Alexio Kawara - Kana (2008)

Alexio Kawara has been one of the most exciting artists of the urban generation and has continually transformed over the years with a string of hit songs and successful projects spanning over 8 years. Alexio rose to prominence at the turn of the millennium during the days of Delani Makhalima's Shamiso Entertainment alongside artists like the vivacious Plaxedes Wenyika, David Chifunyise, Major Playaz and Sanii Makhalima. His hit song Ndinomhanya was a smashing success on the then Radio 3 charts. Long gone are the days but Alexio is still doing what he does best: singing.


The appropriately titled, Kana, which means Fourth is Alexio's fourth offering after Usazondisiya (2001), Rwiyo Rwangu (2003) and Pfimbi Yangu (2006). On Kana, Alexio totally switched gears and went in a new direction given his earlier releases. This album saw the switch from computer generated music to a predominantly live sound which has a seductively jazzy twist to it. The album already boats of 3 hit songs receiving far more than generous airplay on radio only 3 months after release and by any level is doing very well. Nyaya Yerudo is one of the songs doing well and it is a love song where he promises the girl he loves everything he can give. Lyrically it sounds somewhat like a continuation of Chibvugubvugu.On the album, there are 2 versions of this song and both are equally brilliant with one more inclined to a smooth reggae vibe and the other more to jazz. Karwiyo Aka has been one of the most appreciated songs on the album in which he proclaims the song is for his loved one because the lyrics are all about her. It also has a wonderful video currently airing regularly.

I could not help but marvel at Alexio's poetic lyricism, surely he is a notch or two (maybe even three) above most Urban Grooves artists in the industry. His albums mostly touch on the same topics concerning Inspiration, love, music and parents but he still manages to skillfully present his music with a breath of fresh air. Umu is set to become one of the anthems of the 2009 and come next Valentine's Day im sure many will have this song dedicated to them. It is one of the most honest songs i have heard in a long time. I have to add that Alexio's backing vocalists were nothing short of brilliant throughout the album. Famba is an exciting track that encourages people to live life to the fullest and use their talents as best they can. It has that africaness that reminds me of the Mateo of old with his hit songs like As'hambe Africa and Pamuhacha. Undoubtedly the most talked about song on Kana is Shaina which features Andy Brown. What a song! If there was any song that should lead Zimbabwean in their quest to rise against the odds, this is the song. It is simply a masterpiece. Alexio sings about the will to go on each day when we see such wonderful blessings like the flowing rivers, the light the sun brings and so much more. I believe this songs is one that we will remember for years to come. It's a must hear and contender for song of the year.

All in all this has to be one of the most brilliant offerings by a young Zimbabwean after a massive year with some outstanding efforts from other artists. This album gives Alexio the all important edge because of its maturity and quality. I also understand that this is Alexio's first international release and it is more than deserving. The move to live instruments has worked well for Alexio and his versatility makes his music appealing to people of all walks of life and ages. It has seen him work with guitar guru Clive 'Mono' Mkundu among other greats. He still maintains that 'urban' feel in his music to a good extent. If you haven't gotten yourself a copy of this album you are missing out on some of Zimbabwe's finest music. Go and get one!

Cover Art - 3/10
Music - 8/10
Mixing & Mastering - 8/10
'I Like' Factor - 7/10

Listen to the audio on the track Shaina below

2BG - Wandizadzisa (2006)

2BG has been around for about 6 or so years and have survived the test of time and even internal changes within their group over the years. It goes without saying but the first 2BG girl Rutendo left a lot to be desired as a singer (no pun intended) and her replacement Diana Samkange is by far the better singer which has seen the groups songs improve by a great deal. Now that ive let that off my chest lets go ahead with the review :-)

Wandizadzisa is 2BGs third album and is produced by TBA The Playboy under Chigutiro Records. This album starts off with the subtle Ndibate which is a good song and is as expected, a love song. Not that i have anything against love songs but it has become a bit too easy to predict what most urban groovers will give us lyrically. On the other hand its hard to imagine that they could sing about much else really. Chandaida is stereotypically inclined to the urban sound that was very popular around 2004 with the introduction of Chamhembe which shook the music scene. The song is rather enjoyable and would easily become a radio hit. I think that these three make a good group with an understanding not many would have that is required to make such songs together.

My gem on this album is Basa Rangu which talks about singing being the job they do. The trio tells all the listeners that nomatter what job you do as long as you accept what you do and love doing it then you have done what you are meant to. The song is so well done and is almost like a sing along. I also like the fact that it gives a new edge to the lyrical content of the group. The remake of their earlier hit Famba Zvakanaka was just brilliant, remixes do not come any better i tell you! The song was slowed down and the instrumentation was pure and very artistic. I fell in love with this song. The first version was good (maybe ok) for its day but this one is brilliant. This is one of the few times i agree with remaking your own song years on after the initial effort. I must say the trio has improved overall, their second album was mostly produced by TBA, Take 5ive and Roki and had a bit more versatility with a more party type influence. This time around they slow things down and try to do more ballads that would be good if you are relaxing at home maybe taking a drive in your car.

