Takana Zion – Few Words: Roots Reggae with an African heart

Guinea’s Takana Zion latest album, Few Words, has been released by Soulbeats Music. The 16-track set follows 2021’s Human Supremacy and once again finds the singer combining his African roots with the sounds and messages of Jamaican reggae.

Working mainly in France with producer and arranger Jason Wilson, Takana Zion has put together an album built on warm basslines, steady roots riddims, and plenty of live instrumentation. And despite the album’s title, there’s certainly no shortage of things he wants to say.

Hosanna gets things moving with a spiritual message carried by a relaxed, rolling roots riddim. The pace picks up on Burn Up, where weighty bass and punchy horns provide the backing for Zion’s outspoken lyrics about injustice and corruption.

One of the album’s key tracks is Few Words, featuring Jamaican singer Warrior King. The two share the microphone over a warm, unhurried riddim, reminding us that meaningful actions carry more weight than empty talk.

Kerempeti, featuring Senegalese artist Xuman, brings a different flavour to the proceedings. West African vocal styles blend with a Jamaican roots riddim, creating one of the album’s more distinctive moments. There’s also room for a lighter mood on To The Party, a collaboration with Jamaica’s Aza Lineage. Its upbeat, danceable groove offers a pleasant break from the heavier subject matter and adds some welcome variety to the selection.

What works particularly well on Few Words is the balance between Jamaican roots traditions and Takana Zion’s African musical background. He doesn’t simply copy the familiar reggae formula but gives it his own voice and perspective.

With Few Words, Takana Zion delivers another solid addition to his catalogue.