The Decade of Darkness, also referred to as 1990–2000 The Decade of Darkness, is an album by the American musician Afrika Bambaataa, released in 1991.[1][2] Bambaataa is credited with his backing musicians, the Family.[3] The Decade of Darkness was Bambaataa's first album for EMI Records.[4]
| The Decade of Darkness | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Afrika Bambaataa chronology | ||||
| ||||
The first single was "Just Get Up and Dance", which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.[5][6] It peaked at No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Production
editThe album was recorded in Italy, where Bambaataa worked with producers with backgrounds in Italian disco.[8][9] "Say It Loud (I'm Black, I'm Proud)" is a version of the James Brown song.[10] "Sweat" was inspired by Prince's song "Head".[11]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [12] |
| Calgary Herald | B[13] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [10] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B[14] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [11] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10[15] |
The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "another smoking mix of funk, rock, hip-hop and world beats and street-smart social commentary."[16] The Washington Post called it "a package of ambient, hip-house Euro-dance tracks."[8] The Calgary Herald wrote that the "first side is incendiary... Prime dance music, sorta like a '90s version of Chic packing heat."[13] Entertainment Weekly noted that, "unlike most of the trendy hip-house imitators currently working, [Bambaataa] has grit and soul... This album is one good street party, put together by an old master."[14]
AllMusic stated: "Fueled by righteous social commentary throughout the songs, the record showed that he wasn't creatively spent."[12]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Get Up and Dance" | |
| 2. | "Taste the Funk" | |
| 3. | "Sweat" | |
| 4. | "Save the World" | |
| 5. | "Can't Give You Up" | |
| 6. | "Power Boy Power" | |
| 7. | "Steppin' Hard Zulu Nation" | |
| 8. | "Freedom" | |
| 9. | "Soca Fever (Rock It)" | |
| 10. | "In a Minute" | |
| 11. | "Electro Funk Express" | |
| 12. | "Say It Loud (I'm Black, I'm Proud)" |
References
edit- ^ Murphy, Bill (November 1, 2004). "Return of the Funk Renegade". Remix.
- ^ "Afrika Bambaataa Biography by John Bush". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Gross, Jason. "Afrika Bambaataa". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ McAdams, Janine (Oct 12, 1991). "Real Rappers". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 41. p. 24.
- ^ Heim, Chris (4 Oct 1991). "For Afrika Bambaataa, it's been A Decade of Darkness...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. S.
- ^ "Afrika Bambaataa". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Afrika Bambaataa". Official Charts. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b Griffin, Gil (18 Oct 1991). "Hip-Hop Procedure: Parliamentary Funk". The Washington Post. p. N16.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (2nd ed.). Rough Guides Ltd. 1999. p. 53.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 8, 9.
- ^ a b "1990-2000: The Decade of Darkness Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b Tremblay, Mark (20 Oct 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C7.
- ^ a b Fox, Marisa (October 18, 1991). "The Decade of Darkness". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 27, 28.
- ^ Heim, Chris (13 Sep 1991). "Afrika Bambaataa, Thursday at Ka-Boom!". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. J.