It is known that we can always turn to Alpha Blondy for an old-fashioned reggae record. The Ivorian has been known since 1983 for its authentic reggae sound, which forms a solid basis for his socially critical lyrics. That is why it is quite okay when his album Mystic Power opens with digitally edited vocals. Also the overdriven, but weak guitars on the second song don't sound very good. As if Alpha
… Blondy has run out of ideas and tries to catch up with past trends. The adaptation of Bob Marley's I Shot The Sheriff that follows, fortunately, sounds nice and familiar again. From this point on, the singer picks up again. The sacred fire slowly starts to burn again and makes you forget the hesitant beginning. On Woman, the singer doesn't just seem to apologize for his behavior, but for all the suffering that is done to women in the world. When the reggae production is released again later on Danger Ivoirité and Pardon, the result is a lot easier to handle. Alpha Blondy can experiment a bit, even though he sounds at his best as an unadulterated reggae artist. (JE)more
