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Victims (Lucky Dube album)

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Victims
Studio album by
Lucky Dube
Released1993
GenreReggae
LabelShanachie[1]
ProducerRichard Siluma, Simon Law
Lucky Dube chronology
House of Exile
(1991) 		Victims
(1993) 		Trinity
(1995)

Victims is an album by the South African musician Lucky Dube, released in 1993.[2][3] It has sold more than a million copies.[4] Lucky Dube supported the album with a North American tour.[5]

Production

[edit]

The album was produced by Richard Siluma and Simon Law.[6] The title track, about black-on-black crime, references Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".[7][8] "Keep On Knocking" is about the love of a mother for her child.[9] Lucky Dube based his lyrics on the experiences of real people, rather than news coverage of political events.[10] Lucky Dube used a horn section and emphasized a more rock guitar style.[11] Lucky Dube's backing band, the Slaves, performed on Victims.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Robert Christgau(dud)[14]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[15]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[16]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[17]

The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that "Lucky Dube's buttery baritone, Rasta preacher vibe and relaxed old-style groove will come as a delight to fans of the classic Wailers records."[17] The Chicago Tribune noted that the album "mixes Jamaican and African influences with a sharply modern pop-oriented approach."[18] The Tampa Tribune called it "an appealing blend of solid, grooving music with a concern for the plight of the oppressed."[19]

The Gazette determined that "the singer's studio delivery always seems less fiery, less passionate ... that has never been truer than on his latest release."[20] The Boston Globe stated that "smooth horns and a myriad of percussion instruments keep things moving seamlessly as Dube tackles his usual themes of oppression, racism and liberation in the spiritual and physical sense."[21] The Boston Herald concluded that Lucky Dube's "range of material—from heart-wrenching groovers to tough-minded reggae-rockers—and vivid arrangements make this album a contemporary roots reggae treasure."[22] The Columbus Dispatch included Victims on its list of the best albums of 1993.[23]

AllMusic wrote that the album "manages to ease him into a lighter, more commercial setting without diluting his message or sound."[13]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Different Colours / One People" 
2."Lovers in a Dangerous Time" 
3."Victims" 
4."My World" 
5."My Game" 
6."Keep On Knocking" 
7."Soldiers for Righteousness" 
8."You Know (Where to Find Me)" 
9."Johnny" 
10."Little Heroes" 

References

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  1. ^ Benarde, Scott (June 20, 1993). "World Harmony Links Music of Morrison, Clegg, Dube". The Palm Beach Post. p. 3J.
  2. ^ Barlow, Sean; Eyre, Banning (1995). Afropop!. Chartwell Books, Inc. p. 19.
  3. ^ Gehr, Richard (16 July 1993). "When Lucky Dube began singing reggae...". Weekend. Newsday. p. 77.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Lucky Dube". The Guardian. October 22, 2007.
  5. ^ Schulman, Sandra (18 June 1993). "Reggae Takes Lucky Dube's Message to the Masses". Features Showtime. Sun-Sentinel. p. 30.
  6. ^ "Album reviews — Victims by Lucky Dube". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 27. Jul 3, 1993. p. 48.
  7. ^ Eng, Monica (July 2, 1993). "Lucky Dube Sparks Reggae Explosion". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 27.
  8. ^ Havea, Jione; Neville, David J.; Wainwright, Elaine M. (March 15, 2014). Bible, Borders, Belonging(s): Engaging Readings from Oceania. Society of Biblical Lit.
  9. ^ Tanzilo, Robert (2 July 1993). "Reggae star to sing here". Feature. Milwaukee Sentinel.
  10. ^ Reilly, Terry (November 17, 1993). "Tuning in to the real thing". News. The Age. p. 17.
  11. ^ Morse, Steve (8 July 1993). "Reggae rhythms rolling in". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
  12. ^ Professor Skank (13 Aug 1993). "'Victims' Lucky Dube". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 8F.
  13. ^ a b "Lucky Dube Victims". AllMusic.
  14. ^ "Lucky Dube". Robert Christgau.
  15. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. pp. 141–142.
  16. ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 234.
  17. ^ a b Wood, Sam (29 June 1993). "Lucky Dube Victims". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E1.
  18. ^ Heim, Chris (2 July 1993). "Club and concert dates". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. R.
  19. ^ Booth, Philip (June 20, 1993). "The worldbeat goes on". Baylife. The Tampa Tribune. p. 10.
  20. ^ Feist, Daniel (31 July 1993). "Dube's intensity fails to make transition from stage to recording studio". The Gazette. p. D2.
  21. ^ Cawley, Jimmy (30 June 1994). "Lucky Dube Victims". Calendar. The Boston Globe.
  22. ^ Katz, Larry (July 9, 1993). "Discs". Boston Herald. p. S18.
  23. ^ "Best Albums 1993". The Columbus Dispatch. December 26, 1993. p. 7D.
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