Search - African Head Charge :: Akwaaba

AHC's worst

Greg Retro | San Francisco, California | 06/24/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Released a year after "In Pursuit of Shashamane Land" (which was still quite good), this cd is to me the first bleak spot in AHC's long list of releases.The fact that this cd is on Hollywood Records (instead of Restless or On-U) is a good sign that something's not right here.
This cd is produced in a much more "smooth and cheap" style, with barely any of the interesting timbres and textures common on other AHC releases, and on On-U sessions in general.
There are strong hints of soukous and soca on some tracks, and pop-reggae on others - but (and this is important) there are vocals on all tracks! Often overtly religious, without any of the ganja-mysticism of Songs of Praise and In Pursuit of..., Bonjo Iyabinghi appears to have laid down his drumsticks in favor of sitting in front of the mic AND STAYING THERE. The vocals are average at best, the themes are your typical "Love Jah" and "Live in Peace" lyrics of every 2-bit reggae popstar wannabe coming out of the U.S., and the rhythms and general feel of the songs just scream "AVERAGE!!", which is probably okay if you're listening to a pop radio station.
But this is African Head Charge... and fans of AHC know that this record is scraping the bottom of the barrel.
If sell-out is what's going on here, I wish Bonjo I luck - he certainly deserves more recognition... I just wish he could find fame and fortune by staying true to his roots, and to the undefinable sound that used to be AHC."

Shame on AHC

koasterkid | Burlington, VT United States | 09/02/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have long been a serious fan of African Head Charge, Dub Syndicate, Bim Sherman and all the other On-U Sound bands, but even Adrian Sherwood's legendary recording studio couldn't pull this one out of the crapper. I was so disappointed in this endeavor.

I would highly recommend "Songs of Praise" if you really want to hear what this amazing band is all about.

Don't waste your money on Akwaaba."