Search - Tiken Jah Fakoly :: Coup De Gueule

Plain good reggae

C. St Pierre | Lincoln, NE USA | 08/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a reggae universe gone mad for dancehall, Tiken Jah Fakoly is a voice of the old school, when reggae was about passion for Africa, strong religious faith, and anger at a corrupt, iniquitous system. Tiken Jah's music resounds with all of these themes, from the upbeat, immanently danceable "Quitte le pouvoir" ("Abandon power") to the sweet, soulful "Allah," to the slow roots-rocker "Tonton d'America" ("Uncle of America"). Tiken Jah's plaintive voice is laid over great, rootsy beats with lots of drums, horns, intricate basslines, and good ska guitar, sparing us (for the most part) the rap-influenced beats of dancehall. "Imadjigui" is a wonderful exception, a nice dancing number with a great African beat and nice drum intro.



You don't need to understand French to love this album! If you like good roots reggae, you will not be able to help adding this (and all of his other work) to your permanent rotation. The closest comparison I can think of is Burning Spear, although the obvious similarities to Alpha Blondy also apply.



All in all, this album is pure gold for fans of roots reggae."

Tiken Jah is da best

Italian Cachindele ina Washington | Washington, DC - USA | 01/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review is valid for this album and all other Tiken Jah's work.

TIKEN IS GREAT!!!

You will never regret spending money on any of his albums!

Great African Reggae!

Tiken is my favourite artist and has been such for 4 years now. I was first introduced ton his work in Angola during the Civil War and I found him to be the hope and prophet so needed in the continent.

Tiken his extremely talented, political and brave. His politically filled songs have earned him exile from his country, Ivory Coast. He has criticised everybody during his musical career: Africans and Europeans, French and Americans, His Presidents and others', his people and foreigners. Tiken does not discriminate when it comes to judging people for their actions: bad is bad, no matter. This is easier said than done, Tiken does it. In every album. And people follow: Tiken is extremely loved by younger generations in his country and throughout West Africa.

I also appreciate the fact that Tiken has never fallen for any easy catch and he's truly a unique reggae artist. He never sings about Ganja - not that there's anything wrong with that, but he has no music minutes on his albums to waste on laid-back serenates - these are harsh political times and too many Africans die and suffer.

Also he sings about God but never fall for the Haile Selassie trap: dictators are dictators - this is Tiken.

Musically Tiken has the best mix of Roots and African flavour I ever encountered. His music is always a shaker. He has also explored very interesting musical collaborations esp. in the Francafrique album.

I would recommend you buy yourself an album and do yourself the favour of listening to some badly needed good music with good content. a rare occasion nowadays!



ciao



"

MBafoh Pian!!!( I Shall Say It Loud and Sound, Come What May

Siendou Konate | New York, United States | 03/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tiken Jah's "Coup de Gueule" is on the continuum of the political engagement of Burning Spear, Robert Nesta Marley, et al. Fakoly has demonstrated that he is no longer a veranda boy in music. He introduced Stell Pulse's african Holocaust after he showed to the Cousins of Jamekya that he learned well their legacy to Africa: Engaged Sound. the Title "Alou Maye" is a part of the retold tale of the Krina decisive battle. "Ou Veux-Tu Que J'Aille" addresses the xenophobia, whether in Cote d'Ivoire, the artist's war-torn homecountry, or elsewhere in the so-called developped world that contributed savagely and egotistically to empoverish our African nations, and yet refuse to see Us among them. The rest is a bulk of lashes against the African Postcolonial Elite, the Source of Africa's loss in the race of the so-called development/Modernism. Listen to the Odienneka-Tche (He is from Odienne, if my information is correct), and you will have enough material to continue your thinking on the Motherland, Afica."