Boogie the Blue Sky: Afropop Compilation Gives U2 Classics the Dancehall Treatment

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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>By Andrew William Smith, Editor</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>June 23, 2008</strong></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The inspirational compilation <em>In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2</em> is an emotionally, politically, and musically important record on many counts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To begin, it?s the first tribute album devoted to the Dublin four that fully captures the spirit of the songs. In general, tribute albums form a dubious genre at best, and all the previous attempts at U2 tributes were mediocre, shoddy, under-recognized efforts.<!--more-->Moreover, it makes sense for African musicians to make this record on a purely social and symbolic level. As much has Bono has been lauded and lionized for his African advocacy, detractors on the left have derided and demonized him. To hear the top-shelf stars of Afropop offer such coherent covers that range from the compelling and chilling to the challenging and competent goes a long way towards answering the cynics and the critics concerning Bono?s activism.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Despite the growing global appeal of what falls under the ?world music? umbrella, Afropop remains an underappreciated genre among listeners in the global north. Many U2 fans will choose to own this consistent collection even if they have never heard of or listened to African stars like Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone?s Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Tour?, Vusi Mahlasela, and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Such excellent exposure for an experimental and expressive genre cannot be understated.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After dozens of listens, <em>In the Name of Love</em> maintains its insistent rhythms and intoxicating layers. The record takes familiar tracks and makes them unfamiliar in a breathtaking and beautiful manner worthy of? dancing or singing along.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2</em> <strong>was released on Shout Factory on April 1<sup>st</sup>. For more information, please <a href="http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=4201687&sid=5CF1222572DB4A2E81048BEA7A9BC728">go here</a>.</strong></p>
 
I totally agree. After previous experiences with U2 tribute albums, I was wary of another, but this compliation is by far the best tribute to date and has been spinning in my car since April. Now my husband wants his own copy. Highly recommended! :applaud:
 
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