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Frequently Bought Together
Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Muloma (Let Us Be United) |
| 2. Global Threat |
| 3. Oruwiebie |
| 4. Magazine Bobo Medley |
| 5. Living Stone |
| 6. Dununya (The World) |
| 7. Jah Mercy |
| 8. Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock The Poor) |
| 9. Bute Vange |
| 10. Jah Come Down |
| 11. Bend Down The Corner |
| 12. Goat Smoke Pipe |
| 13. Gbrr Mani (Trouble) |
| 14. Watching All Your Ways |
Product Description
Review
They say every cloud has a silver lining, and if any good came out of the appalling civil war that devastated their country between 1991 and 2002, it must be Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. It’s thought that around a third of the population fled as a result of the conflict, with many settling for years in refugee camps in neighbouring Guinea, which is where this band had its genesis.
Arriving six years after their debut album, Living Like a Refugee, Rise & Shine finds the group moving from describing what life is like for a refugee to getting on with rebuilding their lives, and directing their gaze towards more general concerns, judging by their lyrics. Thus, Global Threat addresses climate change, disarmament and food shortages, while Goat Smoke Pipe is a sly allegory about post-war corruption and inequality in Sierra Leone. And there are love songs, such as Muloma and the lovely, skanking Bend Down the Corner.
As before, a loose-limbed, semi-acoustic take on roots reggae is their default setting, but the core eight-member group (not counting ‘band mother’ Sister Grace) has several talented songwriters aside from spokesman Reuben M Koroma, which makes for a pleasing array of other styles. Gbrr Mani toys with ragga and features a rap by the youthful Black Nature, while Tamagbondorsu is a Congolese-style soukous. Dununya has a distinctly Guinean feel, and local indigenous roots styles are showcased on Bute Vange and Oruwiebie/Magazine Bobo, the latter “a blend of ‘secret society’ meeting song and spiritual incantations”, powered by the rustic plunking of a kongoma (giant thumb piano).
Three tracks feature the welcome addition of The Bonerama Horns, and there are contrasting harmonica cameos by guest Chris Velan (Bend Down the Corner) and Mohammed Bangura (Oruwiebe/Magazine Bobo), who plays with one hand, having been ‘amputated’ by thugs during the war.
Despite all the hellish things the group’s members have been through, their music emanates a life-affirming positivity. Producer Steve Berlin deftly mixes rough-and-ready studio and field recordings, punctuating the songs with atmospheric snippets of insect and frog calls, and there’s good sequencing and a variety of voices. It all adds up to a solidly engaging listen. --Jon Lusk
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CD Description
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have risen like a phoenix from the ashes of destruction to create this infectious and celebratory new record. For the follow up to their acclaimed debut, Living Like a Refugee, the band began recording in their hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone then traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to work with the highly accomplished producer Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Angélique Kidjo, Rickie Lee Jones). The All Stars immediately felt at home in New Orleans, not only because the hot climate and spicy food reminded them of Africa, but also because the residents of the Crescent City have firsthand experience with the bitterness of exile and the redemptive power of music. Their latest album reflects how far the band has come in the past few years, after multiple international tours and recording experience with the likes of Aerosmith and Mavis Staples. With an expert producer at the helm, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have realized a unique and seamlessly coherent sound: a fusion of traditional West African music and roots reggae, inflected with New Orleans styles. The album’s 13 tracks embrace the wide array of musical influences the All Stars have encountered on their journey so far. BBC Radio 3 World on 3 Session/Interview Tour: JUNE 13 London:Sanctuary festival 15 London: Momo 17 Cardiff: Refugee week 18 Hull: Refugee Week 19 Liverpool: Africa Oye 23/24 Charlton Park UK: Womad 24 Cambridge UK: Heart of the World Tracks: Muloma (Let Us Be United) / Global Threat / Oruwiebie / Magazine Bobo Medley / Living Stone / Dununya (The World) / Jah Mercy / Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock The Poor) / Bute Vange / Jah Come Down / Bend Down The Corner /Goat Smoke Pipe / Gbrr Mani (Trouble) / Watching All Your Ways
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a very strong album, a quality production; the booklet, the musicianship, and the actual production. Some background to the name. Sierra Leone is a West African nation bordered by Guinea and Liberia and like Liberia it has had a succession of Governments and has suffered
horrific civil war with resultant fleeing of population. Some of these band members have seen more in their lifetime than any human might expect. Two have lost their limbs, one saw his family executed. The band formed out of refugee camps with Canadian refugee aid and UNHCR assistance. Yet despite it all their music is optimistic, buoyant and exhilarating. It resonates and pulses with life.
The musicianship both vocally and instrumentally is impressive. Their reggae could well be the best outside Jamaica, rootsy and not turgid as some reggae gets, but very danceable. The African material whether traditional or (for example) the fast soukous style of Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock The Poor) has the percussive complexity and vocal call and response harmonies you might expect. All tracks except two were recorded in studio at New Orleans and Freetown, Sierra Leone. The excellent production is by saxophonist Steve Berlin whose credentials include Los Lobos, Angelique Kidjo, Michelle Shocked, John Lee Hooker, Leo Kottke, Rickie Lee Jones and Ozomatli.
