International Ivorian reggae stars like Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly need no further introduction, but of course Ivorian reggae scene is home to a whole host of talented artists. It's therefore with great pleasure that we introduce Masinga Root, who delivers his solo debut with 'Good Vibes'. Cherif Mamadou, as the man is called in real life, was born in the Ivorian capital Abidjan, where he contracted the poliovirus at an early age (see also Israel Vibration). Unfortunately, his handicap prevented him from attending school for some years, but the young man soon developed a predilection for music. Even though he enjoys listening to the songs of reggae heroes like Bob Marley, Burning Spear and Gregory Isaacs, influenced by the success of rappers like MC Solaar and Demokrat D, he initially joins the local hip-hop scene. Soon, however, Masinga becomes a popular toaster in the Ivorian sound system circuit and at the University of Abidjan, where he studies sociology, even leads the Orchestre de l'Université d'Abidjan for a while. In 2005 Cheriff joins the ranks of Wisemen, a popular band in Parker Place, one of the most famous reggae venues in Abidjan. Masinga's first solo single 'Obama, The Black Sofa' is released in 2009, but he becomes a real household name in Ivory Coast when in 2008 he is asked by zouglou band Les Garagistes to contribute to their 'Jo Le Taxi' song. The international breakthrough comes in 2016, when, with 'Marguerita', his second single, he conquers a spot in the track list of the Wildworld Riddim compilation produced by Austrian House Of Riddim. That last track can also be found on 'Good Vibes', a title immediately capturing the atmosphere of this excellent Afro-reggae album (mixed by Sam Gilly of the aforementioned House of Riddim). The energetic opener and title track, 'Good Vibes', immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album on which Masinga constantly alternates between English, French, Dioula ('Dounougnan', in which Masinga fulminates against a world in which morals and values more and more often have to compete with money and greed) and his native language Mahouka (the up-tempo 'Djeman', a plea against the excessive interference of mothers-in-law within a marriage). 'Marguerita' is a successful love tune, and other recommendations from the track list are the aforementioned 'Djeman' and title track 'Good Vibes', and finally 'Le Retour', the only combination-tune on the album featuring Mister Champion. Top-notch Afro-reggae, with a balanced mix of English, French and local languages and featuring the right dose of traditional instruments like kora and Mandinka guitar!