3968 CR13

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It might be hard to visualize a white French band doing justice to dancehall music, but due to hard work and a steady output of material, the Marseilles quintet Massilia Sound System can hold their head high. In fact, the band's previous album, Marseilles London Experience, was a collaboration with the mighty Mad Professor and the phenomenal Robotics band. Massilia Sound System's 10th album, 3968 CR13, finds these self-proclaimed "troubbamuffins" again fusing dancehall with elements of French café music, in addition to rock and Middle Eastern melodies. The 19 songs are sung in French, but the lyrical flow is rhythmically solid and vocally dynamic even if you have no idea what they are saying. The backing tracks are tasteful as well, as the beats never get too hyperactive and the background textures never become too one dimensional. As this is the band's first album to see stateside distribution, this is an opportunity to hear something out of the ordinary, if a bit obscure. –-Tad Hendrickson

Tracks:

3968 C1 13
Lauvre De Nous
Fus N'er De Reggae
Jovent
Y'a Des Fois
Bouteille Sur Bouteille
Elles Ont Des Pilotis
Occitanin Hokin
Tout Le Monde Ment
Tartarassas P Vautors
La Fille De Selecta
Vida
Triste Es Loo Trin
Tenson Du Bambou
Doca Amiga
Quand J'Etais Minot
L'Eclat De La Rose
Mefi!
Lei Companhs De Fin Amor

Amazon.com

It might be hard to visualize a white French band doing justice to dancehall music, but due to hard work and a steady output of material, the Marseilles quintet Massilia Sound System can hold their head high. In fact, the band's previous album, Marseilles London Experience, was a collaboration with the mighty Mad Professor and the phenomenal Robotics band. Massilia Sound System's 10th album, 3968 CR13, finds these self-proclaimed "troubbamuffins" again fusing dancehall with elements of French café music, in addition to rock and Middle Eastern melodies. The 19 songs are sung in French, but the lyrical flow is rhythmically solid and vocally dynamic even if you have no idea what they are saying. The backing tracks are tasteful as well, as the beats never get too hyperactive and the background textures never become too one dimensional. As this is the band's first album to see stateside distribution, this is an opportunity to hear something out of the ordinary, if a bit obscure. --Tad Hendrickson

Average customer rating:

Vive le Reggae Francais!

3968 Cr13
Massilia Sound System
Manufacturer: Scalen
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004UFCC
Release Date: 2000-08-18

Album Details

Reggae / Raggamuffin from the South of France.

Customer Reviews:

Vive le Reggae Francais!.......2000-11-20

This is one of the best "international" CDs I have listened to in a while. A mix of reggae, traditional French sounds, Meditteranean sounds and language.

Listening to this CD is an experience. You will want to listen to it in one sitting.Tracks range from modern sounding dub-reggae to updated traditional sounds. They are presented seamlessly throughout the CD with some amusing conversation and sounds.

The cover art revolves around a Citroen 2CV, and one can imagine that the band is taking you around on a tour of Marseille in this little car - sound effects and all.

If you like Reggae, African music or even French traditional music you will enjoy this - even if you don't understand the words.

Track Listings: