Ghanaian reggae and world artist Selasee Atiase swiftly sprinted into stardom when his debut album’s self-titled track “Run” was featured in the hit video game FIFA 2006. Following the game’s success, Selasee’s music gained even further momentum when his sophomore album African Gate was released in 2010 – rendering him additional songwriting awards to attach to his resume. Residing now in Colorado, Selasee sought out six other players over the past five years to form Selasee and the Fafa Family: a soothing blend of reggae, funk, world, jazz, jam band and – keeping his hometown of Accra in his heart – West African highlife.
Lyrically, each of the twelve tracks brings to the surface a broad range of strife and suffrage…
Time for Peace may be Selasee’s third full-length album, but it is the first for the adjoined Fafa Family who makes it differ in both style and demeanor. One prominent component is the soprano sax – an instrument not utilized as often as its alto, tenor and bass brothers. That, among other rare constituents, defines the Fafa Family sound as one of unique harmony alongside Selasee’s bilingual persona. Lyrically, each of the twelve tracks brings to the surface a broad range of strife and suffrage although the tone and timbre remain reposed to the end. For instance, the initial track “Fly Away” is a self-empowering mantra to learn your strengths in order to overcome life’s obstacles; the second song “Time for Peace” is Selasee’s first-hand account of African warfare during his childhood. Both songs are slow-paced and preach positive messages of perseverance although the subject matter changes drastically. The LP continues on in this fashion: addressing hardships such as human suffering in “Stop The Rain”; learning to appreciate the present in “Like The Water”; leaving home in “Mama Africa; loving one another’s differences in “Glory Days”; looking out for your loved ones in “Baby Sister”; losing your roots in “Plant A Seed”; turning over a new leaf in “Yes I Know”. The listener can’t help but to get motivated, to get enlightened, to get a fresh perspective on their personal journey in relation to the world around them. Ultimately, Selasee and the Fafa Family declares that out of darkness, there is light.
For more information about Selasee and the Fafa Family, give them a follow on Facebook or visit their website.
Preview and download Time for Peace from
Track listing
- Time for Peace (feat. Anthony B & Aston Family Man Barret)
- Fly Away
- Stop the Rain
- Mama Africa
- Glory Days
- The Love
- Which One
- Your Life in My Life
- Baby Sister
- Like the Water
- Plant a Seed
- Yes I Know
Stop the Rain
Released Feb 2, 2015
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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