True Democracy is a studio album by the British reggae band Steel Pulse. It was released on 1March 1982 through the band's own label Wise Man Doctrine Records.
The album got to at least No.14 on the Independent Albums Chart. In the US it peaked at No.120 on the Billboard200.
Production When the band started work on the album, they had no record deal.Campbell, Howard (2022) "True reflections", Jamaica Observer, 9 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022 While on tour in New York in 1981 they met Karl Pitterson, with whom they recorded five demos. While the demos didn't prompt any offers from major labels, a small Danish label offered the use of their studios to record an album.
The album was recorded over 25 days at Feedback Studios in Aarhus, with Pitterson producing.
It was released in March 1982 through the band's own label Wise Man Doctrine Records. It was later released through Elektra Records for distribution in the United States.
Critical reception
Boo Browning of The Washington Post called True Democracy "a cheerful album, almost buoyant in its musical exhortations to dance even as its lyrics tackle less-than-merry topics."
Style Weekly, in 2018, called it "still ... one of the most danceable political albums ever."
Track listing All tracks written by David Hinds, except where noted.
"Chant a Psalm" – 4:30 "Ravers" – 3:56 "Find It... Quick!" – 3:26 "A Who Responsible?" – 3:54 "Worth His Weight in Gold (Rally Round)" – 4:35 "Leggo Beast" – 3:44 "Blues Dance Raid" – 4:53 "Your House" – 3:42 "Man No Sober" – 4:29 "Dub Marcus Say" (Phonso Martin) – 4:41
Bonus tracks for CD "Ravers [12" Version]" - 5:56 "Leggo Beast [12" Version]" - 6:40 "Your House [Dub Version]" - 3:50 "A Who Responsible? [Dub Version]" - 4:00
Personnel Steel Pulse Ronald "Stepper" McQueen - bass Steve "Grizzly" Nesbitt - drums Selwyn Brown (musician) - keyboard, vocals Alphonso Martin - percussion, vocals David Hinds - guitar, vocals Basil Gabbidon - lead guitar Technical Cover Concept - Steel Pulse Art Direction - Ron Coro Design - Kathy Morphesis Photography - Eric Watson
References