A lot of the songs have the acoustic guitar and i appreciate what the current crop of urban artists are trying to do in involving as many live instruments as they can to enhance their sound. It is a good step towards countrywide acceptance as a genre for anoe and the future. 2BG leave little to fault on this offering. Both Bloodshow and Kevin Ashley have matured as the years have unfolded. This group remains in the game as one of the groups to beat with Wandizadzisa. Other songs that make this album tick are Chiedza, Pandimire and Tsvarakadenga.

Cover Art - 1/10 (As bad as Stunner's cover if not worse)
Music - 7/10
Mixing and Mastering - 6/10
'I Like' Factor - 6/10

Audius Mtawarira - Day Like This (2007)

Audius is one of the most celebrated Zimbabwean artists and producers of his generation. Besides being a huge success within his own country, internationally he is a recognised songwriter and producer with award winning success for a number of artists including Australia's Delta Goodrem and more recently Australian Idol winner Jessica Mauboy. His smooth ballads have won him many a fan in Zimbabwe having released 4 albums to date.

The man has been back on the scene with the album 'Day like This' released earlier in the year. Audius maintains his formula throughout his albums with predominantly English lyrics and 1 or 2 Shona songs to complete the projects. A point to note is that every song Audius has sung in Shona became a chart topper in Zimbabwe. This offering opens up with What If featuring Sean Ray and it largely defines the sound you will hear throughout the album. It is a smooth yet bouncy RnB tune about 2 people falling in love with each other while involved with other partners. The production is A grade and would compete on any international bar. You can tell that the sound is heavily American influenced like we have known Audius' music to be over the years. The foxy Tegan Rogers features on Limelight Living and thet title track Day Like This with her sweet vocals. The latter has a video which has done well shot on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The song is beautiful and the duet with Tegan is all about an undeniable musical chemistry. The song is about relationship problems which urges couples not to just give up on love when the days are not so good because such days will come and go in relationships.

Audius' style is comparable to the RnB greats like Joe Thomas, Brian McKnight, Silk, and Boyz II Men with a modern twist. One In A Million is one of the songs of the album and will touch many hearts especially the ladies. As the title suggests it compares the lady in Audius' life to the rest who simply dont match up. I cannot help but wonder if Audius was going through a rough patch with someone close to his heart because a lot of songs are about troubles in relationships or love gone wrong. Maybe it is a coincidence, only he knows. The Problem featuring Sean Ray reminds me of songs like So Sick and Let Me love U with the mellow beat and powerful lyrics. I liked the heavily acoustic J's Letter, the beat was solid and very catchy and has 'RnB hit' written all over it given a chance. The same goes for Bruises which is a very sad song that touches on the very sensitive issue of domestic violence. From a Zimbabwean perspective my song of the album is Muchandiona which is a duet with Angela who does a brilliant job. This lovely song is already doing well on the airwaves and is about a child who is telling their parents that they will make it despite who might not have faith in them. It will definitely strike a chord with many Zimbabweans because success is an everyday topic and a successful child is always the pride of their parents.

Day Like This is a winner and puts Audius well ahead of the competition. It is an album that gives RnB the much needed push after a quiet year without too many great albums out there. The man surely knows how to make great music and it is no wonder why he is the current super producer in Australia. For those who love Audius this album does not disappoint at all and for those wanting to try something new this is one of Zimbabwe's finest at his very best.

Get the album @ http://www.inertia-music.com/catalogue/48618/Audius/Day_Like_This/

Cover Art - 8/10 (very professionally done)
Music - 7/10
Mixing & Mastering - 7/10
'I Like Factor' - 6/10


Day Like This featuring Tegan Rogers

Zimbabwe loses a legend - R.I.P Fortune Muparutsa

It was with great sadness that we at XBC Jumpoff received the news of the passing of Fortune Muparutsa. There are few who possess such talent or greatness. We never managed to get to know Fortune personally but we still adored his work. A year ago we played the song Dream Girl on one of our podcasts and it had everything a hit needed: a good sound, mature production, brilliant vocals and touching lyrics. Besides that the sound was sure to have mass appeal. At the time very few people knew that Fortune was making a comeback as a singer after a near 10 year hiatus mostly concentrating on producing for other artists.

Fortune was well respected in the music circles in Zimbabwe. Many artists we came across always expressed their desire to work with him, though for most, his prices were unaffordable(but soooooooooo worth it!). If you wanted an assured hit Fortune was the go-to man. This is evidenced by all the hits he produced like In My Dreams by Innocent Utsiwegota, Kumba Kwenyu by Alexio, Boy U Got To Know by Tia & Come To Party by Major Playaz to mention a few. He was also a mentor to many many people in the industry for example Flash Gordon, Sanii Makhalima, John Jay and other people he closely worked with. The great thing about the songs he produced was they were all of such a high standard and could easily compete internationally by any bar. When i listen to Dzimbaremabwe by V.O.L.U.M.E i still think it eclipses many Hip Hop songs produced even to this day. He really impressed when he worked with Alexio on the song Kumba Kwenyu. The original which Alexio had recorded elsewhere was hard to stomach even with Alexio's great voice. Production quality was poor and at best it typified a sub-standard backyard recording with poor mixing and no mastering at all. Fortune then laid his hands on it and redid the whole song from the production to recording to the mixing then the mastering. The end product made me wonder if it was a different song altogether. That is just one example of the finesse and ability Fortune had.

