Search - Linton Kwesi Johnson :: Forces of Victory

A Classic

John Tardiff | Denver, CO United States | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the greatest poets of our time, he also happens to be a tremendous reggae artist. He has a master guitar player and lays down some classic tunes on this, his finest recording. A must have for anyone who enjoys reggae. Fight dem bak, down de road are 2 totally unique songs that defy classification.This is one of my favorite recordings of all times."

Reggae on a Higher Level

M. Vassallo | . | 08/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is LKJ's second album, by far his best, and it is reggae like you've never heard it before: It avoids many of the cliches of the genre and charters new territory for music in general. It features LKJ's distinctive deep, mournful voice, reciting his poems over wonderfully complex and layered productions. Each song ends with extended jams, full of heavy dub-style effects and very elegant lead guitar work. The lyrics are primarily about battling racism in England, continuing his theme from his first recording, Dread Beat and Blood. Each song is a gem to be listened to over and over. This is meditative, deep music, filled with tension and menace, but has an intelligence and hypnotic mood that is very rewarding."

Unforgettable

gmemphis | 10/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Acquired the LP in the early 80's at the recommendation of a friend from Senegal (Senegambia then). In the 90s made a cassette copy of the album & wore out the title track on the drive in to work every day; it's phenomenal. Deeply appreciate LKJ, Dennis Bovell, & whoever made it available on CD. . . keep it alive & morphing with the tech, OK?



From memory:



We're the forces of viktry and we're comin' right through

We're the forces of viktry now whatcha gonna do. . .

Dressed in red and feelin' dread

Dressed in green and feelin' mean

Dressed in purple and dressed in yella

Dressed in blue and we're comin' right through. . .



The instrumental behind & beyond lifts your mind into eternal sky while never forsaking the earth of your manifestation. As another European poet expressed it earlier in the last millenia (likewise with sublime instrumental):



Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen

Durch des Himmels pracht'gen Plan

Laufet, Bruder eure Bahn,

Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen!

"