Coup De Gueule

Fakoly, Tiken Jah – Coup de Gueule (Barclay)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 9/26/06
Hard-hitting and beautiful reggae from the Ivory Coast/Mali. Fakoly is a huge star in France and Europe as well as Africa, and must be well-liked in Jamaica as well – besides Sly and Robbie, the record also features Mickey Chung, Tyrone Downie, and Sticky, who are among the best musicians on the island. The music is excellent roots rock reggae with a horn section and big, full sound. Lyrics in French and an unidentified African language, apparently highly political.
FCC unlikely – nothing is in English. It’s all EXCELLENT.
1. ***midtempo bubble, political lament/diatribe. Great song.
2. ***slightly uptempo with chorus, guest rap by Senegalese hip hop star Didier Awadi.
3. **Starts with plucked acoustic instrument of some sort, then slightly downtempo pretty skank, almost lover’s rock, sweet chorus. Could be a lullaby. More African flavor than previous tracks, guest vocals by Griotte singer Saramba Kouyaye.
4. **downtempo skank about our big American Uncle…
5. ***uptempo Soukouss hip-wiggler with female chorus.
6. **Midtempo bubble, male chorus
7. **midtempo skank, femle chorus, very pretty
8. ***midtempo skank, chorus does much of the singing, horn section shines.
9. ***downtempo skank with lots of great noises, rich sound.
10. **midtempo bubble, female chorus.
11. ***Starts with hand drums, uptempo African-flavored bounce.
12. ***gorgeous midtempo bubble, female chorus.