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Botswana: Culture Spears Releases
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The Voice (Francistown)
1 April 2008
Posted to the web 2 April 2008
Francistown
Folks, Culture Spears is back & back with a huge bang! I wanna know what these guys "smoke or drink" when they get in the studio cos if I was an artist I would definitely ask them for some too hahaha! The six track album, Khudu, is set to place them right back at the top of the charts.
They have taken off exactly where they left off with Kulenyane with more fast tempo songs. Several years ago, I couldn't stand traditional music but if Culture Spears continues producing music like this, all you will hear in my car would be traditional music. The tunes, Khudu & Kgasa are just blazing!
Rudie believes that some artists start out strong, and fizzle out quickly when some bands remain virtually unknown for years before having a break out hit.
And then there's Amadodana Ase Wesile, a band that started strong to get here and they're still floating atop many new and upcoming Gospel groups.
As I've said before, I always find it stirring to review Gospel music.
The thing with this kind of music is that it is, I believe, the one which guided me throughout the days of my prime when it used to blare through the speakers of my mum's Omega gramophone.
And to be precise, this particular group was a big hit during those days all courtesy of their distinct voices, melody and singing prowess.
On their latest album, simply entitled "Hale Mpotsa Tshepo Yaka," the title song starts off with a rousing beat that declares "My faith is in God" in an upbeat devotion song that addresses our awe and fear of a Mighty God.
The Gospel ensemble's unique sound hasn't varied by much through their albums, but it has grown a bit. With less emphasis on Bible tapping, Amadodana Ase Wesile has produced an 11-track album that will appeal to anyone who appreciates a high level of quality in their music.
But that doesn't mean this is all vanilla, oh no. The inclusion of instrumentals in the song "Tumelo" is a total no-no as I feel it's taking away the group's long known unique signing style.
However, despite all this I believe the song will make you want to jump up and dance along to the pop-rock beat, while "Bokang Modimo" has a more mellow worshipful sound and "Ke Kgotso" is one of those incredible songs that you're not entirely sure if it's written for another person, or if it's directed to God.
Other songs to check include the all famous "Modimo re Boka Wena," "Bona Ho Hlahile Maru," and "Holokile."
There is no question where this band's allegiance lies, but the songs never get heavy-handed. Instead they're very preachy.
All I can say is that "Hale Mpotsa Tshepo Yaka" is almost universally radio friendly, and still retains a quality and uniqueness that will keep fans from all over the music spectrum coming back for more. It scores 4/5 on the Rudie's music barometre.
It must be tough to be Culture Spears.
On the one hand, your latest album, Khudu, marks your fourth year as a leader and hit maker in the contemporary traditional or folklore genre.
And on the other one, the album, Khudu marks your forth year as a leader and hit maker in the contemporary traditional or folklore genre.
Wait! Umm! I'm basically saying the same thing.
Ahhh! And that's Culture Spears' biggest problem.
They have a track record and legions of fans who expect them to be "Culture Spears"- whatever that means to them-each time they record a new CD.
What I'm trying to say here is that their latest offering entitled Khudu sounds no less from their past album, Kulenyane.
When I slid the CD to listen for the first time, I was shocked to discover that the first song, Jeremane, sounds exactly like Kulenyane.
From the beat, the melody and the lyrics.
It's as if the group can't take away the Kulenyane aura out of their medullas.
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All I can say is that the group could have recorded an album which drifts away from their past success - and if it could be a hit, that would sure be a nice bonus.
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