Gangsta Blues is the fifth album by the Jamaican recording artist Tanya Stephens.
Background Recording for the album took place in-between 2001 and 2004. It was recorded across various recording studios in Jamaica and America. Production came from her longtime life partner Andrew Henton among many others including Neil Amos, Romain "Sherkhan" Chiffre, Mr. Doo, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Steven Stanley, and Digital B, with writing coming from Tanya herself on every track, Andrew on most plus a lot of other writers throughout the album.
Track listing
Reception Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times described the music as "acoustic-guitar laments and joyful digital dancehall", and in Sanneh's view the album is "full of witty reggae protest songs".Sanneh, Kelefa (2004) "MUSIC: PLAYLIST; Reggae's Riddims And Crews", The New York Times, May 23, 2004, retrieved September 8, 2012 Vibes Rob Kenner regarded it as Stephens' best album to date.Kenner, Rob (2004) "Boomshots", Vibe, July 2004, p. 138, retrieved September 8, 2012 Allmusic writer Rick Anderson gave it two and half stars out of five, describing the rhythms as "expert but not exactly revelatory ", and the lyrics "mostly a predictable mix of defensive braggadocio and by-the-numbers slackness", but picking out "Little White Lie", "What's Your Story", and "It's a Pity" for particular praise.Anderson, Rick "Gangsta Blues Review", Allmusic, retrieved September 8, 2012
Chart History
Billboard Billboard Reggae albums - 10
Personnel Writers - V. Stephenson, C. Grant, W. Jean, A. Henton, C. Lawrence, R. Myrie, P Baigorry, J. Buggon, L. Topp, C. Dodd, H. Reddy, R. Burton, E. Getthard, H. Seaton Producers - Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly, Andrew Henton, Barry O'Hare, Neil Amos, Romain "Sherkhan" Chiffre, Tanya Stephens, Mr. Doo, Phillip 'Fattis' Burrell, Louis "Flabba" Malcolm, Anthony Senior, Boris Silvera, Steven Stanley, Digiteal B Editing & Mixing - Paul Shields of VP Records Cover Art photography - William Richards Cover Art design - Kerry DeBruce Publishing - VP Records, Tarantula Records, Warner/Chappell, STB Music, Topp Entertainment, Jamrec Music
Please note Information such as Writers & Personnel is taken directly from the CD inlay.
References