5 July 2008
opinion
Lagos — 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?
VERDICT: POOR
Rapper 2shotz has worked for all he's earned in the industry. But he hasn't yet got all he's worked for. As one-half of Foremen ( a nineties rap duo made up of himself and 2ply), 2shotz was already making hits and winning laurels while most rappers today were still unsure whether to plunge into the rap game or not.
And when he took the solo route, he became one of the few rappers to make rapping in vernacular fashionable. 2shotz either likes to keep it real, or he knows no other way to ply his trade.
Two failed albums ('pirated copy' and 'original copy'), a failed deal with Storm records, and inevitable career low saw the rapper take the exit doors -with a promise to be back.
Now, 2shotz is back- armed with the album that'll determine the present and the future of his career. He retains the characteristic 'Umunamu' formula on 'Music Business', gets vocal and production help from Timaya, Terry G, 9ice and Big Lo; and succeeds in delivering an album that should make up for lost time.
VERDICT: ABOVE AVERAGE
Since he returned home last year, he's been touted by pundits as the 'next big thing'. Now, it's time to know whether Banky Wellington has got substance, or he's just all about hype. Mr Capable solves the puzzle. The singer's debut leaves no one in doubt that he can sing. Banky imports his calm, rich-kid demeanour into his music, delivering slow tempo ballads, occasionally upbeat Rhythm and blues, and a lot of melody.
With near-excellent songwriting, brilliant production and sequencing, Mr Capable will soften you up, lure you to cuddle up in bed as you fantasize about a romance that never-will-be - well, until your mood is interrupted by the weak collabo with fuji star Adewale Ayuba.
Ayuba tries but fails to repeat the Jazzman Olofin magic on Mr Capable, dragging the album's performance to an abysmal low
That aside, everyone that has a heart to love; everyone that likes a good song will like most of the cuts on Mr Capable VERDICT: Good Start!His last album 'Mr president' was an absolute failure. Four years after his December 4, 2008 airport altercation with the G-Unit crew, Eedris is still paying the price of his mis-deed. Now, he's back with another album where, like he has become known for, he says one thing this minute, and contradicts it the next. Okay, so the music is not fantastic, the message blurry, and the lyrics pathetic. But, didn't we all agree to 'forgive him for past sins', pretend like nothing ever happened, and buy his album like it was the best thing since Thriller?
So, forget the rating; forget the reviews, forget what the man next to you thinks. Just buy a copy. (Don't worry, you don't have to play it; and if you do, you may consider reducing the volume so neighbours don't sue you for noise pollution)
VERDICT: JUST BUY!His last album 'Mr president' was an absolute failure. Four years after his December 4, 2008 airport altercation with the G-Unit crew, Eedris is still paying the price of his mis-deed. Now, he's back with another album where, like he has become known for, he says one thing this minute, and contradicts it the next. Okay, so the music is not fantastic, the message blurry, and the lyrics pathetic. But, didn't we all agree to 'forgive him for past sins', pretend like nothing ever happened, and buy his album like it was the best thing since Thriller?
So, forget the rating; forget the reviews, forget what the man next to you thinks. Just buy a copy. (Don't worry, you don't have to play it; and if you do, you may consider reducing the volume so neighbours don't sue you for noise pollution)
VERDICT: JUST BUY!
OJB Jezreel has built a thriving career for himself as Nigeria's most-respected producer. But has his singing career earned him as much acclaim? Nah! The 41 year old singer-producer is still battling to win fans over, despite having previously dropped two brilliant R&B albums.
It appears there's something about OJB's singing that fans have yet to come to terms with. Perhaps we're all just used to having him behind the consoles, rather than on stage.
But he's convinced that he's on the right path. And now, he's polished his art finer, spent more time in the studios lacing beats and dropping vocals, putting together materials that'll reveal the new colour of his sound.
The result is a new set of songs he titles 'Jigga's World'.
For the most part of the album, Jigga comes correct, singing his heart out on cuts that swing between R&B, dancehall and pop. But the overall production quality falls short of a man that has helped hundreds of acts (including 2face and Ruggedman) make hits
VERDICT: Above Average
Blackface's talent is never in doubt. But how come the ex-Plantashun Boy is yet to find a formula that'll work in favour of his career? The singer-rapper's new work dangles between dancehall, pop/R&B, reggae and afrobeat - a sure sign that he is yet to find his comfort zone, still experimenting after over a decade in the game.( former colleagues 2face and Faze have since settled for reggae-pop)
But while he may not have found his feet musically, Black packs so much message, activism and consciousness into his verses. So ignore the fact that he could go off-key from time to time, he may fall flat delivering his lines, and the beat may be annoyingly monotonous. Just listen to the lyrics, ignore the melody and the instrumental - that's the only way you'll enjoy 'Me Musiq N I'.
If you're looking for a few outstanding tracks, check out: ghetto girls, erema.First time you hear her sing, you think you've heard her before. Nayo has this exotic, familiar sound that gets you nodding and humming, thinking you're singing along to her soft, calming lyrics, even though you may never have heard her song before. That feeling is unmistaken on her debut Album African girl. The UK-based singer sings from the depth of her soul. And in an era where almost all the ladies are taking their clothes off, tempting us to feast on flesh, rather than notes, Nayo, just like Asa and TY Bello, is a refreshing act to look out for.
From 'desert storm' to 'African girl', and other cuts off her debut, Nayo reminds you of what a singer should be; while the music dares you to take your finger close to the stop button.
Verdict : Brilliant; if you like Asa, and Sade and Dido - you'll like this one!
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
