The name Sly Asher might not ring a bell for everyone, but the Ivorian artist, born Gouamené Gahié Francis, has been making his mark since the mid-1980s. For 'New Vision', he joined forces with Les Vieux Mogos, an outstanding group of musicians led by former Solar System drummer Sam Koné and bassist Lucien Atsé, whom we still remembered from the 2017 album 'Motherland'.
By Jah Rebel
Asher started his musical journey as a bassist in Abidjan before venturing through Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. In the early 2000s, he eventually landed in Paris, where he briefly collaborated with French outfit Tu Shung Peng. In 2008, he released ‘Le Temps’, recorded with backing band Lion Stepper.
Now, after a long absence, Sly Asher returns with ‘New Vision’, seeing him switch between English and French, sometimes even within the same track.
Opener ‘Je Suis Noir’, undoubtedly one of the album’s highlights, can be seen as Asher’s answer to James Brown’s ‘Say It Loud - I’m Black And I’m Proud’.
Other standout tracks include ‘Music’, an ode to the art form featuring a fiery guitar solo by Vieux Mogos guitarist Osha (also see ‘I Believe’), ‘Prions’, where Asher equates praying with making music, and ‘The Lie’, which closes with a great outro by keyboardist Muctaru Wurie.
The two excellent closing dub versions are crafted by Timour Cardenas, who also handled the album’s mixing and mastering.
Thoroughly enjoyable Franco-African release!
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
December 31, 2024