Rise & Shine

by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Overview

As their name implies, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are refugees who came together in West Africa. Recorded in their homeland and in New Orleans -- another place torn apart, albeit for different reasons -- the debut disc they've created is a very powerful mix of rootsy West African music and reggae. Some of it is very rooted, like the drumming and singing of the opening "Muloma" or "Oruwiebie Magazine Bobo Medley," while the deliciously lengthy "Tamagbnodorsu" comes across like high-energy soukous, powered by some wonderful guitar. Reggae is the heartbeat of this album, drawing inspiration not only from Bob Marley but also the deeper spiritual strains of Burning Spear, whose influence can be heard on "Jah Come Down." But "Global Threat" and "Jah Mercy" stand as strong testaments of African reggae, and "Gbrr Mani" edges into an interesting African/dancehall mix. Whatever style they're using, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have a lot to say, and they say it very eloquently indeed. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/2010
Label:	Cumbancha
UPC:	0890846001183
Rank:	209578

Tracks

1. Muloma (Let Us Be United)
2. Global Threat
3. Oruwiebie/Magazine Bobo Medley
4. Living Stone
5. Dununya [the World]
6. Jah Mercy
7. Tamagbondorsu [the Rich Mock the Poor]
8. Bute Vange
9. Jah Come Down
10. Bend Down the Corner
11. Goat Smoke Pipe
12. Gbrr Mani [Trouble]
13. Watching All Your Ways

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars   Primary Artist
Greg Hicks   Trombone
Alhaji Jeffrey "Black Nature" Kamara   Rap,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Ashade Pearce   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Francis John "Franco" Langba   Vocals,Kongoma
Mark Mullins   Trombone
Reuben M. Koroma   Vocals,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Chris Velan   Guitar,Guest Artist
Mohammed "Funky" Bangura   Vocals,Harmonica
Idrissa "Malam" Bangura   Bass,Vocals
Abdul Rahim "Arahim" Kamara   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Troy Andews   Trombone,Guest Artist
Craig Klein   Trombone
Washboard Chaz Leary   Washboard,Guest Artist
Christopher Davies   Drums,Percussion
Alpha Keita   Guitar,Vocals
Augusrine Kobina Valcarcel   Guitar
Daniel Lavalie   Percussion
Dennis Bakarr Sanoh   Bass
Jahson Gbassay Bull   Guitar,Keyboards,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Mohamed "Makengoh" Kamara   Vocals,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Mustapha "Nico" Massaouoi   Percussion

Technical Credits

Zach Niles   Management,Photography
Christine Stauder   Management
Zack Smith   Photography
Jacob Edgar   Executive Producer
Efuah Grace Ampomah   Group Member
Alhaji Jeffrey "Black Nature" Kamara   Group Member
Ashade Pearce   Group Member
Traditional   Composer
Steve Berlin   Producer
Lane Gibson   Mastering
Mark Mullins   Horn Arrangements
Mark Bingham   Mixing,Engineer
Reuben M. Koroma   Composer,Group Member
Chris Velan   Engineer
Mohammed "Funky" Bangura   Arranger,Group Member
Idrissa "Malam" Bangura   Arranger,Group Member
Jeff Stuart Saltzman   Mixing
Kevin Morris   Management
Wesley Fontenot   Mixing,Engineer
Francis John "Franco" Langba   Composer,Group Member
Banker White   Photography,Creative Consultant
Aboubacar Sidi Toure   Engineer
Alex Reiser   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Photography
Alpha Keita   Composer
Bremen Donovan   Photography
Jahson Gbassay Bull   Composer,Group Member
Mohamed "Makengoh" Kamara   Composer,Group Member
Tim O'Malley   Design,Artwork