A Cappella Live cover

A Cappella Live

Linton Kwesi Johnson

43 min · 14 tracks · dub poetry

A powerful blend of spoken word and rhythmic delivery, underscoring the struggles and resilience of Jamaican culture.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Five Night Bleeding — This track opens the album with a poignant exploration of violence and suffering, setting a serious tone that resonates throughout the live performance.
  • →
    Sonny's Lettah — A key piece in Johnson's repertoire, this track delivers a compelling narrative about police brutality and injustice, making it a standout in both lyrical content and delivery.
  • →
    Di Great Insohreckshan — This song encapsulates themes of resistance and empowerment through its rhythmic intensity and powerful vocal delivery, showcasing Johnson’s mastery of dub poetry.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
69 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Linton Kwesi Johnson's unique style and live performance energy, making it a standout in dub poetry.

What we noticed

  • The album features a continuous flow of spoken word pieces, with minimal instrumental backing that emphasizes the vocal delivery.
  • Each track maintains a consistent rhythmic structure, allowing Johnson's poetry to take center stage without interruption.
  • The performance captures the energy of a live setting, with audience reactions woven into the recordings, enhancing the immediacy of the experience.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
9/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Sonny's Lettah

    The narrative shifts from personal tragedy to broader social commentary, highlighting systemic oppression faced by marginalized communities.

    This shift elevates the individual experience into a collective struggle, reinforcing the urgency and relevance of Johnson's message within societal contexts.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Five Night Bleeding 4:07
  • 2 Reggae Sounds 1:28
  • 3 Bass Culture 2:18
  • 4 Sonny's Lettah 2:48
  • 5 It Noh Funny 1:53
  • 6 New Craas Massahkah 5:29
  • 7 Di Great Insohreckshan 2:06
  • 8 Reggae Fi Dada 3:49
  • 9 Story 1:35
  • 10 Mi Revahlueshanary Fren 3:37
  • 11 Tings An Times 5:16
  • 12 Di Anfinish Revahlueshan 2:39
  • 13 If I Woz a Tap Natch Poet 2:57
  • 14 Hurricane Blues 2:56

What to play next

Forces of Victory
Listen next

Forces of Victory

1979
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dub poetry

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata