I first discovered Dr. Alban in Russia. 1992. I don't think I ever heard anyone here in America mention him. But the kids in Russia thought he was the bomb back then.
I got his album. Boy, that's a whole nother story!
Let's just say, when I got back to america, I searched high and low, finally special ordering the CD "One Love".
I love it. It is very AFRICAN. The CD is mostly in English, but he has some african language, Swahili, I think thrown in sometimes. I really like hearing songs in other languages. It makes the musical experience more pure, not knowing what is being said. Only listening to the sound of the words, and the emotion in the inflection.
How often do we really understand what each other are saying, even in our native tongue?
Songs in other languages cut me loose to not understand.
Anyway, Dr. Alban is highly electronic. Dancehall reggae, I guess. "Sing Hallelujah" is very gospel sounding. "Om We Rembwe Ike" sounds extremely tribal. I love the foreign (to me) roots of his musical expression. These are great dance tunes.
The message is especially poignant right now, too. "One Love" breaks my heart.
"The rich will live
and the poor will die
this is not it and what is it?
One love"
And "It's my life" works great as a angst teenage song. It also has a deeper meaning, when taken in the context of African politics; Dr. Alban sings love songs to his home Africa.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
I love Dr. Alban M, nice call!
2 - Korpulent
This is a really great cd, the best one from alban..
3 - Oren
Dr Alban got a new Single out :
"work work"
not as good as the old ones
but i had to have it :)
4 - Amir Ahmad
Me..Amir Ahamd ..a 17 yrs old boy
I love Ya Dr Alban....I love It is my life....
I love Ya......
Just i Love ya.
I heared Yr voice in Iran...When i 15...
A real real masculin voice....
Very strong.....
I love Ya and Yr songs...
UUUMMah
5 - BRICKLAYER
Um, I think you guys mean "Damon Albarn"?
6 - Adam Lakos
Hello, I'm Adam from Hungary. I heard Dr. Alban in 1992, my elder cousins were listening it all the time. This Time I'm Free, now I'm hearing his songs all the time. But I think there are a few people how likes it, don't you think so?
7 - Eric Olsen
I do think so
8 - Om.
hey, whats its my life referring to?
whos the papa-know-it-all?
does anyone know who it is written about?
have fun guys!!
bye
Om.
9 - skit
YOU CAN ASK FOR EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM DR.ALBAN! I'M THE #1 FAN AND I HAVE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING !!!
10 - béla
Hey,
are you being serious here? You cannot say that Dr Alban, the author of It's my life and Sing hallelujah, is a great singer!!! No way!!!!! I think Dr. alban is ridiculous!! It was poor even in 1992 not in 2006!!!!
11 - >Anel_Bosnia
HE IS THE VERY BEST DEFINITELY