Sly Asher ADD

Review

Album Review: Sly Asher - New Vision

11/29/2024

by Gardy Stein

Sometimes, a new vision is needed to find a solution to pressing problems, to set a plan into motion or to imagine a better future. Whichever of these (or other) motivations is behind the eponymous album released in November by AZK Productions (Almighty Zion Keepers) and Baco Music, it is a fine addition to this year’s playlist, and one that deserves a closer look.    

Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Gouamené Gahié Francis aka Sly Asher started his career as bass-player in Abidjan back in 1985 and has steadily pursued the musical path ever since. After stops in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, he came to Europe in 2000/01 to play at festivals and work with several artists and producers and has now touched base again with his home country. His current oeuvre New Vision was recorded with Les Vieux Môgôs, a group formed around drummer Sam Koné of Alpha Blondy’s band Solar System as well as other Ivorian instrumentalists (Lucien Atse, Joel Gbanda, Olivier Koffi, Christian, Joseph (Big Jo), Waiper Saberty and Evariste Yacé), and the quality of the music is mesmerizing.

Starting with a piano intro, to which drumroll, brass section and a slow, grooving bass line add momentum, Je Suis Noir (‘I am black’) is a perfect example of the gripping, Africa-flavored Roots Reggae this band delivers. Sly, in a mix of French and English, sings about his new vision for Black people: to be proud!

Up next, Music is faster, more rock-oriented, telling us about the power of audible magic, while the subsequent Selassié is a praise to His Imperial Majesty. One of the most outstanding tracks of the album is The Lie. Comfortably nestled into a relaxed 70bpm one drop riddim, the arrangement, not following a classic verse-chorus-structure, includes several bridges, chord shifts and harmony singers. The song’s message doesn’t easily come across, however, as it is unclear who is lying to whom; all that I pick up is that Rastas “know what is right and what is wrong”.

Switching to French once more, Prions (‘Let us pray’) is calling the listeners to pick up any instrument they can find and come together to sing and pray, a request continued with the subsequent Believe I. This focus on spiritual matters of faith and God is pervasive throughout the album, and the next track Porte Élevez Vos Linteaux (‘door raise your lintels’) is no exception. While I’m not architect enough to understand what the title implies, it is clear that Sly Asher again praises Jah. Vérité talks about the hidden truth that has been revealed to the “simple of spirit”, condemning those who exploit the poor, before the album closes with two dubs (of The Lie and Prions), contributed by Timour Cardenas, who also signs responsible for mixing and mastering.

With eight original tracks and many positive messages, New Vision is a smooth affair, easy to listen to in full. It derives its strength from the amazing musicians that contributed to its creation, and from the conviction with which Sly Asher brings his lyrics across.

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