At a time when the music industry favours singles over albums, Ghana's outspoken broadcast journalist and musician, Blakk Rasta, has released a 20-track album that many industry pundits refer to as a 'rare masterpiece.'
Salaga Soljah took five years to make, and every single track on the album was blessed with awesome doses of live instrumentation, combining analogue and digital powers.
The album was worked on by four Ghanaian sound engineers and a British-Ghanaian mastering engineer, David Kwamena Bolton.
The album opens with "Sodom & Gomorrah," a solidly crispy Reggae Roots Rockers track produced by Zapp Mallet and Abe.
The mid-tempo song is filled with heavy lyrics, addressing the issue of wickedness in society, with Blakk Rasta calling for divine intervention. This track has quickly become a fan favourite.
Blakk Rasta also delivers a rendition of Eric Donaldson's "Cherry Oh Cherry Oh Baby" in his native Dagbani language.
Originally intended to be a collaboration with the original singer, Eric Donaldson, the final product stands as an iconic piece in its own right.
"Salaga Soljah" showcases Blakk Rasta's versatility, as he sings in ten languages, including English, French, Dioulla, Dagbani, Twi, Gruni (Frafra), Hausa, Amharic, Sisaala, and Jamaican Patois.
One standout track is "Barber Shop," featuring Jamaica's Anthony B.
Together, the two artists explore the complex relationship between the Rastaman and the Barber, which Blakk Rasta describes as a 'friendship with an enemy of progress.'
This track, produced by HotMix, has already captivated many Reggae lovers in Ghana.
The album also features collaborations with other notable artists, such as Tiken Jah Fakoly on "Ohba Ohba Generation," produced by 2Lock and HotMix, and King Ayisoba on "Zupilgu Chip," a danceable tune that Ayisoba believes will be a hit in his hometown of Bolgatanga.
Blakk Rasta also ventures into controversy with "Kafan Kere," a Hausa song teasing the Dagaabas and Frafras as lovers of Dog meat.
Another standout track is "BE MY Wife (BMW)," which blends elements of salsa, Merengue, East African Bongo Flavour, Afrobeat, and Dancehall, creating a romantic and dance-worthy tune.
Salaga Soljah is in all digital stores across the world. It is an album that has so many favourites recorded carefully and made timeless and worth grabbing.
Blakk Rasta seems to have put all critics of his art to permanent sleep with Salaga Soljah.
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