Archive for the ‘Album Reviews’ Category
Wednesday, November 7th, 2007 |
United Kingdom-based gospel musician John Mutoko has every reason to be ecstatic after bouncing back with a third album Mwari Vakatendeka which is doing well on the market.
The album, which was recorded at Shed Studios and is being marketed and distributed by the Zimbabwe Music Corporation (ZMC), has already sold more than 3 000 copies in a week — a sizeable number for an upcoming artist. Better known as “Mr Fantastic” by his fans, Mutoko’s album opens with the track Shumba YavaJudha (The Lion of Judah) which is a divine explanation of who Jesus is. He sings ‘Musamujairira ndiye She werugare’ — asserting Jesus as a saviour.
The second song Tsvakai Jesu Murarame has proved the most popular on the album as it occupies the sixth position on Radio Zimbabwe’s Top 20 hit parade. The track explores how families are ripped apart following ill advice from parents who are supposed to be exemplary. The bottom line in the song is that parents should teach their children the Christian way of life in order to eschew the devil’s machinations.
Mutoko also looks in the negative on people who use juju (traditional potions) on their relatives so that they do not get married. “It doesn’t matter if I am talking about my real tetes (aunts). The most important thing is I am preaching the gospel through singing,” Mutoko said. The universality of death is explored in the song Pasi Idandaro that reminds everyone - whether rich or poor - that they will die one day.
He said he was touched by the death of one of his friends who was also a college mate in Havana, Cuba who died after spending 10 years at university furthering his education — a feat that asserts the universality of death. He dedicated the song Mweya Wangu Chizorora on all who have departed highlighting how many die before they have achieved everything they would have been planning on earth. “Like Jeremiah (the Biblical prophet), I feel the fire burning in my bones and as long as I have breath in me I will sing the truth of the gospel unto death.
“I am the voice for the voiceless, I bring hope to the hopeless and I also bring encouragement to the discouraged. I sing the truth and its unfortunate some are not happy to see the truth being exposed,” said Mutoko.
Musandityire is centred more on Mutoko’s life. “But because I am an over comer who has been bought by the blood of Jesus don’t fear for me because the Lord will take me through,” he said. His previous albums include 1 Chronicles 4v10 and 1 in which the song Jabez had a very good reception. In this song, he encourages people to pray the prayer of Jabez so that their territories may be increased by the Almighty. Samuel 7v12 (Ebenezer) was the first album released in 2004 and the song Mwari Vachandivaraidza explains how Mutoko felt when he lost his mother in 1996 only to learn of her death after six moths.
The Valley of Dry Bones (fourth album) is expected to be released next year in August.
Via The Herald
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Monday, October 29th, 2007 |
Members of the folk music group Tunjila Tuajokota are expected this Saturday morning in Lubango, southern Huila Province, together with their executive producer, Alcas Fernandes, for a session of autographs signing, sale and promotion of their latest CD, entitled Yosso Ikuma.
The information was given by Alcas Fernandes, who also informed that they will travel to that southern province through road, due to the cancellation of the flight thy had booked. Since the release of Yosso Ikuma, last June, the group has made this album available for purchase in ten of the country’s 18 provinces. Tunjila Tuajokota are one of Angola’s most famous folk music group.
The band is made up of young musicians who mainly sing and explore the traditions of the north-central Malanje Province.
Via Angola Press Agency
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Monday, October 29th, 2007 |
You will not often hear her music playing on your FM station, but Sarah Ndagire is one of those few artistes who will not get on stage, unless there are musical instruments to be strummed. The former Afrigo band singer proved this last week when she performed with Soul Beat Africa at the National Theatre.
The show began on time, first by showing Ndagire’s recent videos, before Soul Beat Africa, a globe-trotting World music band that is composed of Herbert Kinobe, Jude Mugerwa, Michael Ouma, producer Allan and others sampled some of their tunes. Whereas they looked quite unfamiliar to the audience, when each went played their favourite instrument fans could not hide the excitement.
By the time Sarah Ndagire came on stage, the audience was already worked up. She did songs off her first album Katitira, which is composed of songs like Akakisa, Katitira, Agalifa and her new album, Kunsiko, Village woman, Train, Engero and others. Her music is a fusion of traditional and African contemporary soul.
Though there were few people in the audience, she still possessed the powers of a good performer and every song that she sang seemed to carry the audience to another level as they cheered and sang along.
By the time the show ended there was no regret for the Shs20,000 gate fee because it was spent well.
Via The Monitor
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Monday, October 29th, 2007 |
Journalist turned musician, Michael ‘Dele Alonge is set to dazzle all and sundry in the entertainment industry as he releases a chart-buster, 6-tracker album titled “Bold Step” in the market, in a few weeks time.
The multi-talented songster, with support from his Mike Mighty Band has proved beyond reasonable doubts, that he’s an embodiment of talents.
