Rasta Government is the third album from the young and increasingly impressive Guinean artist Takana Zion. This album sees him move away from some of the West African influences to a stronger ‘70s Jamaican rootsy feel, enhanced by the fact that it was recorded at the legendary Harry J studio in Jamaica with producers Sam Clayton and Stephen Stewart using musicians such as Sly Dunbar, Sticky Thompson and Robbie Lyn. The album is also mainly in English which suggests that Takana is hoping to appeal to wider audience and gain more of the international recognition he so rightly deserves.
He has been at times described the African version of Sizzla but this singjay star proves he can sing as well. Just listen to ‘My Music’, which sounds like a lovers tune, but the love here is not of a woman but of music and its qualities for spreading messages of freedom, hope and healing as a “medicine for the hopeless”. Elsewhere the lyrics tend to stick to good old Rasta subjects of praising Jah on ‘Give Thanks To Jah’ and ‘Glory’, a duet with Caplton. Slavery is tackled on ‘Stolen Family’ which harks towards Peter Tosh’s 400 years, while the title track ‘Rasta Government’ sings of a utopia a where a “natty dread government rules the world” and everyone lives in harmony with equal rights for all.
This album could no doubt bring comparisons to Marley with its musical sound and content but that would be a discredit to Takana who has self penned this album and is striding to make a mark for himself with what has to be one of the albums of the year so far.
He has been at times described the African version of Sizzla but this singjay star proves he can sing as well. Just listen to ‘My Music’, which sounds like a lovers tune, but the love here is not of a woman but of music and its qualities for spreading messages of freedom, hope and healing as a “medicine for the hopeless”. Elsewhere the lyrics tend to stick to good old Rasta subjects of praising Jah on ‘Give Thanks To Jah’ and ‘Glory’, a duet with Caplton. Slavery is tackled on ‘Stolen Family’ which harks towards Peter Tosh’s 400 years, while the title track ‘Rasta Government’ sings of a utopia a where a “natty dread government rules the world” and everyone lives in harmony with equal rights for all.
This album could no doubt bring comparisons to Marley with its musical sound and content but that would be a discredit to Takana who has self penned this album and is striding to make a mark for himself with what has to be one of the albums of the year so far.
Go Here to hear snipets from the album
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