allAfrica.com: Nigeria: All the Music Everyone's Talking About (Page 1 of 2)

We were getting used to seeing him as the bonafide hooks man - the kinda singer whose cameo appearance on a song automatically catapults it into 'hit-dom'. And many were scared on his behalf: will he end up like Pasto Goody Goody (who comes correct, featuring on other artistes' songs, but never pulls it off with his own solo projects)? Or will he become like Akon (who comes correct all times - either on his own offering, or on others')?

Now, with his second solo album, 9ice has put all worries to rest. Not only does he come absolutely correct on 'gongo aso', the bestselling album that has thrown him into international consciousness; he has even planted his feet more firmly than all the acts he has featured for.

His first album 'Certificate' had a couple of bangers (like pass me the ganja and little money) and many fillers. But on Gongo Aso, 9ice had no room for fillers. From street credibility to photocopy, pamurogo and gongo aso, to ade ori, party rider, Kasa final and wedding day, 9ice and his producer ID Cabasa leave no stones unturned in letting us know they mean business.

If you thought traditional music was dying, long overwhelmed by urbane music, Gongo Aso is the album that'll make you remove your jacket, do three summersaults in the air, as you rejoice and merry. 9ice finds a brilliant way to fuse elements of juju, Fuji into his otherwise urbane sound. And he packs so many proverbs, philosophy and lore into every verse he'll make even some professors of Yoruba pause the CD and ask: 'what was that he just said?'

Verdict: A sure contender for album of the year!

It is unfortunate that Obi Asika is closing down Storm Record at a time when Naeto C is dropping his debut album. Because, really, this appears to be one of the few Storm albums that might guarantee return on investment.

'U know my P' has been long in coming, but the wait has been worth it.

Forget the fact that the rapper and his crew successfully used new media (facebook, myspace and blogs) to generate a pre-launch hype like never before; forget the fact his official album launch was described by many as 'off the hook'.

Let's face the music: the 16 track LP Naeto C has been cooking for years. The Abuja-based rapper does not pretend to be a thug, he doesn't pretend like he's got some indecipherable poetry under his belt; and he definitely does not attempt to incorporate all those 'naija elements' in order to appeal to the ghettoes. Naeto tells us he is his own man on U know my P, dropping his lines with precision, flowing smoothly like Jay Z and portraying the lifestyle of the urbane Nigerian kid.

Of course he's got a lot of help from Wande Coal, Ikechukwu, Don Jazzy and TY Mix - folks who understand the mind-set of today's music buyer. But all through the album, Naeto retains his persona, stamping his signature all over.

U know my p is not the kind of album tat blow the roof and send the entire nation into a frenzy, but lovers of real hip hop will embrace this one with open arms. Already, the first singles U know my P and kini big deal are catching on - if you like these two, you'll like the rest of the album; especially Ashewo, One for me ( both ft. Wande Coal) and Superman

Unfortunately, the album could have done without the experiment with Saro Wiwa on E mara mma great concept for a highlife-hip hop mesh, but something about it just didn't work out!

Verdict: Great production, great delivery. Great debuTIs it possible for one man to have it all? Well, if you've met etcetera, it's likely you'll scream yes ! The debutante sings effortlessly, he strums like a wizard, croons like a veteran and performs like the gods of music have consumed his soul.

And guess what? What comes out of his debut CD is the kind of music many have sworn will never thrive in Nigeria. Etcetera is 15-tracked collection of soft rock, deep blues that at times wanders into reggae territories, and even a bit of calypso! Etcetera's sound may make you think of Aerosmiths this minute, Jim Reeves the next, and even Robin Thicke (or Bryan Adams!) a while later, but the singer retains a style uniquely his - a guitar-driven sound, mostly solo vocals, and a fusion of African elements alien to his contemporasy world over.

VERDICT: Near-excellent

Yes, STYL Plus is back. But, unlike the title suggests, not any better than their first and second albums. The once-upon-a-time R&B saviours are stuck in the middle of their career, and the new body of work makes it look like they haven't found the way up on the map.

A very touching tale, a conscious attempt to capture a wider fan base, a few good-could-have-been-better cuts, and the all-familiar trio harmony; yet the album itself tells you it lacks the infectious melody of Olufunmi, runaway, or Imagine That -all cuts that established the group as a trio to die for.

This album may be getting scathing reviews, the boys getting unanimous bashing for failing to promote the 'Expressions' album, and for following it up with a less-excellent album, but if you listen to track one on 'Back&Better', you'll realise that, whatever happens STYL Plus has one thing going for her: isn't she the only group whose members have not fallen apart?

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