Lucky Dube: The Rough Guide To Lucky Dube


Lucky Dube was the "king of South African reggae". He unfortunately lost his life a few years ago, which was a tragedy because he was a true reggae great. One of my all-time favourites.

His music combines traditional reggae sounds with the lilting, melodic music of the South African townships to great effect. What a beautiful, uplifting combination. His voice is intoxicating, full of personality. He uses female backing vocalists a lot too, the closest Jamaican artist to compare him to would be Peter Tosh. Lyrically, he is politically motivated but religiously observant, passionate and sensitive.

Personal highlights are Slave, Prisoner, Truth In The World, Feel Irie, We Love It and the incredibly moving, inspirational House Of Exile, about Nelson Mandela. I remember playing that while on holiday in South Africa, looking out at nothing but the countryside and the hills. An experience I will never forget. To be honest, all Dube's tracks are good ones. He released several albums, all of which are worth listening to. 

I would heartily recommend all these Lucky Dube albums - Slave from 1987, Prisoner from 1989 and House Of Exile from 1991. These are just three of the best of them. There are many more.

  

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