The Ilesha-Osun State born prolific writer, would be launching his album in a few weeks time from now, and it promises to be a bang.In a chat with journalists, he explained he would do a small launch of the album in his church on the 4th of November before any other place. “The reason, if you may ask me, is that, God is my beginning and the end. 50% of whatever accrues from my album launch is going into my church purse. It’s a covenant I made and it must be fulfilled.” He said.
When asked what brand of music he plays, he was quick to respond “For someone who has been involved in music for over a decade, I think it will be wrong to classify my music. A good musician must be able to sing anything to glorify God. I won’t call myself a gospel artiste rather, I would say I am a musician who sings contemporary music. But note that, all my songs are meant to correct societal ills.” Mike Mighty Band Leader rounded off.
The six hit tracks album, Jesu Loba, He’s Lord, Igba Irorun De, What Can I Give? Dance! Dance!! Dance!!! and Use Condom. It’s a must buy for every home.
Via Leadership
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Thursday, October 18th, 2007 |
Three years on from his last album, Jason Glover launches THESE DREAMS - the second album of his to be released in South Africa and the successor to his West Road - at Krakatoa at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom on Thursday October 25.
Jason studied music in the UK at the London School of Music in the 1990s and played on the London circuit for a while. When he returned to South Africa in 2004 he recorded his first album West Road. When that was released he spent much of his time on the road performing alone around the country.
“As any songwriter will tell you it’s quite a process releasing/promoting an album and travelling all the time, you have little room for anything else.” he says.
Once the excitement of the album had calmed down Jason went back to what he derives the most fulfilment from and that is writing music.
West Road saw Jason carve a valuable niche for himself in the South African music scene. His song Call Me went to number 8 on the 94.7 homebrew chart, and his song Sky Tonight went to number 4 on the OFM and Algoa charts. The album enjoyed radio play on East Coast Radio and he has also been a featured artist on 5FM, Jacaranda and Algoa FM.
“I managed to put down a lot of ideas while I was touring and when I found a break I would work on some of the songs. I have always worked alone, however for this new album I got Peter Auret, the highly accomplished South African drummer who now performs with Watershed, to produce it.”
“Lyrically These Dreams still holds a fairly autobiographical sense to it.
In 2005 my sister passed away from a long battle with cancer. I don’t think I ever really dealt with her death however the song Time was my way of finding some sort of closure.”
For this album Jason has also recorded a cover track Driving with the Brakes On by the Glasgow band Delamitri which has a huge international following but they are not well recognised in South Africa. “It’s the kind of song that makes your hair stand on end.” he says.
Audiences members at Sibaya stand a chance to air tickets from One Time and a two night stay at Sibaya (see www.jasonglover.co.za for conditions and details).
Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm at Krakatoa, Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom. Tickets are R50 and bookings are through 031 580 5555.
[Via Artzone]
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Friday, October 12th, 2007 |
Scores of revellers braved a drizzle to witness the double launch of the albums of Botswana’s leading kwaito acts Exodus and Skazo alias Tlhotlhomiso Maruping at Chez Ntemba last Saturday.
Exodus, which is made up of Dawn Seisa and Anthony Phatsimo, were formerly signed with Odirile ‘Vee’ Sentlo’s Black Money Makers. They are well-known for their hits like ‘Masupatsela’ among others while on the other hand Skazo is a relative newcomer who launched his career with the hit song A ba swe.
Exodus’ new album, Dikatareng contains tracks including the title track Dikatareng, Botshelo featuring Astley Gops, Morena, I am feeling you, Re boile, Masupatsela (Remix), Get down, Vuka and Botshelo (Instrumental).
Skazo’s Inja Ya Khona contains 12 tracks namely, Hoof hoof, Inja ya khona, O ya nhlanyisa, Amen, Makhoneni, Dankie sane, Ayo bayo (featuring JR), Hit and run, Lay low, Sgubu sa kasi, Dali wami, Magatla and Groova.
Well-known kwaito sensation Mzambiya supported the event. The re-invented Mzambiya said in an interview that he had come to Botswana to support ‘the boys’ because they have also supported his Botswana tours in the past. The South African said that he is about to release a new album called ‘Reign Begins’ that would show to both fans and detractors that he has got staying power in the music industry and that he is king of the kwaito genre.
The young kwaito sensation was dressed formally and when asked to explain that he said he intends “to completely change his image.
“I want to make Mzambiya a brand. So it’s important that my maturity should come out clearly in the way I dress, sing and carry myself, ” he asserted.
Although Mzambiya had flu he did not disappoint his fans and gave one of the best performances of the night, Botswana’s own version of Mzambiya, the pint-sized Stompie together with his equally young dancers was also a show-stealer. The boys dished out danceable songs that had revellers dancing the night away. Commenting on Stompie’s performance, Zenzele Hirschfelt said: “This boy has a promising future in the music industry.” Other supporting acts included Wizards of the Desert, Mapetla, Da Vet Crew, By2, Gavorr, Lesh and Extra Melody.
Although the attendance was affected by the foul weather, by midnight, the crowd was sizable and the show went on until the early hours of the morning with Exodus and Skazo performing last.
