Raggasonic Discography of CDs

Raggasonic CD discography The raggamuffin duo of Big Red and Daddy Mory from the French West Indies got very popular in France very quickly with their solid debut disc, Raggasonic. That may have resulted from hearing dancehall DJs spinning rhymes about French life experiences over familiar reggae and raggamuffin rhythms and melodies, but it doesn't mean Raggasonic won't satisfy dancehall fans who don't speak French. Raggasonic recruited top Jamaican musicians -- Sly & Robbie, Steelie and Clevie, Mafia & Fluxy -- to craft very spare, usually slow arrangements to frame the rapid-fire vocal flow of the French tag-team toasters. There are a few hip-hop touches -- the French rap crew Supreme NTM joins in on "Aiguise Comme Une Lame" -- but the music is mostly electronic raggamuffin adapting Jamaican classics. Big Red and Daddy Mory boast about their DJ prowess, deal on social ills and street life from a Rasta perspective, and, on "J'Entends Parler," the need for AIDS awareness over Bob Marley & the Wailers' "Waiting in Vain." The roots-style horns on "Poussiere D'Ange" blend with an almost rocksteady melody and the closing "International" rocks convincingly with help from Barrington Levy-sounding singer Desmond. Desmond also contributes vocals to "Original," which really isn't -- but it's also done well enough that if you like the sound, it really doesn't matter. That also does a pretty good job of summing up Raggasonic. ~ Don Snowden EMI. 2004.

Raggasonic albums The French ragga band gives the Caribbean musical genre a Gallic twist on their second album. Raggasonic's debut was marked by the enthusiasm and reverence of a pair of French West Indian dancehall/reggamuffin DJs in France getting a chance to strut their lyrical stuff over musical styles they loved. But the second and final release by Big Red and Daddy Mory, again with first-rate Jamaican musicians providing the backing tracks, is geared toward adding something original to those forms thanks to fully realized songs that are more than mere platforms for stringing together rhymes in French over Jamaican rhythms. The pushing, up-tempo arrangements offer plenty of different textures -- "A La Ancienne" rides on a driving, rasty-sounding clavinet while "Mental Feat" freely mixes roots reggae nationalities by featuring ex-Black Uhuru vocalist Mykal Rose over the militant Anglo reggae of Aswad's "Mossman Skank." "Au Nom Di Qui" is very bright and vibrant and the fresh, upbeat "Faut Pas Me Prendre Pour Un Ane" mixes dub effects with Dean Fraser's alluring sax fills and bright Leroy Mafia piano. Rasta consciousness, calls against social inequalities, and Afro-centric themes dominate ...

Raggasonic music CDs UK single features three non-LP tracks, recorded live with the Jools Holland R&B Orchestra. Tracks, 'Handbags & Gladrags' (live acoustic version) (unavailable on any other pressing), 'Caravan Holiday' (live acoustic version) & 'Nice To Be Out' (live acoustic version). 2001.

Track Listing of songs: Intro; Rude Boy; Laisse Le Peuple S'exprimer; Au Nom De Qui ?; Oppression; A L'ancienne; Classic; Interlude 1; En Quelque Mots; Mental; Faut Pas Me Prendre Pour Un Ane; Je Ne Sais Pas; Alcoolo; Interlude 2; Raggasonic Crew;

Track Listing of songs: Intro; Rude Boy; Laisse Le Peuple S'exprimer; Au Nom De Qui ?; Oppression; A L'ancienne; Classic; Interlude 1; En Quelque Mots; Mental; Faut Pas Me Prendre Pour Un Ane; Je Ne Sais Pas; Alcoolo; Interlude 2; Raggasonic Crew;

Track Listing of songs: Faut Pas Me Prendre Pour Un Ane; Faut Pas Me Prendre Pour Un Ane;