Many describe him as not having anything close to a bad bone in his body and a very energetic and humble fellow. Us as fans knew him through his music and we loved what we knew and still do. To hear of his death hurt us as if we actually knew him. That is the impact his music had on us. His passing is a sad loss for Zimbabwe, but God made his decision and Fortune is now in a better place. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, we share your pain. Fortune Muparutsa will forever be loved and remembered.

We have done a Tribute show in his honour.
Get the show @:
http://www.xbcjumpoff.mypodcast.com or

http://sharebee.com/ecd48729
Filename: Tribute Podcast - R.I.P Fortune 'W.O.FMan' Muparutsa....mp3 Size: 39.69 MB

Rest In Peace.


Wangu ndega

Acoustic - Sanii Makhalima (2008)

One of the most successful Urban Grooves artists of all time is back with a sizzling album in 2008 after the widely popular Ndofefeterwa. Sanii Makhalima needs no introduction at all following the footsteps of older brother Delani with a very colourful musical career of his own. In recent years we have witnessed his dynamic touch as a producer, sound engineer, song-writer, instrumentalist and singer.

Acoustic is Sanii Makhalima's third album which he mostly produced himself. The title of the album is influenced by the dominance of the acoustic guitar in most of the songs, in a way as a signature of the whole project. This project is a testimony of Sanii's amazing talent both as an artist and producer. Sweet Lady featuring Leonard Mapfumo opens up this piece and it is a song which will go far. With lyrics like 'Maziso ake anopenya senyeredzi' ladies will simply drop to their knees with love after giving this song a listen! Leonard's verse was one of the best he has ever written and he adds weight to this collaboration. Iwewe is a very beautiful song and Sanii picks up from where he left off on Ndofefeterwa. This song is enough for me to call him the king of ballads when it comes to Zimbabwean R'n'B . This does come with stiff competition from artists like Taku Paradza and Alexio Kawara.

One of my favourite cuts is Ngiyakuthanda, it is heart stopping and the rich Ndebele lyrics are mind-blowing. Handimbokusiya has a lovely piano and this song can make your lady cry once the lyrics sink in. I think the great thing about the music on this album is it is not far fetched or too experimental. Sanii has kept his formula and has improved on the quality of his production together with his vocal delivery. It is working well for him. For love songs Sanii is definitely the go-to man. I was surprised by 12 Minute Prayer which portrays Sanii in a very very different light as he talked to 'The Man upstairs'. He asks for forgiveness for all his sins and actually mentions a bit of what he has experienced. It is touching. Even though i have heard Pauri Ndaperera for a while now it still sounded fresh and it's a great inclusion to the album.

I think this is one of the finest productions i have heard out of Zimbabwe. This album can compete internationally by all standards and i would love to see one of Sanii's videos make it on Channel O to open doors for him. For the level of talent he possesses we have a lot more coming our way. I was surprised by the inclusion of Vulela & Usadaro which helped him rise to fame. I love these songs but comparing the quality of his new songs and these, unfortunately they don't quite match up. I do understand that he most likely did it for fans who might have missed these earlier hits. Maybe remixes would have been better, at least that is my opinion. All said and done, Acoustic is a beautiful album, possibly Sanii's best release yet.

Cover Art - 8/10 (Loving it)
Music - 8/10
Mixing & Mastering - 7/10
'I Like' Factor - 7/10

Chamhembe Revolution - Take 5ive & Various Artists (2008)

The mention of the word 'chamhembe' is associated with Zimbabwe's most dominant crop of Urban Groove artists in the past 5 years. Most of the artists have moved on to other recording studios but still strongly associate with the name itself. Chamhembe Revolution is the third compilation out of That Squad Studios a.k.a Chamhembe.

The 'revolution' is all about reinventing Chamhembe without the Roki's, the ExQue's, the Leonard Mapfumo's and so on. The album intro is a recap of some of Chamhembe's most popular offerings like Waenda by Tererai Mugwadi, Nyeredzi by Taurai, Mazirudo by ExQue featuring Adonis and Wakaenda by Ngonie Kambarami to mention a few. Take it as the explanation that Chamhembe is a new crew altogether. The production combo of Take 5ive and TBA is also done and dusted so Take 5ive is soley responsible for this project. The opening track is Baby Don't Go by Kevie which is a smooth RnB ballad about a man who wronged a girl and is asking her to stay. The song is already very popular with a video to the remix featuring The Untouchables produced by Nqo a.k.a Encore. It can be easily mistaken for an American RnB song by Neyo. It's quite a good track.