All tracks are written and sung by various band members except Oruwiebe/Magazine Bobo which is traditional being a blend of "secret society'' meeting song and spiritual incantations, and Bute Vange, a medley of traditional songs recorded live in Japan. The informative and attractive booklet contains lyrics both in Sierra Leone's predominant tongue, Krio, and English.
The subject matter includes the power and pain of love, global pollution and warming, slavery, poverty, songs of the spirit, political satire with the intriguing title, Goat Smoke Pipe, and parental responsibility. While some of the lyrics tend towards the didactic, some also use metaphor which adds interest. But the overriding sense is one of optimism and love of life. It is indicative that a number of guest New Orleans musicians appear, a town which shares displacement and knows the healing power of music.
Rise and Shine is a terrific marriage of West African and West Indian musics. It is not clichéd like much studio manufactured pop but is immediate, fresh and lively with many highlights. Check guest New Orleans muso Troy Andrews' fabulous trombone solos, the punchy organic Bonerama horns (and I hope they are included in future recordings), Bobby Lewis' eloquent harmonica, the articulate guitar work of members and guests but most of all the great vocals of the various lead vocalists and the harmonies of the group itself. Even the Krio rapping on a couple of tracks by young band member Black Nature with his gruff sandpaper voice in rapid toasting style - and I'm not a big rap fan - is attractive. In conclusion if you enjoy real music do yourself a favour and buy it. You won't be disappointed.
horrific civil war with resultant fleeing of population. Some of these band members have seen more in their lifetime than any human might expect. Two have lost their limbs, one saw his family executed. The band formed out of refugee camps with Canadian refugee aid and UNHCR assistance. Yet despite it all their music is optimistic, buoyant and exhilarating. It resonates and pulses with life.
The musicianship both vocally and instrumentally is impressive. Their reggae could well be the best outside Jamaica, rootsy and not turgid as some reggae gets, but very danceable. The African material whether traditional or (for example) the fast soukous style of Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock The Poor) has the percussive complexity and vocal call and response harmonies you might expect. All tracks except two were recorded in studio at New Orleans and Freetown, Sierra Leone. The excellent production is by saxophonist Steve Berlin whose credentials include Los Lobos, Angelique Kidjo, Michelle Shocked, John Lee Hooker, Leo Kottke, Rickie Lee Jones and Ozomatli.
All tracks are written and sung by various band members except Oruwiebe/Magazine Bobo which is traditional being a blend of "secret society'' meeting song and spiritual incantations, and Bute Vange, a medley of traditional songs recorded live in Japan. The informative and attractive booklet contains lyrics both in Sierra Leone's predominant tongue, Krio, and English.
The subject matter includes the power and pain of love, global pollution and warming, slavery, poverty, songs of the spirit, political satire with the intriguing title, Goat Smoke Pipe, and parental responsibility. While some of the lyrics tend towards the didactic, some also use metaphor which adds interest. But the overriding sense is one of optimism and love of life. It is indicative that a number of guest New Orleans musicians appear, a town which shares displacement and knows the healing power of music.
Rise and Shine is a terrific marriage of West African and West Indian musics. It is not clichéd like much studio manufactured pop but is immediate, fresh and lively with many highlights. Check guest New Orleans muso Troy Andrews' fabulous trombone solos, the punchy organic Bonerama horns (and I hope they are included in future recordings), Bobby Lewis' eloquent harmonica, the articulate guitar work of members and guests but most of all the great vocals of the various lead vocalists and the harmonies of the group itself. Even the Krio rapping on a couple of tracks by young band member Black Nature with his gruff sandpaper voice in rapid toasting style - and I'm not a big rap fan - is attractive. In conclusion if you enjoy real music do yourself a favour and buy it. You won't be disappointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
seen this group live at WOMAD. They are better live than on disc but that's no bad thing. The album is an african version of happy Bob Marley type reggae songs, with a more modern twist. If you like your reggae fresh, uplifting and light hearted, this is the CD for you. Memories of swaying in front of the main stage keep flooding back and .....this is great music to do the hoovering too. There is a message of hope in all of ths music and I can see how this entertained everyone in the refugee camp. The lady in the next tent recommended them as she had seen them several times and her husband was Sierra Leone! go on - go buy it!!! it will make you smile
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Quality Roots Music via Sierra Leone and New Orleans
24 May 2010
Format:Audio CD
This is a very strong album, a quality production; the booklet, the musicianship, and the actual production. Some background to the name. Sierra Leone is a West African nation bordered by Guinea and Liberia and like Liberia it has had a succession of Governments and has suffered
horrific civil war with resultant fleeing of population. Some of these band members have seen more in their lifetime than any human might expect. Two have lost their limbs, one saw his family executed. The band formed out of refugee camps with Canadian refugee aid and UNHCR assistance. Yet despite it all their music is optimistic, buoyant and exhilarating. It resonates and pulses with life.
