The Decade of Darkness
The Decade of Darkness | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Afrika Bambaataa chronology | ||||
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The Decade of Darkness, also referred to as 1990–2000 The Decade of Darkness, is an album by the African American musician Afrika Bambaataa, released in 1991.[1][2] Bambaataa is credited with his backing musicians, the Family.[3] The Decade of Darkness was Bambaataa's first album for the Italian label DFC (Dance Floor Corporation).[4]
The first single was "Just Get Up and Dance", which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.[5][6] It peaked at No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Production
The album was recorded in Italy, where Bambaataa worked with producers with backgrounds in Italian disco.[8][9] "Say It Loud (I'm Black, I'm Proud)" is a version of the James Brown song.[10] "Sweat" was inspired by Prince's song "Head".[11]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Calgary Herald | B[13] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B[14] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10[15] |
The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "another smoking mix of funk, rock, hip-hop and world beats and street-smart social commentary."[16] The Washington Post called it "a package of ambient, hip-house Euro-dance tracks."[8] The Calgary Herald wrote that the "first side is incendiary... Prime dance music, sorta like a '90s version of Chic packing heat."[13] Entertainment Weekly noted that, "unlike most of the trendy hip-house imitators currently working, [Bambaataa] has grit and soul... This album is one good street party, put together by an old master."[14]
AllMusic stated: "Fueled by righteous social commentary throughout the songs, the record showed that he wasn't creatively spent."[12]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Just Get Up and Dance" | |
2. | "Taste the Funk" | |
3. | "Sweat" | |
4. | "Save the World" | |
5. | "Can't Give You Up" | |
6. | "Power Boy Power" | |
7. | "Steppin' Hard Zulu Nation" | |
8. | "Freedom" | |
9. | "Soca Fever (Rock It)" | |
10. | "In a Minute" | |
11. | "Electro Funk Express" | |
12. | "Say It Loud (I'm Black, I'm Proud)" |
References
- ^ Murphy, Bill (November 1, 2004). "Return of the Funk Renegade". Remix.
- ^ "Afrika Bambaataa Biography by John Bush". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Gross, Jason. "Afrika Bambaataa". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ McAdams, Janine (Oct 12, 1991). "Real Rappers". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 41. p. 24.
- ^ Heim, Chris (4 Oct 1991). "For Afrika Bambaataa, it's been A Decade of Darkness...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. S.
- ^ "Afrika Bambaataa". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Afrika Bambaataa". Official Charts. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b Griffin, Gil (18 Oct 1991). "Hip-Hop Procedure: Parliamentary Funk". The Washington Post. p. N16.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. 1999. p. 53.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 8, 9.
- ^ a b "1990-2000: The Decade of Darkness Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b Tremblay, Mark (20 Oct 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C7.
- ^ a b Fox, Marisa (October 18, 1991). "The Decade of Darkness". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 27, 28.
- ^ Heim, Chris (13 Sep 1991). "Afrika Bambaataa, Thursday at Ka-Boom!". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. J.