Originally released in 1995 as a follow-up to their wonderfully hooky debut Parla Patois and their sophomore album Chourmo, Massilia Sound System's third effort was reissued with remastered sound and a bonus remix track in 2002. Commando Fada finds the Marseillais trio continuing to develop its unique hybrid of jumpy dancehall reggae, Provençal boosterism, and fierce pride in the Occitan language of their native region. This group's secret weapon has always been the melding of simple, attractive melodies with bouncily catchy dancehall beats and cheerfully subversive lyrics. The more joyful their anger, the more enjoyable their music, and on tracks like the jauntily melancholy "Remue," the soca-flavored "Solelhadìs," and the insanely catchy and lyrically snarling "Mise en Examen" they blend all of their signature elements to brilliant effect. The brief jungle interlude "Garriga Picament" and the hip-hoppy "Misérable Mix" of the title track point to some of the band's future stylistic developments, but for the most part this is simply classic Massilia Sound System at their standard best. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