The musicianship both vocally and instrumentally is impressive. Their reggae could well be the best outside Jamaica, rootsy and not turgid as some reggae gets, but very danceable. The African material whether traditional or (for example) the fast soukous style of Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock The Poor) has the percussive complexity and vocal call and response harmonies you might expect. All tracks except two were recorded in studio at New Orleans and Freetown, Sierra Leone. The excellent production is by saxophonist Steve Berlin whose credentials include Los Lobos, Angelique Kidjo, Michelle Shocked, John Lee Hooker, Leo Kottke, Rickie Lee Jones and Ozomatli.
All tracks are written and sung by various band members except Oruwiebe/Magazine Bobo which is traditional being a blend of "secret society'' meeting song and spiritual incantations, and Bute Vange, a medley of traditional songs recorded live in Japan. The informative and attractive booklet contains lyrics both in Sierra Leone's predominant tongue, Krio, and English.
The subject matter includes the power and pain of love, global pollution and warming, slavery, poverty, songs of the spirit, political satire with the intriguing title, Goat Smoke Pipe, and parental responsibility. While some of the lyrics tend towards the didactic, some also use metaphor which adds interest. But the overriding sense is one of optimism and love of life. It is indicative that a number of guest New Orleans musicians appear, a town which shares displacement and the healing power of music.
Rise and Shine is a terrific marriage of West African and West Indian musics. It is not clichéd like much studio manufactured pop but is immediate, fresh and lively with many highlights. Check guest New Orleans muso Troy Andrews' fabulous trombone solos, the punchy organic Bonerama horns (and I hope they are included in future recordings), Bobby Lewis' eloquent harmonica, the articulate guitar work of members and guests but most of all the great vocals of the various lead vocalists and the harmonies of the group itself. Even the Krio rapping on a couple of tracks by young band member Black Nature with his gruff sandpaper voice in rapid toasting style - and I'm not a big rap fan - is attractive. In conclusion if you enjoy real music do yourself a favour and buy it. You won't be disappointed.
horrific civil war with resultant fleeing of population. Some of these band members have seen more in their lifetime than any human might expect. Two have lost their limbs, one saw his family executed. The band formed out of refugee camps with Canadian refugee aid and UNHCR assistance. Yet despite it all their music is optimistic, buoyant and exhilarating. It resonates and pulses with life.
The musicianship both vocally and instrumentally is impressive. Their reggae could well be the best outside Jamaica, rootsy and not turgid as some reggae gets, but very danceable. The African material whether traditional or (for example) the fast soukous style of Tamagbondorsu (The Rich Mock The Poor) has the percussive complexity and vocal call and response harmonies you might expect. All tracks except two were recorded in studio at New Orleans and Freetown, Sierra Leone. The excellent production is by saxophonist Steve Berlin whose credentials include Los Lobos, Angelique Kidjo, Michelle Shocked, John Lee Hooker, Leo Kottke, Rickie Lee Jones and Ozomatli.
All tracks are written and sung by various band members except Oruwiebe/Magazine Bobo which is traditional being a blend of "secret society'' meeting song and spiritual incantations, and Bute Vange, a medley of traditional songs recorded live in Japan. The informative and attractive booklet contains lyrics both in Sierra Leone's predominant tongue, Krio, and English.
The subject matter includes the power and pain of love, global pollution and warming, slavery, poverty, songs of the spirit, political satire with the intriguing title, Goat Smoke Pipe, and parental responsibility. While some of the lyrics tend towards the didactic, some also use metaphor which adds interest. But the overriding sense is one of optimism and love of life. It is indicative that a number of guest New Orleans musicians appear, a town which shares displacement and the healing power of music.
Rise and Shine is a terrific marriage of West African and West Indian musics. It is not clichéd like much studio manufactured pop but is immediate, fresh and lively with many highlights. Check guest New Orleans muso Troy Andrews' fabulous trombone solos, the punchy organic Bonerama horns (and I hope they are included in future recordings), Bobby Lewis' eloquent harmonica, the articulate guitar work of members and guests but most of all the great vocals of the various lead vocalists and the harmonies of the group itself. Even the Krio rapping on a couple of tracks by young band member Black Nature with his gruff sandpaper voice in rapid toasting style - and I'm not a big rap fan - is attractive. In conclusion if you enjoy real music do yourself a favour and buy it. You won't be disappointed.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Not to be missed!
12 May 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase
The band brilliantly combines traditional and contemporary music styles to create a timeless classic. Reggae, traditional styles of Sierra Leone, influences of Caribbean music, play of voices and instruments. Watch the DVD on their story: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. This album is a great deal. And if you get an opportunity to see them - they're touring now- don't miss them. Their live performance, and this CD, will get you dancing, or at least moving your whole body. I had an opportunity to see them live, and danced, and watched the band dance. It was uplifting, healing, and entrancing. My heart danced with joy, then lied down, at peace and love. It's my new favorite album.
:)
1 Jun 2011
This is the newest of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars albums. It is filled with nothing but positivity. This band sends a great message to listeners and I for sure suggest you making this purchase for you will not be disappointed.
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