STYLE: Roots/Acoustic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 21504-12037 LABEL: Plankton PCDN161 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £10.00
Reviewed by Trevor Kirk
The many and various facets of the career of Ben Okafor have no place in this review - if you want to know more about this former Biafran boy soldier, political activist, actor, singer, songwriter and author, I can recommend a visit to Ben's website www.benokafor.com. Also, a recent Cross Rhythms article by Tony Cummings Redemption Songs From An Ex-Boy Soldier is also hugely informative. As regards this 2006 release, it's mainly Ben and his guitar (as you'd expect from the title) with some unobtrusive backing instruments and percussion. The whole idea was to recreate the feel of a live performance - Ben says that these songs have been part of his live sets for yonx, but he's never got round to putting them on an album. As anyone who's seen him live will testify, his philosophy is "educate, entertain and inform, and inspire people to ask the question 'How can we change this world?'" Running time is generous at over 67 minutes for 13 tracks, and production, thanks to the skills of Mark Stevens, is excellent.
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.
Posted by Paul Vincent in South London @ 21:10 on Feb 19 2007
This is a great album. It feels and sounds like a live album
- fresh and not over produced.
Possibly my favourite Ben Okafor album so far.
This album deserves to take him to a much wider audience.
If you've always liked Ben's music, but never bought an
album - now is the time to do so - or forever hang your head
in shame !
This is a great album. It feels and sounds like a live album - fresh and not over produced.
Possibly my favourite Ben Okafor album so far.
This album deserves to take him to a much wider audience.
If you've always liked Ben's music, but never bought an album - now is the time to do so - or forever hang your head in shame !