The King of African reggae continues his reign with this release, almost reggae all the way – Le Cri Du Silence sounds like a Muscle Shoals soul ballad transplanted to the Ivory Coast, and it is a performance that certainly keeps the listener’s attention. The remainder of the set is definitely in the trademark Alpha Blondy reggae style: lovely, lyrically committed, and melodic songs – mostly in French this time – sung in his strong, slightly soothing but always wise-sounding voice, beautiful backing vocals, a band that feels the one-drop but adds a little something different sometimes (playing African instruments, for example), and as he has used before, a rock guitar prominent over the rock solid backing on some tracks (Je Ne Sais Rien for example).
Je Ne Suis Pas Faché also features the superstar singer Koffi Olomidé from Congo, and in a lovely little touch in his honour, the track takes off towards the end, a soukous-style seben. Football ace Didier Drogba introduces the lively Ayoka, a theme for the Africa Cup Of Nations tournament in 2024, and some Jimi Hendrix-styled guitar licks open Cold Fire, a powerful number which also features Capleton in excellent form.
The guests are all welcome, but there is never any doubt that this is Apha Blondy and as always with this man, it is a real joy to hear him. Buy with complete confidence.