Hymns For The Rebel Soul

Rocky Dawuni – Hymns for the Rebel Soul
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/28/10
Roots rock reggae from Africa. The fifth album by the “Ghanian Bob Marley”. He’s apparently been on the cusp of global stardom for the last few albums – who knows, maybe this will be the one. It’s quite commercially produced, but not in an obnoxious way – it’s a bit sweet for my tastes, but pleasant to listen to, and Dawuni sings well and has strong lyrics. No FCCs. I like track 2 and 7 best.
1. 4:41 **brief squeeps and speaking intro, then midtempo mellow bubble w/ high horn fanfares.
2. 4:30 *****starts with gorgeous (long) sample from Ladysmith Black Mambaso, then strong downtempo groove (to the tune of Cherry Oh Baby!) – good sound.
3. 5:04 mellow downtempo smooth groove with wooble sounds, love song.
4. 4:33 **slow swingy percussion, acoustic guitar, between nyahbinghi and samba – mellow, but with serious lyrics.
5. 4:45 ***midtempo afro-jazz groove with female backing vocals, commercial sounding but pleasant.
6. 5:11 ***midtempo relaxed bubble. Bits of falsetto, both male and female backing vocals.
7. 4:15 ****falsetto vocals, stuttering downtempo bubble – interesting sound.
8. 4:40 **acoustic guitar strumming, midtempo folk/nyahbinghi with choir and tinges of Spanish guitar. Very pretty, not quite sure whether it’s all religious or has political overtones.
9. 4:54 **a bit downtempo one-drop/bubble, pop production. Jaunty whistling…
10. 3:55 ***bouncy downtempo bubble with a bit of Motown feel in the falsetto vocals, positivity lyrics.
11. 4:12 *acoustic guitar and finger snaps, sort of an island groove, song about love – pleasant.