Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana

• Artist: Sooliman E. Rogie
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1995
• Total Time: 42:31
• Genre: World

Review

The title of this album proved to be tragically ironic, as the 68-year-old Rogie died shortly before his international debut was released. But if there's any justice in this world, the deceptively simple charms of Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana will leave the singer/guitarist from Sierra Leone immortalized by his music. Rogie is a master of palm wine music, which is named for a drink made from the milky white sap of Sierra Leone's palm trees, and the atmospheric, carefree feel of the tunes conjures up images of relaxing times on breezy beaches watching lush, tropical sunsets. Rogie's lilting guitar, backed only by standup bass and subtle percussion, has a rootsy folk-blues feel, while his soothing, buttery baritone caresses you like a warm Caribbean wind. With traditional African call-and-response vocals, the music comes off like a cross between the laid-back island rhythms of reggae, the back-porch vibe of rustic blues, and the spiritual feel of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, making this a sweet, stirring testament to an undeservedly little-known talent. ~ Bret Love, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Kpindigbee [Morning, Noon and Night]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(4:09)
A Time in My Life	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(3:25)
Nor Weigh Me Lek Dat [Woman to Woman]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(4:03)
Jaimgba Tutu [The Joy of Success]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(2:36)
Koneh Pelawoe [Please Open Your Heart]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(5:02)
Jojo Yalah Jo [I Lost My Wife]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(4:41)
Nyalomei Luange [Love Me My Love]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(2:52)
African Gospel	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(4:18)
Nyalimagotee [The Cornerstone of My Heart]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(4:47)
Dieman Noba Smoke Tafee [Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana]	Sooliman E. Rogie	Sooliman E. Rogie	(6:38)

Credits

James Cadsky (Mixing Assistant), Stephen Lovell-Davis (Photography), Tchad Blake (Producer), Danny Thompson (Double Bass), Zozo Shuaibu (Vocals (Background)), Meabh Flynn (Mixing Assistant), Tchad Blake (Mixing), Tchad Blake (Engineer), Sooliman E. Rogie (Vocals), Tony Stiles (Design), Sooliman E. Rogie (Guitar), James Cadsky (Assistant Engineer), Sooliman E. Rogie (Vocals (Background)), Simon Clark (Keyboards), Mike Coulson (Art Direction), Meabh Flynn (Assistant Producer), Meabh Flynn (Assistant Engineer), Zozo Shuaibu (Bass (Electric)), Emile Ogoo (Guitar), Emile Ogoo (Vocals (Background)), James Cadsky (Assistant Producer), Zozo Shuaibu (Percussion), Alfred Bannerman (Guitar)