My song of the album is Nhasi KuneParty by Alexio featuring producer Take 5ive which is a great party song where Alexio gives us his smooth vocals on a bouncy beat. I thought it would be a bit out of Alexio's depth considering that it is more of a dancehall beat but he did well to still maintain his style that many have grown to love. I also liked Hondo and Zvinhu 10 by Stunner. Stunner is definitely one of the best Urban rappers around and his style and wittiness remain mostly unmatched by anyone in the genre. Zvinhu 10 is about the 10 things a certain girl does for Stunner that make him love her. The skits on the album are not as funny as i expected and that's no surprise seeing that Inspectah Fakasimbi (Carlos the Entertainer) is no longer part of the crew. One track that is set to do very well is Inumber Yami by DJ Fizo which is a great kwaito/house track. Nothing much to the song in terms of lyrics but it's great for the dancefloor and parties.

I like the diverse genres shown by the artists and they are testimony to Take 5ive's production prowess. Look out for the track Mangwana by Kevie, i hear its doing very well on the airwaves. This album is by far nowhere near the Chamhembe of old and i dont believe it will make much of an impact like Chamhembe Volume 1 and Chamhembe Plus. There are no real exceptional tracks but the plus is most are definitely listenable. I think Take 5ive is trying a new formula and should maybe try to recreate the success of the older projects. I was disappointed to say the least because i expected more.

Music - 6/10
Mixing & Mastering - 6/10
'I Like' factor - 5/10

Kevie featuring The Untouchables - Baby Don't Go

Move To Da Beat - MC Mighty(2008)

MC Mighty's album has been a long awaited debut since he gave us the single Waa Dem Want on the ever so popular Insecurity Riddim produced by Zimbabwe's own dancehall star Melvin C. Since then he has released more singles like Gyal Wyne which was a club hit in and around Ireland followed by Jah By My Side on the Konzeresa Riddim (the first official Riddim compilation from Zimbabwe).

After giving it a listen i can say this album is energetic and the title 'Move To Da Beat' is appropriate. This energy is prevalent throughout the album pretty much from start to finish. The opening self-titled track 'MC Mighty' has a thumping bassline and a catchy flute to lead. The singjay proclaims his intention to enter our minds and dancefloors in order to stay and give you something different. In short MC Mighty announces his arrival. One thing is for sure, his style is definitely different from the typical Zimbabwean dancehall artist. To make a good impact and carve a name for yourself you do need to give people what they do not hear everyday. The title track Move To Da Beat is a bouncy track and can do well on the airwaves given a chance. Having said that, it applies to many tracks on this album.

Bruk Out is a true party tune and i would like to see it do well on the charts. It is guaranteed to make many many people dance. The ability to hold a track without a collaboration is what i like about MC Mighty, he can do that. The collaborations on this album are top notch like the mellow Summer Vibe featuring the lovely Jennifer Hurley. If ever he decides to do a video this one should be a contender. Miss Hurley is an immense talent and gives this song an exceptional edge. Hold Ya Head Up is a great song which sets to inspire anyone and everyone who might be going through a tough time to stay strong. I particularly like this song because of the message, the lyrical content is great as a message to the younger people of today who need the guidance. Same goes for the gem Why where MC Mighty raises some very serious questions about the world we live in.

I think the album is well balanced and production-wise is definitely high class. Also watch out for Let's Party featuring Jennifer Hurley & Rave It Up. I think One and Only was a bit 'off' vocally, it really did not tickle my fancy and maybe the chorus would have been best sung by someone else. This album is definitely of commercial appeal and will catch the attention of the younger generation. The type of music is dancehall with a mixture of hip hop beats and a pop influence that makes it easy to cross boarders reaching out to people of different backgrounds. On a Zimbabwean scale, it is one of the best Zim dancehall albums around.

Cover Art - 6/10
Music - 7/10
Mixing & Mastering - 7/10
I Like Factor - 7/10

Get the album here:
http://www.payloadz.com/go/sip/?id=503981

Return To Life -Rassie Ai(2008)

Return To Life is the official full-length debut offering by one third of DKR, Takura Makoni known in the music circles as Rassie Ai. Having been in the music industry for many years since the days of The Future Compilation by Delani Makhalima, it has been a long time coming and definitely an album overdue.

This album is definitely in a different class compared to previous efforts by Rassie Ai and marks a significant evolution in the man's musical approach. It boasts of a sound untapped by many with undeniable African energy carried through the musical composition. The opening track, Blue Steel World is an insight into the exploits of humans in developing the world , creating an imbalance in different societies stripping them of pure forms of living they had prior to that. This song is an introduction to a world of thoughts through the eyes of Rassie Ai. Smiles & Cries is definitely a gem and is like a personal Rassie Ai diary about inspiration to live. It talks about the difficulty of life in our day to day and how what we live for raises us from those downs. It is my favourite track on this album.

Rassie Ai openly vents his frustration at the hypocrisy of life and the political system in place. As is in the song Free To Breathe he picks up from the lyrical intensity of Blue Steel World. The emphasis on reality of the world is and what it could be is synonimous throughout this project. Step Over Them(video below), has received a lot of airplay and exposure as the lead single off this album. I instantly connected with its 'Zimbabweaness' and the call to pride ourselves in our homeland. I also enjoyed the title track Return To Life which calls us all to enrich our lives with the ernest purity of love and simplicity. To describe Rassie Ai based on this album i would say he is a soldier for the righteous cause of the African spirit.

