Eternity

Description

Is there still a need to introduce Alpha Blondy, who has been the embodiment of African reggae since the 1980s? Let's just remember that since the album Jah Glory in 1982, he has been delivering hits without ever giving up on giving meaning to his music, denouncing injustices and criticizing the powerful, blending traditional instruments with synthetic programming. With over twenty studio albums spanning five decades, one might have thought he had said it all. Far from it, as confirmed by this new project, Eternity, which opens a new chapter in the saga of this tireless artist. Alpha's music is about sharing. And his guests reflect that, featuring both old-timers and young talents. In the first category, Clinton Fearon, singer of the Gladiators passing through Abidjan, lends his voice to the powerful track "Excision," a plea against the violence inflicted on women that Alpha wrote after being traumatized by the excision of a cousin. Sidiki Diabaté, son of Toumani Diabaté, sings on "Layiri (Le Serment)," while his father plays the kora. A new example of the African-Jamaican mix that Alpha masters perfectly. Besides, who else but him could make a remake of Bob Marley’s "Soul Rebel" titled "African Rebel" and add a bagpipe to it? 18 songs, 18 statements of consciousness, a double album under the sign of independence since this time, Alpha has freed himself from record labels and become his own producer. Free as always, more independent than ever, Alpha Blondy makes his grand return with Eternity. It was about time.