Night Moves," his sorrow extending to include all of the black heroes who died too soon. The lyrics on this release are global in scope and speak with great intelligence and insight. The international band backs Blondy with power and finesse, with notable instrumental passages including the talking drum intro to "Multipartisme," the soaring electric guitar of "Ye Ye," and the intimate acoustic guitar of "Papa Bakoye." Special respect must be paid to Boncana Maiga's arrangements, which are innovative and rock solid. --Jeff Grubb

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLONDIES HAVE MORE FUN!, July 4, 2000

By	Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Blondie's 8th album sparkles with fluid melodies, luscious riffs and his wistful, plaintive voice singing in Dioula, French nd English. Particularly gripping tracks include Rendez-vous, desert Storm, Peace In Liberia and the incredibly beautiful Sciences sans Conscience and Ca Me Fait Si Mal with their singalong melodies and hypnotic rhythms. Alpha Blondie is assured in his artistry and he's got the tunes to back it up with. Masada is a winning album where every track is a hit.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good effort, September 18, 2000

By	Sean M. Kelly (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

While "Apartheid Is Nazism" is the supreme Alpha Blondy recording, "Masada" finds out hero in good form, giving us his message in 3 languages, thus showing the universality of the music he makes.

For me, this is a great improvement over his prior 2 efforts, "Jerusalem," and the very disappointing "Jah Jah Seh." Blondy is known for his very eccentric nature, and I think it reared its ugly head on those recordings.

This album is more back to basics for him, and the results, including the gorgeous "God Is One," "Peace in Liberia," and the touching "Mystic Night Moves," show that Alpha is making his way back, and the music from his band the Solar System (the modern day Sun Ra and his Arkestra?) is excellent.

This lp is a return to form for Alpha Blondy, and is recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go get it now, November 13, 1999

By	Valentin Backofen ([e-mail]) (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews

Alpha Blondy What is there to say Go buy Alpha today and you shall find cmplete happiness. Music for the mid, for the spirit. From Africa, for the World. Blondy... If I could I would buy it right now. Listened to it all Summer while travelling l'Afrique de Ouest