I think some people might find it hard to understand this album due to the 'patois' inclination in his lyrics and delivery. It's something that might take some getting used to and i had to give it a few listens to really have a more complete idea of what was being sung in the songs. Believe it or not i am still trying to find a proper classification for this genre. I usually like my albums to have more tracks but this 8 track journey is straight to the point. This is no longer the Rassie Ai of old and he is more mature, has far more controlled delivery with a twist of Bob Marley influence.

Cover Art - 9/10(one of the best i have seen)
Music - 8/10(mature and refreshingly different)
Mixing & Mastering - 8/10
'I Like' Factor - 7/10

Get the album here: http://www.kynrecords.com


Step Over Them

Backstage - Shayndingz(2007)

If you were/are an Urban Grooves fan you probably remember the 2003 hit single 'Letter To My Ex' which became an anthem on Radio 3 (now PowerFM) from the album Rudo Rwedu. That was the introduction to ladies man Shayne Ndingindwayo a.k.a Shayndingz. Since then it has been pretty much uphill for the Urban Grooves artist. He is back with a new album, Backstage, currently doing rounds on the airwaves.

Backstage is his sophomore offering and seals his stake in a well decorated career spanning over 5 years now. The album is under Chigutiro Records of which Shayndingz is a stakeholder and is produced by Sipho 'TBA The Playboy' Mkhuhlane. The lead single Celebrity featuring Diana & Maskiri has already done very well on TV(video on Youtube) and radio, despite the controversial lyrics ascerting the beef between him and fellow artist Stunner. The song is about how our music 'celebrities' really live in Zimbabwe proclaiming that popularity on radio doesn't quite represent material wealth or day to day living. The title track Backstage is a smooth jam featuring Tererai Mugwadi where Shayndingz talks about life as an artist, his journey and how he enjoys 'the life'. He maintains the same laid back confident flow he has popularised only now with a lot more drive in his delivery.

This time around he comes back with a level of maturity and this is prevalent in songs like Gogo featuring Nox. The song is a dedication to his Grandmother focusing on her inspiration and guidance in his life. Nox did a great job on the hook, it is one of the best songs on the album. Ndinokuda featuring Nyasha is a song for his daughter explaining so much about Shayndingz' personal life as if it were an open diary. What i like about the song is that it is exactly what our young artists need to do more: sing songs from the heart that are part of our lives daily but not only limited to love. I appreciated that in these songs he let us know more about himself and really used the music to express his inner feelings. Of all the songs on the album, Iwe Ndiwe featuring Ngonie Kambarami is a cut above the rest. The beat is infectious and Ngonie totally ripped the chorus. It is a straight-to-the-point love song about a girl who makes him feel complete and he proclaims more than love for her. The song is a certified hit.

Shayndingz has definitely improved and still relies on the same formula of great collaborations to reduce monotony and add substance coupled with versatility. It is safe to say Backstage is a balanced album and maintains the same consistency throughout. However, i think now that we(and he) know exactly what Shayndingz can do and is comfortable with, i would like to see him step out of his zone a little, like he did with the song Dai Tiri Tose on his previous offering, to give us a new dimension to his music. This serves as a let down because the songs do become predictable in the end. It can be argued that lyrically he has no real 'depth' compared to other rappers. This may be true in its own right but to his credit for what he does, he does well and keeps it simple. I think he has so many hit songs because at times fans do not want complex music... they simply want to enjoy what they hear which is what he gives them. Quality-wise the standard is good, among some of the better Urban Grooves productions i have heard in a while.

I think the ones to enjoy this offering most are those who like mellow RnB-influenced Urban Grooves with a laid back rap. You will probably also dig this if you like artists such as ExQue, P.Diddy and David Chifunyise. It's worth having in your collection!

Cover Art - 6/10(Pretty good, different but points lost for the spelling mistake)
Music - 6.5/10
Mixing and Mastering - 7/10
'I Like Factor' - 7/10


Celebrity Remix featuring Diana & Maskiri

Nox - Chapter 3 (2007)

Nox is a household name in Zimbabwean Urban Grooves with 3 albums under his belt to date. Having risen to prominence in 2004 after a well worked single in Maria which was produced and also released on the compilation by Roy & Royce entitled New Discoveries, Nox has gone from strength to strength. Maria also featured on his debut album, Wandipengesa (2005) which did very well on the charts. He has featured on all Chigutiro compilations with hit songs like Chigutiro Anthem and many more.

Chapter 3 is the last offering from Nox which boasts of a star studded cast from the Chigutiro Family and others. The hit song of the album is Ndinoshuwa featuring Leonard Mapfumo. This song has been well received by the Zimbabwean community and the video gets regular airtime on national TV. It is a smooth song with some exceptional vocals from Nox singing about missing parental love after losing his parents. It is a touching journey about growing up with relatives and lacking that influence to succeed but otherwise leaving it in God’s hands. This song is definitely one that will go further than being a good listen. Sanii Makhalima’s production prowess is beyond phenomenal on this song.

