12 tracks
It's the sheer joyousness of El Fata's music that hits you first, an impact created by the warm sincerity of his vocals, and a succession of uplifting melodies, conscious lyrics, and blend of musical styles that embraces reggae, funk, dancehall, pop, jazz, and African beats.“World music” is a term that is now over-subscribed, except it is impossible to describe what El Fata does any other way. That is because his inspiration is liable to arrive from anywhere. It is universal, and so too, is his audience, since his music is all exclusive and everyone is welcome, irrespective of nationality or creed.
Born in Lagos, he started out as a drummer in his school band. During his teens, he discovered reggae music and turned singer after being inspired by Jamaican acts such as Michael Rose, Don Carlos, Gregory Isaacs, Bob Marley, Cocoa Tea and Dennis Brown. At the age of nineteen, he was fronting a band that toured the country, performing a mix of original material and cover versions. Three years later, in 1996, after their residency at the Lagos Hilton came to an end, he left for father's home town in the Ivory Coast and embarked on a solo career.
It was there he began composing songs in both English and French, and recorded his debut album, The Coming Of El Fata, which appeared in 1999. He and The Living Spirit band were a popular draw at festivals and concerts throughout the Ivory Coast until 2004, when the worsening political situation necessitated a move to England and chance encounter with leftfield reggae outfit BamJimba. Wakey Wakey, recorded and mixed at the Mad Professor's Ariwa studio, was their first collaboration. In-between appearing with Mungo's Hi-Fi in Scotland, El Fata then voiced songs for the second BamJimba album, Routes, released in 2006, which brought him to the attention of Astral Records, and led to this wonderfully diverse collection of songs on his latest album titled ''MIRACLE''.
Written by: John Masouri
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