True Democracy (album)
True Democracy is an album by the reggae band Steel Pulse, released in 1982.[6][7]
True Democracy | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 1982 | |||
Recorded | "Feedback" Studios, Aarhus, Denmark, 1981 | |||
Genre | Reggae | |||
Length | 41:50 | |||
Label | Elektra[1] | |||
Producer | Karl Pitterson | |||
Steel Pulse chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Robert Christgau | B[3] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [5] |
The album peaked at No. 120 on the Billboard 200.[8]
Production
When the band started work on the album, they had no record deal.[9] While on tour in New York in 1981 they met Karl Pitterson, with whom they recorded five demos.[9] While the demos didn't prompt any offers from major labels, a small Danish label offered their studios to record an album.[9]
The album was recorded over 25 days at Feedback Studios in Aarhus, with Pitterson producing.[10][11]
The album was eventually picked up by Elektra Records.[9]
Critical reception
The Washington Post called True Democracy "a cheerful album, almost buoyant in its musical exhortations to dance even as its lyrics tackle less-than-merry topics."[1]
Style Weekly, in 2018, called it "still ... one of the most danceable political albums ever."[12]
Track listing
All tracks written by David Hinds, except where noted.
- "Chant A Psalm" – 4:30
- "Ravers" – 3:56
- "Find It...Quick!" – 3:26
- "A Who Responsible?" – 3:54
- "Worth His Weight In Gold (Rally Round)" – 4:35
- "Leggo Beast" – 3:44
- "Blues Dance Raid" – 4:53
- "Your House" – 3:42
- "Man No Sober" – 4:29
- "Dub Marcus Say" (Phonso Martin) – 4:41
Bonus tracks for CD
- "Ravers [12" Version]" - 5:56
- "Leggo Beast [12" Version]" - 6:40
- "Your House [Dub Version]" - 3:50
- "A Who Responsible? [Dub Version]" - 4:00
Personnel
- Steel Pulse
- Ronald "Stepper" McQueen - bass
- Steve "Grizzly" Nesbitt - drums
- Selwyn "Bumbo" Brown - keyboard, vocals
- Alphonso Martin - percussion, vocals
- David Hinds - guitar, vocals
- Basil Gabbidon - lead guitar
- Technical
- Cover Concept - Steel Pulse
- Art Direction - Ron Coro
- Design - Kathy Morphesis
- Photography - Eric Watson
References
- "Uncompromised Edge of Steel Pulse". The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "True Democracy - Steel Pulse | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- "Robert Christgau: CG: Steel Pulse". www.robertchristgau.com.
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. pp. 727–728.
- The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 669.
- "Steel Pulse | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- "Steel Pulse". Trouser Press. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "Steel Pulse". Billboard.
- Campbell, Howard (2022) "True reflections", Jamaica Observer, 9 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022
- Van Pelt, Carter (1995). "Roots Resurrection". The Beat. 14 (2): 46.
- "Billboard's Recommended LPs". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 21. 29 May 1982. p. 65.
- "Ziggy Marley and Steel Pulse at Innsbrook After Hours". Style Weekly.