[Via Mmegi/The Reporter]
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Friday, October 12th, 2007 |
Benedict Chagumuka, the son of the late Chimurenga musician Robbie Chagumuka who died last year, has released his debut album, titled Mwachewe Wandiona.
The six-track album features two tracks done by his late father, one of which is the song Ngoma Kurira taken off the late musician’s 1999 release Magariro. While the album is Benedict’s first, his voice and deep Chimurenga vibes are reminiscent of his late father’s, something that Sulumane Chimbetu has also achieved with effortless ease.
No wonder Benedict dedicates the album to his father and all the other departed ‘Gwenyambiras’. The opening track, Dembare - that has been receiving airplay on radio since the album was released - is a party song celebrating the achievements of Dynamos Football Club. How the young musician manages to control his voice on the song and blends it well with the fast-paced traditional Chimurenga beat makes the song a favourite of many, especially Dynamos fans. Ndini Roza is an adaptation of the popular folk tale about Roza, a talented young singer with a beautiful voice who is taken advantage of by Jimu. Robbie first did the track on his last album that was never released but remixed by Benedict who added his voice to the vocals to alternate with his father’s.
Misodzi mourns the death of talented musicians such as Robbie, Simon Chimbetu, Biggie Tembo and James Chimombe. Mangoma is a song with a simple message calling upon people to celebrate life, Ngoma Kuririra goes the traditional gospel way. The last track is an instrumental to Misodzi. The album was recorded at Track Records while Records and Tape Promotions are marketing and distributing it.
[Via The Herald]
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 |
Legendary Afro pop musical group Osibisa needs no introduction in the world of music. The group has in the past and recent times shaken music platforms, hosting the biggest crowd of all time as well as sweeping significant awards.
Their kind is yet to be seen as questions have been asked as to who would replace them when they finally retire in music.
Though members of the group are getting old, they have gone back to the studios to record their very last album before going on retirement. One of the members, Mac Tontoh left Ghana on Monday September 24 for London to join his pals for the comeback.
He told Beatwaves in a short conversation that “I am not certain about the album title or the album. I have to meet the others before probably making public any further information about the album.”
However, he said the recording would not take less than three weeks and that on his return to Ghana the group would stage a couple of shows.
The group was founded in 1969 by four African and three Caribbean musicians, who were popular in the 1970s.
They included Teddy Osei (saxophone), Sol Amarfio (drums) and Mac Tontoh (trumpet), from Ghana; Spartacus R (bass) from Grenada; Robert Bailey (keyboard) from Trinidad; Wendell Richardson (lead guitar) from Antigua and Lasisi Amao (percussionist and tenor saxophone), Nigerian.
Darko Adams Potato (died 1995) and Kiki Djan (died 2004), both Ghanaians, have also been members of the band.
Many music enthusiasts described Osibisa as godfathers of world music who paved the way for more famous musicians such as Bob Marley, who became popular in the mid-70s.
Osibisa’s music is a fusion of African and Caribbean rythms, jazz, rock, Latin and R&B. Many of Osibisa’s tunes are danceable.
The style of the group influenced many emerging African musicians of the time.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 |
Angolan music band “Impactos 4″ starts this Saturday in the southern Benguela province, a programme of touring and divulging their fourth CD, after having sold it in Luanda last September 29.
This was announced on Friday by members of the group, who guaranteed to “Janela Aberta” programme of the Public Television of Angola (TPA) that they have additional copies of the work entitled “De Nós Para Vocês” to be sold in various regions of the country.
Alcino Semedo, music producer, informed that this promotion programme starts in Benguela province, and Sunday it will head to Lobito city, the two regions holding a high number of fans, like in the Huíla province.
Recorded in Angola and Namibia, the new album counted on the participation of some of the country’s most famous musicians including vocalists Yuri da Cunha and Jeff Brown, chorus girl Ana Semedo, Carlitos Tchiemba, Dalú Rogger (both of Semba Masters band), as well as of Pirika and Godfrey Conde.
Founded in 1982 in Lobito city, Benguela province, by Orlando Semedo, “Impactos 4″ has group members, who are now prominent in the national youth music hall, mainly those “associated with semba, kizomba and zouk music style. Currently integrated by Yola Semedo, Eduina Semedo, Jorge Semedo and Alcino Semedo, the group entered the national market in the early 90s.
[Via Angola Press Agency]
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 |
For Delta State born musical artiste, Essence, things are certainly looking up. The Hip Hop artiste who came to lime light with the sound tracks of TV Opera like Super Story and Domino is currently working on her second album.
Essence whose first album was released on the Kennis music label is also working on releasing her latest effort titled “Timeless” on the same label and is optimistic the new album will do better than the first album. She is presently working towards renewing her contract with the organisation which was signed in 2004 and expires this month.
A single of the ten track album “Good Boy” already on air in most radio stations has met with reasonable level of acceptance. Essence, who is nominated as best vocalist of the decade at the return of the Nigeria Music Award hopes to have her album in the market by the end of the year.
She will be shooting the video for the album which is not restricted to gospel like the first in the next two weeks.
[Via Leadership]
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