STEEL PULSE – “African Holocaust”
Ras, 2004

Steel Pulse needs no introduction after all these years. But just in case you’ve somehow missed them: SP is perhaps the most important British reggae group ever (despite releasing only a dozen or so full albums in 25 years). Featuring a big, bubbly, layered sound and David Hinds’ sweet but serious vocals, they make nods to current trends but stay true to their base combination of political roots and soul. This is their first album of new material in seven years, and it’s solid. Play it!

All good! Fo’s picks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 13

1. fade-out intro, then uptempo with environmental message, soulful breaks
2. dancehall energy & breaks, lots of guitar & horns, Rasta lyrics
3. conspiracy-minded plea to find true religion; perky beat & horn riffs
4. upbeat roots anthem in a classic style: “gonna make us a nation”
5. bouncy, cute, almost like a children’s song… listen for blues harmonica!
6. strong roots-dub groove: down with “WMD”s everywhere
7. midtempo revolutionary anthem with an r&b touch
8. uptempo 70s/80s-style roots: a story of slavery w/rock guitar in the mix
9. extra-bouncy beat, in honor of history’s rebel leaders; dancehall breaks
10. midtempo soul-reggae, about racism; smooth sax in the mix
11. a Bob Dylan cover! surprisingly upbeat, touches of acoustic guitar
12. bubbly beat, strong roots with African instruments/vocals mixed in
13. another tribute to black revolutionary George Jackson (see track 11)

[ Fo ] – 12/6/2004