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Apartheid Is Nazism

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Apartheid Is Nazism
Studio album by
Alpha Blondy
Released1985
LabelEMI France[1]
Shanachie (1987)[2]
ProducerAlpha Blondy
Alpha Blondy chronology
Cocody Rock!!!
(1984) 		Apartheid Is Nazism
(1985) 		Jérusalem
(1986)

Apartheid Is Nazism is an album by the Ivorian musician Alpha Blondy.[3][4] The title track was a hit; the album, as an import, was a success in the United States prior to its Shanachie release.[5][6] Blondy supported the album with a North American tour.[7]

Production

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The album was recorded in Abidjan.[8] Blondy was backed by members of the Solar System Band, his touring group.[9] Blondy sang in French, Arabic, English, African patois, and Hebrew, among other languages.[10] He used salsa horns on "Apartheid is Nazism".[11]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
Robert ChristgauB+[13]

Spin wrote that Blondy "creates an arresting pop-music montage by blending bits of traditional West African rhythms and call-and-response singing."[14] Robert Christgau opined that, "as usual in West African pop, the voice is too mild, and as usual in West African reggae, the rhythm section is too buoyant," but acknowledged that "the singing completes an eloquently transatlantic groove."[13] The Toronto Star deemed the album "powerful, provocative protest music with a rock-steady heart."[15]

The Los Angeles Times noted that "there's a certain lack of snap that leaves the album more competent than truly gripping."[2] The New York Times praised Blondy's willingness "to reveal convictions."[16] The Gazette called the album "superb," writing that the title track is "as eloquent and angry as Marley at his best."[17]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Alpha Blondy

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Afriki"5:06
2."Jah Houphouet"5:24
3."Apartheid Is Nazism"4:48
4."Idjidja"5:01
5."Sahel"4:10
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Sebe Allah Y'e"4:45
2."Kiti"5:15
3."Come Back Jesus"5:33
4."Djinamory"4:38
Total length:44:40

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ World Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides Ltd. 1999. p. 475.
  2. ^ a b Snowden, Don (21 Feb 1988). "Alpha Blondy's Multicultural Universe". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 76.
  3. ^ Minter, William; Hovey, Gail; Cobb (Jr.), Charles E. (June 11, 2008). No Easy Victories: African Liberation and American Activists Over a Half Century, 1950-2000. William Minter. ISBN 9781592215751 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Harrington, Richard (8 Apr 1988). "REGGAE REVIVAL". The Washington Post. p. D1.
  5. ^ Matlon, Jordanna (May 15, 2022). A Man among Other Men: The Crisis of Black Masculinity in Racial Capitalism. Cornell University Press. ISBN 9781501762888 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Reilly, Terri F. (14 Mar 1988). "ALPHA BLONDY: THE NEXT REGGAE SUPERSTAR?". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. E3.
  7. ^ Snider, Burr (17 Mar 1988). "THE REGGAE VACUUM IS BEING FILLED". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 12.
  8. ^ Akyeampong, Emmanuel Kwaku; Gates (Jr.), Henry Louis (February 2, 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Alpha Blondy". Trouser Press. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  10. ^ Morse, Steve (13 Mar 1988). "ALPHA BLONDY SPREADS A MESSAGE OF POLITICS, SPIRITUAL UNITY". ARTS AND FILM. The Boston Globe. p. 83.
  11. ^ McCurdy, Charles (26 Feb 1988). "GETTING A BEAT ON WORLD MUSIC". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 20.
  12. ^ Hilburn, Matthew. "Apartheid in Nazism – Alpha Blondy". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Robert Christgau: CG: Alpha Blondy". www.robertchristgau.com.
  14. ^ Mapp, Ben (Mar 1988). "Spins". Spin. 3 (10): 27.
  15. ^ Quill, Greg (31 Mar 1988). "New reggae messiah rises up out of Africa". Toronto Star. p. B3.
  16. ^ Pareles, Jon (6 Mar 1988). "A Political Song That Casts Its Vote For the Money". The New York Times. p. A32.
  17. ^ Steckles, Garry (31 Mar 1988). "The star search is over: Singer Alpha Blondy the new savior of reggae". The Gazette. Montreal. p. D1.
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