Òai e Libertat

Released

For over 40 years now, Massilia Sound System has been making a most unlikely fusion: dancehall reggae music that explicitly celebrates the Occitan-speaking culture of Marseille and its region. Singing and chatting in both French and Occitan, the band delivers songs that are sometimes militant and sometimes whimsical, and sometimes both. For example, the opening track on this 2007 album, you hear a joyful declaration of victory on “De longue” (“On met lo Òai depuis millions d’années”), a declaration of defiance set to multicultural percussion (“Laissa nos passer”), and something that sounds like a declaration intent to keep doing it forever (“Toujours et toujours”). Speed-rap, dub, and general digital reggae niceness are on offer throughout the whole program; it’s a complete delight.

Rick Anderson

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