I am particularly intrigued by the song Africa which has 2 different beats on the one song. I think Nox has a far more mature approach to music than most urban artists and can comfortably sing about other topics other than love. Africa is an influential piece about Africa’s potential which is yet to be tapped. It encourages people to get up and work hard to realize their dreams. Washanduka is a lovely song with a beat that will make you rewind the song over and over again, even though the song is a bit sad being about love gone wrong with a partner no longer interested in the other, it is still quite enjoyable. I have always maintained that Nox does not have the strongest singing voice but he knows exactly what his voice can do and he does it brilliantly and sweetly. I also liked the song featuring Urban Grooves prettiest lady Diana Samkange called Nerudo which sounds heavily house influenced. Nox also did the unexpected and engages in an RnB rendition of James Chimombe’s hit song Kudakwashe in which he features Blush and Trevor Dongo.

This album is littered with hits and it is not hard to see why. Songs like Musadaro adopt a zouk kizomba feel that has been dominant in French, Portuguese and Spanish speaking nations across the world. The gem has a Caribbean feel that is nothing short of addictive. Other songs to watch out for are Sarudzai, the TBA produced Dai Muripo featuring Alexio and the very very well done Nguva Ichauya featuring the sweet voice of Cindy Raw. This album marks Nox as one of Zimbabwe’s best urban vocalists at the moment and looks like he is not giving up his spot anytime soon! This one is definitely worth the buy if you are into RnB influenced Urban Grooves from people like Alexio, Ngonie, Sanii Makhalima and Trevor Dongo.


Music - 7/10
Mixing & Mastering - 6.5/10 (not uniform, you can tell songs were recorded in different studios by different people)
'I Like' Factor - 6/10

Zhizha/Time To Sow(2008) - Willis Wataffi

From the glory days of Africa Revenge as a Bulawayo based afro-pop/kwaito outfit with Chengetai and Mehluli 'Tazz' Moyo, Willis Wataffi Kachambwa (affectionately known as Willis Wataffi in music circles) has come a long long way and seen major success as a Zimbabwean musical genius. After Chengetai left Africa Revenge to pursue a successful solo career in South Africa, the remaining 2 left for Harare to carry the Afrika Revenge torch and gave us one of the most successful Afro-pop/Jazz albums to be released in the country, Qaya Muzik (Music From Home). Since then Willis and Tazz have parted ways and it has given birth to the solo career of Willis Wataffi and hence his debut album Zhizha/Time To Sow.

The man has maintained that same Afrika Revenge sound and it comes as no surprise as he kept the whole band as it is minus Tazz of course. It is a very interesting album and the first thing that tickled my fancy was the fact that Willis' multi-lingual capabilities are outstanding and form the benchmark for every song. I can definitely say that many of the lyrics are beyond normal comprehension simply because of that fact. The title track Zhizha/Time To Sow has done very well and it reminds me of the Afrika Revenge hit song Wanga. The lyrics are completely different but that catchy sound still exists. It is a song about grabbing an opportunity with both hands as the title suggests asking us all what are we going to do when things get tough? Arumwa is a jazzy piece that is set on mid-tempo about a family's quest for survival in this cold world with success prompting them to visit the witchdoctors to further their good fortunes. He talks about how some people will stop at nothing to be on top of the world. These words about life are also evident on the track Enchanted Voices.This track is about how us as human still rise beyond cultural barriers or skin colour yet there are still some people who put greed before anything aiming to hinder any of this progress.

On the song MaBrake, Willis truly showed his class, talking about how God has blessed him with this talent and proclaiming that 'Khaya music haina maBrake'. It is true afro-pop with the lead acoustic, bongo and lyrics that are very enjoyable. I hope younger upcoming artists take a page from his book. Rusambo sounds like it is an extension to the story behind Mhoro from the previous Afrika Revenge offering. It is a song about the steps to marriage between a young man and woman so in love vachitamba chikudo with the lyrics 'Iwe mhani iwe, iwe mhani mudiwa wangu' sung in the softest, sweetest way possible. The man is about to pay the bride price and he is excited at spending the rest of his life with his love. The duet with Tererai is simply breathtaking and reminds me of how exciting love can be. This is my favourite song of all on the album and gets my thumbs up any day. The track has already done very well on SpotFM and PowerFM.

The social commentary is established maturely to give the album an exceptional balance of entertainment. I am also a huge fan of the live instruments over computer music. It's no wonder there are so many hits on the project because it is very well done. I don't have much more to add other than that is it simply beautiful. Also watch out for the songs Kanyemere, Vukani Vukani and Chura. I am tempted to highlight that it would be nice if he did not mix languages so much to make it more understandable. He might lose a fan or 2 simply due to the fact that they cannot understand his lyrics. On the other hand i feel that if he changed it would be unfair to his talent and could make him more ordinary than anything. Opinions opinions... But all in all this album is simply outstanding and many jazz fans will love it, think of a younger, multi-lingual Tanga wekwaSando with more vocal finesse, less comical but still entertaining, backed by Jazz Invitation then you get Willis.

