Africa Unite
Controlli

What can one expect after twenty-five years of honorable career from Africa Unite? Yet another excellent reggae album. Instead, here the music changes, and how it changes.

First of all, a new lineup: no brass (yes, you got it right, no brass), change of bassist and the addition of a new keyboardist to support Madaski. This is how "Controlli" is born, which is not a reggae album in the classic sense of the term, but it is a work strongly characterized by electronics and especially by dub.

It starts right away with "The Cage", a great opening track in which Bunna sings again in English, thus reviving the early days of Africa. Then follows the single Amantide, an excellent example of danceable and intelligent reggaeton at the same time, further enriched by the collaboration with Natasja. At this point, we encounter the first track sung by Madaski, the band's keyboardist and dubmaster. "In Nomine" is a harsh attack against the fake moralism of the Catholic Church which continues into the next track "Bit Crash". The album proceeds pleasantly and without any loss of style, always mixing danceable rhythms with deep and meaningful lyrics. In this regard, "Il Segreto Del Numero Scomparso" is worth mentioning, a track that talks about the will of the most powerful to manipulate news making the people believe what suits them the most and "Watch Out", a true dub anthem.

The album closes with "Vertigine", a beautiful electronic track featuring the historical ex-leader of Almamegretta, Raiz, and an intriguing cover of "Once In A Lifetime" by the Talking Heads. In short, 'Controlli' is truly a beautiful album that might wrinkle the nose of pure reggae lovers but will certainly remain a very important chapter in the history of Africa Unite. Because if a band after twenty-five years can still reinvent their sound, surprising their fans while staying true to their principles, then let me say, it is truly a great band, without ifs and buts.