André Alexander's Homepage
This space is dedicated to my great-grandfather, Captain Willy, my grandfather, Boxer Fredi, and my father, Chimney Sweep Dieter.
I also dedicate this page to the prophets of HIM Haile Selassie Jah Rastafari, the great Reggae artists of the 1970s.
Some facts of dubious value:
In 2007 I celebrated my 20th anniversary in the Tibetan Himalayas.
My favourite listenings:
Hail I Hymn
by I Jah Man
This album is proof (as if needed) that Buddhism is not the only religion where meditation plays an important role. This is not a common album of pop songs, rather, it is a Reggae symphony with hauntingly beautiful melodies and lyrics.
"It is better for a man to conquer himself than a king to conquer and capture many cities" (Zion Hut).
Dadawah - Peace & Love
by Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus
The first album of this iconic Jamaican band, famous for its blend of Nyabinghi drumming and Rastafarian gospel songs, produced in the early 1970s in a style that sounds both timeless and oddly contemporary today.
Rastaman Vibration
by Bob Marley & the Wailer
Contains many of my favourites such as Positive Vibration, Johnny Was, Crazy Baldhead and War, the last being a speech by HIM Haile Selassie put to song:
"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned..."(War).
Blackheartman
by Bunny Wailer
Bunny Wailer was one of the founding members of the Wailers and today sadly the only surviving original member of this remarkable group. This is his first and in my opinion best album, very different from his later output. 10 songs with long and thoughtful lyrics, beautiful melodies and restrained, folk-reminiscent production.
"As skillful as I am, the jailer-man is bound to find me I pray the day will come when I shall be free from Battering down sentence, fighting against convictions..."(Battering Down the Sentence)
Bankrupt Morality
by Sons of Jah
The debut (and best) album of this little-known band. To my knowledge, there is no CD version yet (please let me know if there is: andrax@tibetheritagefund.org).
Excellent songs with superb instrumentalization by the Wailers band, and the voice of Trevor Bow in "angry young man" fashion. The songs all deal with social injustice. 
Two of the original trio later left, and songwriter-singer Trevor Bow continued alone as Son of Jah until he was tragically assassinated in Jamaica recently. Once I met one of the original group members, running a record shop in Brixton. He kindly sent me some difficult-to-find recordings of the group. "What kind of world are we living in if we can afford half a billion on the moon and cannot spare half a dollar to keep someone alive" (John Brown).
Hear Me Now
by Barbara Paige
Next to Jody Mowatt's "Black Woman", this is my favourite female Reggae artist. Hear Me Now has sharp social and political-oriented songs, as well as romantic love songs. The Wailers band plays on this album. Unfortunately, I have no image of the cover, if someone would send me one, I will be very grateful. Thanks to Roger Steffens who introduced me to this wonderful artist.
Not Reggae, but still good:
Oh Mercy
by Bob Dylan
One of Dylan's best later works, produced in 1989 by Daniel Lanois. Excellent new songs with Dylan's trademark innovative poetical lyrics and a hauntingly dark and rich sound by producer Lanois. Not without reason does Dylan's autobiography describe the making of this record in great detail, the songs and production reach a quality and completeness sadly absent from much of Dylan's work in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, Dylan left a few great songs cut at the time off the record, such as Series of Dreams and the original version of Born in Time.
Broken bottles, broken plates, Broken switches, broken gates,
Broken dishes, broken parts, Streets are filled with broken hearts.
Broken words never meant to be spoken, Everything is broken....(Everything is broken)
Buddha and the Chocolate Box
by Cat Stevens
My favourite is the cartoon story of Buddha and the chocolate box on the sleeve. The songs are good, I especially like king of trees with its environmental theme. OK you can call me a hippy...
Cat Stevens made a recent new record as Yusuf Islam, An Other Cup.
Very nice songs and very fresh production, my favourites include Avoid City After Dark, Heaven/Where True Love Goes (a reworking of Foreigner Suite) and Maybe There's A World.
"Never forget who you are and where you stand in this struggle"
Bob Marley
