New York-based, Japanese-born reggae producer Eisaku “Selector A” Yamaguchi says that “Reggae Loves Africa” is still very potent today.
In 2010, Selector A, released his highly-acclaimed album “Reggae Loves Africa” on VP Records that was inspired by what was happening in Africa.
The disc contains 12 potent tracks by leading reggae recorders, including Gargamel Buju Banton, Crowned Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown and Big Ship Captain Freddie McGregor.
Sadly, Africa remains fractious, prompting Selector A to dig into the archives for a follow-up album.
“Ten years after the release of ‘Reggae Loves Africa,’ many problems still remain unresolved on the continent,” he told Caribbean Life on Monday. “Individuals who are now 20 years old were only 10 when the album was released.
“Hence, I continue to urge the youths to consider contributing to the improvement of humanity in Africa,” he added.
Selector A did not disclose which artists or songs will make the cut for the 2024 release, but hinted that the project may be released this summer.
In 2009, when he released the first compilation album dedicated to Africa, he said sections of that continent were torn by strife that made headlines globally.
Selector A said there were Islamic uprisings in Somalia, and Boko Haram had launched an insurgency aimed at overthrowing Nigeria’s secular government and establishing an Islamic state that year.
He said he discovered the unifying message of reggae during the 1980s in his native Japan, stating that the banner of “One Love” has been the theme for his popular series.
Selector A said that since “Reggae Loves Africa” was released, he had dropped other powerful titles including “Reggae Loves Jah,” “Reggae Loves Rasta,” “Reggae Loves Romance” and “Reggae Loves Unity.”
The following are songs from “Reggae Loves Africa,” which was released in 2010: Mama Africa – Buju Banton; Africa – Screwdriver; Africa Shall Be Free – Warrior King; Calling Africa – Queen Ifrica; Africa – Freddie Mcgregor; One Way Ticket – Luciano; Talking Africa – Beres Hammond; Africa Here We Come – Morgan Heritage; Africa We Want To Go – Dennis Brown; Africa – Tony Rebel; Africa – Natural Black; and Africa Awaits – Tarrus Riley.
