Victims
Studio album by
Released1993
GenreReggae
LabelShanachie[1]
ProducerRichard Siluma, Simon Law
Lucky Dube chronology
House of Exile
(1991)
Victims
(1993)
Trinity
(1995)

Victims is an album by the South African musician Lucky Dube, released in 1993.[2][3] It has sold more than a million copies.[4] Lucky Dube supported the album with a North American tour.[5]

Production

The album was produced by Richard Siluma and Simon Law.[6] The title track, about black-on-black crime, references Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".[7][8] "Keep On Knocking" is about the love of a mother for her child.[9] Lucky Dube based his lyrics on the experiences of real people, rather than news coverage of political events.[10]

Lucky Dube used a horn section and emphasized a more rock guitar style.[11] Lucky Dube's backing band, the Slaves, performed on Victims.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Robert Christgau(dud)[14]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[15]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[16]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[17]

The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that "Lucky Dube's buttery baritone, Rasta preacher vibe and relaxed old-style groove will come as a delight to fans of the classic Wailers records."[17] The Chicago Tribune noted that the album "mixes Jamaican and African influences with a sharply modern pop-oriented approach."[18] The Tampa Tribune called it "an appealing blend of solid, grooving music with a concern for the plight of the oppressed."[19]

The Gazette determined that "the singer's studio delivery always seems less fiery, less passionate ... that has never been truer than on his latest release."[20] The Boston Globe stated that "smooth horns and a myriad of percussion instruments keep things moving seamlessly as Dube tackles his usual themes of oppression, racism and liberation in the spiritual and physical sense."[21] The Boston Herald concluded that Lucky Dube's "range of material—from heart-wrenching groovers to tough-minded reggae-rockers—and vivid arrangements make this album a contemporary roots reggae treasure."[22]

AllMusic wrote that the album "manages to ease him into a lighter, more commercial setting without diluting his message or sound."[13] The Columbus Dispatch included Victims on its list of the best albums of 1993.[23]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Different Colours/One People" 
2."Lovers in a Dangerous Time" 
3."Victims" 
4."My World" 
5."My Game" 
6."Keep On Knocking" 
7."Soldiers for Righteousness" 
8."You Know (Where to Find Me)" 
9."Johnny" 
10."Little Heroes" 

References

  1. Benarde, Scott (June 20, 1993). "WORLD HARMONY LINKS MUSIC OF MORRISON, CLEGG, DUBE". The Palm Beach Post. p. 3J.
  2. Barlow, Sean; Eyre, Banning (1995). Afropop!. Chartwell Books, Inc. p. 19.
  3. Gehr, Richard (16 July 1993). "When Lucky Dube began singing reggae...". Weekend. Newsday. p. 77.
  4. "Obituary: Lucky Dube". the Guardian. October 22, 2007.
  5. Schulman, Sandra (18 June 1993). "REGGAE TAKES LUCKY DUBE`S MESSAGE TO THE MASSES". FEATURES SHOWTIME. Sun-Sentinel. p. 30.
  6. "Album reviews — Victims by Lucky Dube". Billboard. 105 (27): 48. Jul 3, 1993.
  7. Eng, Monica (July 2, 1993). "Lucky Dube Sparks Reggae Explosion". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 27.
  8. Havea, Jione; Neville, David J.; Wainwright, Elaine M. (March 15, 2014). "Bible, Borders, Belonging(s): Engaging Readings from Oceania". Society of Biblical Lit via Google Books.
  9. Tanzilo, Robert (2 July 1993). "Reggae star to sing here". Feature. Milwaukee Sentinel.
  10. Reilly, Terry (November 17, 1993). "Tuning in to the real thing". News. The Age. p. 17.
  11. Morse, Steve (8 July 1993). "Reggae rhythms rolling in". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
  12. Professor Skank (13 Aug 1993). "'VICTIMS' LUCKY DUBE". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 8F.
  13. 1 2 "Lucky Dube - Victims Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  14. "Robert Christgau: CG: Lucky Dube". www.robertchristgau.com.
  15. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. pp. 141–142.
  16. MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 234.
  17. 1 2 Wood, Sam (29 June 1993). "LUCKY DUBE Victims". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E1.
  18. Heim, Chris (2 July 1993). "Club and concert dates". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. R.
  19. Booth, Philip (June 20, 1993). "The worldbeat goes on". BAYLIFE. The Tampa Tribune. p. 10.
  20. Feist, Daniel (31 July 1993). "Dube's intensity fails to make transition from stage to recording studio". The Gazette. p. D2.
  21. Cawley, Jimmy (30 June 1994). "LUCKY DUBE VICTIMS". Calendar. The Boston Globe.
  22. Katz, Larry (July 9, 1993). "DISCS". Boston Herald. p. S18.
  23. "BEST ALBUMS 1993". The Columbus Dispatch. December 26, 1993. p. 7D.
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