Cover Art - 8/10 (i totally dig the Africaness of it)
Music - 8/10 (mature and well done)
Mixing & Mastering - 8/10
I Like Factor - 7/10

The Diet Song - Cynthia Mare *Music Video*

Now this one is a winner for all the curvy honeys out there. Cynthia Mare with The Diet Song. If you are tired of diet after diet errmmm i think this is the song you ought to listen to, ask anyone who listens to BBC 1xtra(tune in if you can) in the UK and those who catch G-Child's info centre will tell you about it. With a strong bassline characterised by synth strings melodically blending with her powerful voice, Cynthia gives this song her all and makes us all realise that nomatter what they say you gotta be proud of yourself always. The video is now out and you cant miss the action, it is hot! The picture quality is amazing and so is the production. Thumbs up to Director Ben Peters who has worked with many UK artists including Bashy for making this video so lovely. Zimbabwe you are well represented. Keep it up Cynthia! Watch the video below.

Listen to the song @
http://myspace.com/cynthiamare


The Diet Song

Cynthia Mare - The Diet Song

Mixtape Vol 1(2008) - 25 To Lyf

25 To Lyf have been around for some time now and believe me when i say Mutare is fully represented. For those in the know i can definitely say a lot has changed since the days of Bubble, Pull Up and so forth. Their latest drop on the market is a free mixtape featuring some of the best MCs Zimbabwe has produced. (YES IT'S FREE!***)

The production team of SubZero and DJ PeeWee did a great job with the whole mixtape maintaining a high standard that will go a long way and defining the path for many producers out there! Chosen One by Snypa Kidd heads the mixtape where the MC proclaims that he is the chosen one for this game being at it since 14 and fair enough i'm sure someone out there will want to prove him wrong which wont be easy. After hearing Flirt by J-Boss featuring Tricky T i was out of words. With a groovy bassline and Twista like flows topped up by a Jamaican type chorus, these 2 dudes shut it down. By far my favourite track of the whole compilation. Another MC who impressed me judging from his previous work is MC Chita, he has certainly upped a gear and the evidence is on the song Boss.

The inclusion of Inspectah Deck alone is most likely going to get more people to turn their heads in anticipation. By all means, it is worth it! Revolutionary Minds by Metaphysics featuring Inspectah Deck boasts of a star studded cast for starters and a message that will stay in the minds of many. I marvel at the maturity of the content in this song because its something many MCs ought to learn from and aim to bring out in their music. The backtrack is solid to say the least. Far Away by Fame Nickles and Animal by Snypa Kidd are on the same page as well so if you happen to like Revolutionary Minds you will most likely appreciate these two.

A few tracks were disappointing like Let It Go performed by Spaceman, not so much for the song itself but overall production quality was not up to scratch. The instruments sounded slightly 'busy' and the emphasis of the track was on the chords and synths where i would have preferred a more complete kick and snare to hold the whole track together. In the same category falls TLC by Speezy which is not quite 'there'. I think it needed different instruments to get that full RnB sound out. Besides that some of the vocals were a bit questionable and times when the lady seemed to go a bit out of sync with the beat. I think to up the bar it would be good to hear more of the MCs tackling issues that affect us as people because as a head i want to connect with the MC as a person, his/her mantra and not only their flow. I also feel that African Hip Hop can do so much more beyond doing it like how the Yanks do to give our Hip Hop its own identity.

Most of the tracks on the mixtape definitely got my nod of approval and y'all should look out for My Life by Louie Loco, Hardknock & Bars of Death by Snypa Kidd, Mental State by TekNeek, and Wotcha Gon Do by Q-Riggah. What i dig about the mixtape is the balance between the 'deep' tracks and those that can pass for commercial viability. The overall standard of music is great, i connected with the versatility and this project is set to put Zimbabwean Hip Hop on the map. I wouldn't be out of line to say it is the best mixtape out of Zim.

Download it @ http://sharebee.com/e0803a29

Cover Art - 6/10
Music - 7/10(will sit well with a lot of mainstream hip hop + crunk lovers)
Mixing & Mastering - 7.5/10(good quality overall)
'I Like' factor - 6/10

Cola - Shot The Wiz *music video*

Ekoneni, the long awaited album by one of Bulawayo's finest, Shot The Wiz, is now out. With many years of experience under his belt, the album is a true sizzler and establishes Shot The Wiz as one of the top kwaito artists in Zimbabwe at the moment. The lead single 'Cola' has already done very well among kwaito lovers in Canada and USA so check out the video below!

Get the album @ http://www.stw.ekoneni.com

Vangani(Konzeresa Riddim) - Jusa *Music Video*

With the Konzeresa Riddim CD out in full force and blessing every Zim party there is, as promised Jusa has come back with the video of his hit single Vangani. It is already doing rounds on Channel O and we look forward to seeing it on the charts. Zimbabwean girls are lucky to have guys that treasure them like this don't you think?

