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Botswana: Mel-D Releases a Contemporary Gospel Album
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
MUSIC REVIEW
13 March 2008
Posted to the web 13 March 2008
Gasebalwe Seretse
A young local artiste, Mel Delvan Mutuma otherwise known as Mel-D has released a seven-track album called Turning Point.
The tracks in the album include What God Has Joined Together, All We Need, Together, Me And My House, Let It Rain, What God Has Joined Together (house mix) and You Make Me Dance. Although Mutuma insists that this is not a gospel album, it is evident that most, if not all, of the songs have gospel influence.
The album kicks off with the love song, What God Has Joined Together. The number is dedicated to a lover. It is easy on the ear and has got a strong Christian messages. It says what God has joined together (in marriage) no man shall put asunder.
All We Need Together is a bit on the preachy side as it urges people to convert to Christianity, as "all we need is Jesus".
Perhaps one of the songs that will appeal to listeners across religious boundaries is Together. The song challenges Africans to unite and better their lives. The artiste points out that Africans do not have to wait for other people to come and bring changes in their lives but they have to stand up and do something themselves.
Me And My House is another song that has got a strong Christian theme. It is derived from a verse in the book of Joshua. "I was blind but now I see ... Was lost now I see," says the song.
Let It Rain has got a rave feel to it. Although it is a gospel song, some conservative Christians may not feel comfortable with it.
After Let It Rain, there is What God Has Joined Together (house mix). Although the sleeve suggests that the song is a house mix, this element is barely discernible in the song. You Make Me Dance is an instrumental and the last track in the album.
Mutuma deserves complements for coming up with an album that departs from the normal trends. The young musician has dabbled in other genres not usually explored in Botswana. This means the album has an international appeal. Although the artiste made a brave move by doing this, he should have spent more time on producing the album to make it a better product. The album has glaring flaws that spoil what could have been a great piece of art.
All the songs in Turning Point were composed and arranged by Mel-D and Uzzi. They were mixed and recorded at Kuru Studios by KaBsta.
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The album is distributed by Crossgold Music International.
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