It is no coincidence that this single has been released after war finally
broke out in Iraq. Not In Our Name is a movement to resist the American
government’s ‘war on the world’, and Saul Williams puts their feelings
across very well.
‘Not in our name will you wage endless war. There can be no more death.
Not in our name will you invade countries, bomb civilians, kill more
children.’
Honourable sentiments indeed, however, the quality of the music fails to
match the quality of the sentiment.
Four mixes of the title track are included, with remixes by Coldcut and DJ
Spooky disappointing the most.
September 12th and Bloodletting are also conscious tracks in the same vein
as Not In My Name, with Williams preaching and pontificating as only he can
- and in all honesty it becomes a bit wearing.
If you feel very strongly about these subjects then I would imagine you
would get a lot out of Not In My Name. If like me, however, you would
rather watch the news to find out what’s going on in the world and leave
hip-hop to entertaining you, then I wouldn’t advise buying this.
www.ninjatune.net
www.notinourname.net
Reviewed by Fraser Syme
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