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Spirit of Love (Majek Fashek album)

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1991 studio album by Majek Fashek
Spirit of Love
Studio album by Majek Fashek
Released1991
LabelInterscope
ProducerLittle Steven, Majek Fashek
Majek Fashek chronology
I & I Experience
(1989) 		Spirit of Love
(1991) 		Rainmaker
(1997)

Spirit of Love is an album by the Nigerian musician Majek Fashek. It was released in 1991. Fashek was credited with the Prisoners of Conscience.

"Send Down the Rain" had been a major hit in Nigeria. Fashek supported the album by touring with Tracy Chapman.

Production

The album was produced by Little Steven, who also played guitar; Little Steven became interested after seeing Fashek perform at the Apollo Theater. It was recorded in Los Angeles and New York, with the Prisoners of Conscience numbering 12 members. Spirit of Love mixed reggae styles with jùjú music, employing talking drums on many tracks. "Majek Fashek in a New York" incorporated elements of dancehall.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Chicago Tribune
Los Angeles Daily News
Los Angeles Times
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide

The Chicago Tribune called the album "reggae with a more lively and sophisticated rhythmic sensibility." The Milwaukee Sentinel noted that Fashek "often resembles the young Bob Marley sometimes too closely," but praised his "charisma and spiritual fervor, supported by his band's African/reggae sound"; it listed the album as one of the 10 best of 1991. The Houston Chronicle also listed it as one of the best albums of the year.

The Boston Globe deemed the album "a joyous compilation of talking drums, maracas, horns and guitars." The Los Angeles Times concluded that Fashek "writes with character, depth and fire, but fails to stake out his own territory." The Virginian-Pilot stated that he "mixes tunes about suffering and politics with ones about longing and love, all the while blending reggae with rock, soul and the rhythms of Africa."

AllMusic wrote: "Seamlessly blending elements of juju with reggae, Fashek turns from imitator to innovator in a disc with so much clear-eyed enthusiasm and vision you'd think reggae was his personal invention."

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Majek Beware" 
2."So Long" 
3."Majek Fashek in a New York" 
4."Spirit of Love" 
5."Jah People" 
6."Religion Is Politics" 
7."Holy Spirit" 
8."Send Down the Rain" 
9."I'm Not Tired" 
10."I Come from de Ghetto" 

References

  1. LeVan, A. Carl; Ukata, Patrick (October 18, 2018). The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-252632-8.
  2. Fallon, B.R. (Aug 1992). "Do You Believe in Majek?". Spin. Vol. 8, no. 5. p. 32.
  3. Snowden, Don (31 July 1991). "New Artists Are Shaping World Music Pop Music". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 3.
  4. Loder, Kurt (Sep 1992). "Spirit of Love". Esquire. Vol. 118, no. 3. p. 84.
  5. ^ Cawley, Jimmy (13 Feb 1992). "Majek Fashek and the Prisoners of Conscience Spirit of Love". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
  6. Longsdorf, Amy (31 May 1992). "Chapman Won't Shake Off Musical 'Conscience' Role". The Morning Call. p. F1.
  7. Schoemer, Karen (11 June 1992). "Tracy Chapman Beacon Theater". The New York Times. p. C16.
  8. Zandt, Stevie Van (September 28, 2021). Unrequited Infatuations: A Memoir. Hachette Books. ISBN 9780306925412.
  9. Heim, Chris (23 Aug 1991). "One of the most popular styles in Africa right now...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
  10. Outerbridge, Laura (June 11, 1992). "Fashek: Singing in the rain". The Washington Times. p. M10.
  11. ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 262.
  12. Benarde, Scott (September 29, 1991). "Spirit of Love by Majek Fashek and the Prisoners of Conscience". The Palm Beach Post. p. 3L.
  13. ^ Heim, Chris (14 Nov 1991). "Rave recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 6.
  14. Aiges, Scott (October 11, 1991). "Fashek: Heir to Marley's Crown?". The Times-Picayune. p. L6.
  15. ^ Shuster, Fred (September 6, 1991). "Reggae". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L37.
  16. ^ "Spirit of Love". AllMusic.
  17. ^ Hochman, Steve (1 Mar 1992). "Majek Fashek, 'Spirit of Love'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 66.
  18. Higgins, Jim (27 Dec 1991). "Top 10: Freaks, U2, soul, Timbuk 3". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 10D.
  19. Racine, Marty; Mitchell, Rick (December 29, 1991). "Top 40 of '91 – Critics choose best albums of year". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 8.
  20. Morrison, Jim (September 27, 1991). "World Beat". Preview. The Virginian-Pilot. p. 8.
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