Jérusalem is an album by the Ivorian musician Alpha Blondy, released in 1986.[1][2] Blondy recorded the album in Jamaica, backed by the Wailers.[3] It sold more than 300,000 copies in France.[4] Blondy sang the title track in Arabic, English, French, and Hebrew, in a effort to bridge Middle Eastern cultures.[5]
Critical reception
Robert Christgau noted that, "at worst [Blondy] puts out a finer grade of generic Wailers than Rita's ever going to front, and three cuts sound like acts of genius rather than strokes of luck".[7] Spin opined that Blondy's "light, delicately-phrased vocals together with the Wailers tight, massive drum 'n' bass-propelled breakdown feels more inspired by Pablo Moses than anyone else."[8]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Alpha Blondy.
Side one| Title |
|---|
| 1. | "Jérusalem" | 7:48 |
|---|
| 2. | "Politiqui" | 6:35 |
|---|
| 3. | "Bloodshed in Africa" | 4:19 |
|---|
| 4. | "I Love Paris" | 5:15 |
|---|
Side two| Title |
|---|
| 1. | "Kalachnikov Love" | 5:20 |
|---|
| 2. | "Travailler C'est Trop Dur" | 3:17 |
|---|
| 3. | "Miwa" | 5:04 |
|---|
| 4. | "Boulevard" | 5:26 |
|---|
| 5. | "Dji" | 2:45 |
|---|
| Total length: | 45:49 |
|---|
References
- ^ Moskowitz, David V. (2005). Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall. ABC-CLIO. p. 37.
- ^ McCann, Ian (10 July 1993). "Planet Skank". Billboard. p. R2.
- ^ Snowden, Don (21 February 1988). "Alpha Blondy's Multicultural Universe". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 76.
- ^ Schnurmacher, Thomas (15 March 1988). "West Indian reggae star Alpha Blondy...". The Gazette. Montreal. p. E5.
- ^ Snider, Burr (17 March 1988). "The Reggae Vacuum Is Being Filled". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 12.
- ^ Bush, Nathan. "Jerusalem – Alpha Blondy". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Alpha Blondy". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Mapp, Ben (March 1988). "Spins". Spin. Vol. 3, no. 10. p. 27.