Jusa - Vangani

Nesto *New videos 2008*

Nesto is back with a new album after about 3 years hiatus since the success of his debut album Ernestly Speaking. This album had hits such as the former number 1 Ndega Ndega featuring Lamone, Zvidikidiki and Zvibvunze featuring Pastor G to mention a few. 2008 is another big year for Urban Grooves, check out Nesto's new videos from the album, The Importance of Being Ernest, below

My Chocolate


Homewrecker


Kabira featuring Alexio Kawara

One Ariega(2008) - Cee Jay

Cee Jay is back on the radar in 2008 after the success of his previous offering Desperate Measures. I can confirm that this time around, it is Cee Jay like you never heard before. Seriously. One can almost tell that his focus was really Zimbabwens at large unlike the last CD which was probably appreciated far more by African Americans and the younger Zim generations.

First up the album started off well with the title track, One Ariega. It is more like an intro into Cee Jay's world and it definitely managed to impress me especially as the first song. Turn Around was a surprise jam for me especially because the particular riddim was one i didn't like much. The great part was Cee Jay still managed to do his singing and rapping well on the song The song African Party made me realise that Zim/Kenya collabos can work. What i didn't really like was the instrumental which i felt could have sounded a lot more '2008' coz it sounded like it was produced around the late 90s. This turned out as the downside of the album, some instrumentals could have greatly improved. Nice to hear the girl rap tho! The shortage of female African rappers hurts me to the core. We need more ladies stepping up.

The more i listened the more i appreciated that Cee Jay has indeed improved greatly. Murikurasika Papi sounded far much better, given the initial version i heard a few months ago. Talk about a sing along and Ngaarohwe is a song many will probably love. The CD boasts of some really touching lyrics embracing relevant issues for example on the Lucky Dube inspired 'Tell Me Why'. Given this fact, it sort of puts Cee Jay in a good spot against other artists within this genre where generally for most artists their content leaves a lot to be desired. The mature content really takes centre stage on the last 3 songs of the album which were all recorded live and have some beautiful guitar playing in the background. Of course among these 3 is my song of the album, 'Ziyaspora' which is a masterpiece! I really connected deeply with this song and CeeJay deserves to give himself a pat on the back for a well written and well sung tune. Kinda reminds me of Tuku and Steve Makoni.


This 16 track album is worth a listen if you like Urban Grooves. Overall this was a decent offering and an amazing effort from Cee Jay. Sample the CD below

Get it @ http://www.rudeboy-records.com/

Cover Art - 7/10 (i'm feeling the simplicity, sometimes it works!)
Music - 6/10 (many Zimbabweans will relate to it easily)
Mixing and Mastering - 6/10 (a good effort here, better leveling needed)
'I Like Factor' - 7/10

Konzeresa riddim(2008) - Various Artists

Konzeresa Riddim, produced by Jusa, has to be one of the most anticipated albums among Zimbabweans out here in the diaspora at the moment with everybody tryna get their hands on it. It comes as no surprise after the free megamix that was flying all over the place which made people go crazy a few months back. Now that the full CD is out I had a good listen of all 22 tracks.

The song Kukonzeresa by King Labash, from which the riddim derives its name, has been a major hit in Zimbabwe and it leads the way as the opening song. I hate to even say this but the album version is so watered down and lacks the fire that the original has. It was simply a huge let down I don’t have a clue how King Labash managed to kill his own song. Luckily, there are quite a few songs that actually saved the whole album and I quickly forgot about my initial disappointment. Songs like ‘Crazy World’ by Alfire, ‘Tell Me Why’ by Cee Jay, ‘Tichatopedzerana’ by Dubbie Benzie and ‘Jah By My Side’ by MC Mighty (to mention a few) were largely enjoyable and are testimony to the maturing breed of Zimbabwe’s dancehall MCs.

The compilation also boasts of some established Zimbabwean artists like Rassie Ai and Yardsteppa who both featured on The Future way back in 2000. Yardsteppa’s Usatuke Amai NaBaba advises the youth to respect their mother and father or else bad luck will follow in everything. Talk about leading the way! Vangani is an inspirational tune for all the Zimbabwean girls performed by Jusa and will see his female fans increasing in numbers. The video is out soon and I hear it is already doing rounds in the motherland on Channel O. The downside to this compilation is that many of the tunes are truly very forgettable. It could have been a much better idea to limit the number of artists to a decent 12 or so and have some sort of a screening process to raise the bar for quality. In a quest to custom make the riddim for every artist, which was a very noble idea, I feel that the riddim ended up losing the spark that made it so catchy in the first place. Sometimes certain things are better left as they are but then again we all learn from mistakes. I hope these pointers are helpful for coming projects.

For Zimbabwe’s first riddim compilation to be released commercially it is one that will make many people very happy. Boyz remaTune kunyanya marasta will love this album which showcases some of the upcoming artists in the industry. Good work for everyone involved, keep them coming!

Get it @ http://cdbaby.com/cd/konzeresariddim

Cover Art – 8/10 (lovely artwork!)
Music – 5/10 (some songs really could have been better)
Mixing & Mastering – 5/10
‘I Like Factor’ – 6/10