Spirit of Love (Majek Fashek album)

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Spirit of Love
Studio album by
Majek Fashek
Released1991
LabelInterscope[1]
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.[2] It was released in 1991.[3] Fashek was credited with the Prisoners of Conscience.[4]

"Send Down the Rain" had been a major hit in Nigeria.[5] Fashek supported the album by touring with Tracy Chapman.[6][7]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Little Steven, who also played guitar; Little Steven became interested after seeing Fashek perform at the Apollo Theater.[8][9][10] It was recorded in Los Angeles and New York, with the Prisoners of Conscience numbering 12 members.[11][12] Spirit of Love mixed reggae styles with jùjú music, employing talking drums on many tracks.[13][14] "Majek Fashek in a New York" incorporated elements of dancehall.[15]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[16]
Chicago Tribune[13]
Los Angeles Daily News[15]
Los Angeles Times[17]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[11]

The Chicago Tribune called the album "reggae with a more lively and sophisticated rhythmic sensibility."[13] 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.[18] The Houston Chronicle also listed it as one of the best albums of the year.[19]

The Boston Globe deemed the album "a joyous compilation of talking drums, maracas, horns and guitars."[5] The Los Angeles Times concluded that Fashek "writes with character, depth and fire, but fails to stake out his own territory."[17] 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."[20]

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."[16]

Track listing[edit]

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[edit]

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b Shuster, Fred (September 6, 1991). "Reggae". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L37.
  16. ^ a b "Spirit of Love". AllMusic.
  17. ^ a b 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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