Gumption | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1990 | |||
Genre | Reggae, dancehall | |||
Label | Shanachie | |||
Producer | Bunny Wailer | |||
Bunny Wailer chronology | ||||
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Gumption is an album by the Jamaican musician Bunny Wailer. [1] [2] It was released in 1990 via Shanachie Records. [3] The album peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's World Albums chart. [4] Gumption was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Reggae Album". [5]
Wailer wanted to incorporate a dance hall element into the album's sound. [6] "Warrior" is a cover of the Johnny Osbourne song. [7] "Peiaka 'Bus Dem Shut'" was written by the Wailers in the 1960s. [8] "Dog War" and "Never Grow Old" were written by Toots Hibbert. [9] "Reggae Burden" refers to Bunny's position as the last Wailer, as well as his role as a promoter of reggae. [10]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
Chicago Tribune | [11] |
Robert Christgau | [12] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [13] |
Los Angeles Daily News | [14] |
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide | [15] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [16] |
The Gazette deemed the album "a tribute to the diversity of Jamaican reggae styles, from ska and rock steady, to lover's rock, roots and dancehall... It's a richly melodic, uplifting set from start to finish, spearheaded by the bold and caring vocals of a reggae veteran." [17] The Chicago Tribune concluded that, "while not as aggressively 'dancey' as some material now in the marketplace, parts of Gumption are indeed given a 'synthetic' shading by electronic drum beats—although that's generally balanced by a more 'human,' emotional feeling stemming from ebullient melodies and Wailer's warm vocals." [11] The Los Angeles Daily News noted that "the majority of tracks here are lackluster and say nothing new rhythmically." [14]
AllMusic wrote that "Wailer uses simplicity to great advantage... His consistency is a thing to admire." [7]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Sounds Clash" | |
2. | "Peiaka 'Bus Dem Shut'" | |
3. | "Dog War" | |
4. | "See and Blind" | |
5. | "Warrior" | |
6. | "Never Grow Old" | |
7. | "Gumption" | |
8. | "Wheel Yo Belly" | |
9. | "Don Man" | |
10. | "Reggae Burden" |