The Voice (Francistown)
4 March 2008
music review
Now that Pop Star Botswana auditions are through, the show is being beamed on Btv every Sunday between 6pm and 7pm; the finals will get underway in two weeks time at the Btv Auditorium. This Sunday, the public will view the selection of the finalists and next week Friday, the show will be officially launched at Btv Auditorium where the public will be allowed for the first time. Meanwhile Mnet's edition of Idols will get underway very soon too. Watch this space for the schedule of auditions. More big news, Flave will represent Botswana again with its third television production on Dstv. Their latest show is billed to premier on the pay TV very soon. Last but not least, all of you Ol skool lovers, the Gabz Fm Ol Skool Jamz are back by popular demand at Fashion Lounge every first Friday of the month beginning March 7th, featuring the usual suspects. Details next week.
*"This album" states Brando "Bad Boy" Keabilwe, the self-titled Botswana's "Pied Piper of R&B", "was designed to make you feel good".
And it certainly does that and in great measures.
Easily his finest release to date, "The Diary of a Bad Boy" manages in great part to discard the heavy yoke of "urban R&B", and his recent foray into syrupy music that has kept him entwined for a number of years.
This CD really plunges headfirst into the waters of quality soul and a whole number of songs on the album will thrill and delight those who yearn for soulful, summery mid-tempo grooves filled with real instruments, strong vocals and melodies.
Many songs on here feature the remarkable efforts of no less than the talented BK Proctor. Yes, indeed, and this not only elevates the talent of the man and his music but sends it to the stars.
The CD is broken down into three chapters namely; the party, The Bedroom and the after Party.
Although all the songs in these chapters make reasonable listening pleasure, my ultimate chapter just like any other man will have to be "The Bedroom" with songs such as "Sophie", "Tlhogo, Magetla" and "Would you mind".
"The Diary of a Bad Boy" really and truly marks Brando out as a quality adult soul and R&B singer.
Other songs to check out include "Don't Rush featuring Black Picture", "Lemme Know featuring the slick rapping Motswako style of HT" and "Sticks and Stones."
This is a happy, mid-tempo slab of quality 2Oth century orientated real soul and the lyrics, too, are very positive with humour here and there and the end result is the best and most finest musical moment of Brando's entire musical history - surpassing his soulful classics from when he was a member of the Orapa-based group, Ghetto Flava.
Believe it or not, I am NOT an out and about Brando fan. This CD, however, is just MASSIVE. I cannot thank him enough for this album and I only hope that this maturity continues in the future. In a scale of 10, I'd say he's a perfect 20.
*Here's one for all of you that are into early Metalica, ZZ Top, Iron Maiden and Megga Death etc.
On their debut self titled album, Skinflint channel the hammer of the Gods from the get go, exploding onto the scene with absolutely authentic, blues inspired boogie rock that's guaranteed to rock your socks off.
This power trio definitely have the goods and then some, and if this were the 80's these guys would be headlining arenas instead of slugging it out in local clubs, truly stadium rock trapped in a club just waiting to burst out.
I must say the first time I heard them play at the HIV/AIDS Charity festival in Molepolole last year, I was totally blown away.
From the opening track "Feels like an alien,", you get the feeling that this is going to be something special, and your suspicions are right on the money.
Right away it's quite apparent that the boys are true guitar heroes in the grand tradition grinding out monolithic riffs which get into your head and just won't go away.
Their lead work is absolutely incredible, infusing every song with a timeless quality which is reminiscent of a time when heavy rock really mattered.
After assaulting your senses with the opener, they proceed with "Siren." Never missing a beat, we get treated to "Jam," whereupon the band brings an early AC/DC vibe to the proceedings, before ripping through "Trace," which true to its name, is a standout track on an album filled with such tracks, starting off as a heavy riff rocker before morphing into a more meditative piece at the end.
Everything on display here is perfect. From the songwriting, playing to the production this is spot on, and if you're a fan of classic heavy bands from the early 70's run, walk to your local record store and order this one right away.
Trust me, you'll thank me that you did, it's really that good. In fact, this is an excellent local Rock and Roll album to date, in my opinion, what Skinflint have created here is a strong contender for album of the year, and quite possibly the decade as well.
The only thing which needs a revamp is their CD sleeve which screams bad quality and with that I'd give them 4/5.
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