Winky D - Vanhu Vakuru (2008)

Winky D is one of dancehall's most prominent artists in Zimbabwe and he has been gaining momentum from the early days. He rose to prominence on the Luckspin Riddim in 2004 with MuRasta which became an anthem from his release entitled War. From there it has been pretty much uphill for the soft spoken young star. I really should have done this review a few months back but ndaingoti ndichaita lol. Back to the business of the day!

Vanhu Vakuru came with much expectancy given that the dancehall circuit has been ignited of late with releases from other contenders like King Labash, Jusa, Kin Shaddy, MC Mighty, Trinta and many others in the past year. The title track is on the Dragon Neck Riddim by Eye Spy Entertainment headed by DJ Tinah. The riddim is not particularly to my liking but the song by Winky D is the best of the lot on the riddim. Barika is a song to remember with lyrics like:

'Samambo Solomon ndinorima mabhebhi,

ndozopisa vaya vanoda kujima mabhebhi,

ndichibigga vaya vanovhima mabhebhi,

kwete kurohwa nehana ozopima mabhebhi,

neveClass kuratidza kuziva mabhebhi,

kuita small house kuratidza kuchiva mabhebhi,

Officer mirai kutikitivha bhebhi,

sungai ngochani inogaira ingava bhebhi.'

I could not stop laughing in enjoyment after listening to this song and it sums up most songs on the album. Ndiwe Une Yese is a love song about a girl who has got it all. It is one of the slower songs on the album but still exciting. Things are very different from this man's eyes and he conveys his feelings in a way i have not heard before. Vanosema Rasta is fast paced with an energy that features on many of the tracks. Winky D has this sort of ghetto talk (no pun intended) that just makes his music so undeniably Zimbabwean and different. His translation of our everyday talk and situations into music is a talent not many possess. It was great to hear the inclusion of the hit song from a few years back called Bhutsu which is about smelly feet and shoes (i know hahaha). I liked Chaputika which is like his announcement to everyone of his intention to stay on top for a long time and that this album is no fluke (which i certainly agree with).

There has been talk of the intense message of 'violence' on this album. I think for starters it depends on how you would like to look at it but it is no lie that a good number of the songs involve lyrics focusing on beef and physical altercations. The biggest hit from this album, Rokesheni which has been on the charts for months (yes, months!) is about the stand offs between people who live in different high density neighbourhoods around Harare. He talks about their different strengths when it comes to 'hood politics'. About the same content applies for his latest hit, Vanotaura which has only worsened the claims that his music is too violent. Other songs in the same light are Sutu Yezvibhakera, Dzungu (on the Doom Dust Riddim), Usazvifambise Mbiri and Maprati.

His flow becomes predictable after a while yet you still look forward to hearing to what else he has to say. To be honest, i was tempted to quote so many lyrics from this album but i would fill pages doing that. Most of the tracks here are top notch and dancehall fans as well as Winky D of old will enjoy this album beyond doubt. This soccer loving 25 year old is on top of his game by all means. I am looking forward to hearing his next album which he is currently working on. If you like Zim Dancehall i suggest you get this album as soon as yesterday. Urban Grooves fans might take a liking to this as well, i would buy it just for the enjoyable lyrics. Great work!

Music - 7/10

Technical Sound - 6/10

'I Like' Factor - 7/10

Flavour P - Original Zimbo (2008)

Flavour P was relatively unknown until he took the internet by storm dropping a number of songs in 2008 that were well received by the Zimbabwean community with access to his material. The Original Zimbo album is co-produced by Jusa of ABRA fame. I hear that Flavour P has 2 albums prior to this offering which i am yet to hear and would have loved to hear them to have a bar to use as a comparison on how he has grown over the years.

The first proper single from his third album Original Zimbo, Ndirikuda Kufara which features Zimbabwe's Kora Award Nominee Jusa Dementor opens up this journey and it does not disappoint. For the first song on the CD I can definitely say it is a great opener. The man is calling upon everyone to enjoy his music because he will not be happy if the listeners arent happy as well. I am sure this song is already a party anthem and for the Zimbabwean music scene can easily become a hit song. One Family is an interesting track about togetherness and has a catchy bass with pentatonic rhythms that are popular among African music. I think this song needed a bit more vocal control on some parts to convey the emotion intended by Flavour P. Another alternative could have been to get a singer to help out to give the song that finesse it needed. It is still an inspirational piece that calls for all of us to love each other. Great message indeed.

The title track Original Zimbo is on the massively popular riddim by Jusa, Konzeresa Riddim. On this track Flavour P flexes his flow with an energetic delivery. He praises all Zimbabweans and names some of the most prominent Zimbabweans as a way of showing us all that we have successful people among ourselves. It is a good song about Zimbabwean pride and worth a listen. I also enjoyed the song Amai dedicated to the love of mothers. It is on one of the riddims by Jusa and sounds like a Jamaican production. I think of the whole album this song was the most well done from the lyrics to the production and kudos to the 2 guys for their work on this song. Would make any mother proud! Unondivhiringa is another song on this album that has a great chorus sung by one Dubblin who does a phenominal job. This is Urban grooves at its very best. For the sake of positive criticism, hoping Flavour P will get a chance to read this, you can tell his verses on this song are different from some of his songs done more recently. He has improved a lot and the verses do not do justice to the work done by Dubblin. It also sounds like the song was recorded in different places and the vocals mixed by different people because for some reason Dubblin's parts sound more 'plush' than those done by Flavour P. I really wish they can redo this song because it is a great love song and Flavour P can do much better. Another song which is a great Urban Grooves love song is Mwana Uripo. I particularly enjoyed his witty lyrics on the song Uri Razor like 'Teki teki saMahobho nehusiku, teki teki kunge bhurugwa nebhandi ... iwe uri cream ndofunga unotapira kupfuura Sun Jam, ... this is not a dream, what is your name?' If he really sits down and takes time i have no doubt he would have a hit song called Teki Teki right now. On the witty side comes Une Power which has funny lyrics.

Original Zimbo has some enjoyable tracks and Urban Grooves fans will find something they like. I think first port of call for Flavour P is to work on quality before quantity. 20 tracks is fair and fine but i would prefer 10 exceptional tracks given the preference. This is so because you can tell that there is quite a time line between the songs and quality differs throughout from vocals to the instruments. Considering that now he has moved to the States it would be great to hear if he can employ the services of a professional recording studio and sound engineer to improve on his quality because i think he has what it takes but needs to take time on his projects to give listeners the best he can. I also noticed that the man did not sound comfortable on dancehall riddims as he does on more Urban Grooves inclined instrumentals so he might want to stick to pure Urban Grooves next time. I did not like Ndinokuda because it sounded like he just took the beat from P-Squares song Temptation and added a kick and changed the tempo a little. Not a good look bro! Seriously! All in all this album is quite ok and when Flavour is up to it he does a good job. This one would be suited to fans of artists like Nasty Trixx, Stunner and Maskiri.

Get the album here: http://www.zimvibes.com/index.php?ind=reviews&op=entry_view&iden=478

Cover Art - 5/10 (Good pic but big let down on the font)
Music - 6/10 (Many highs as well as lows)
Mixing and Mastering - 3/10
'I Like Factor' - 5/10

Snaka Dread - Musikana Wandinoda Video

Zimbabwean dancehall sensation Snaka Dread announces his entry onto the music scene with the video for the smash hit Musikana Wandinoda from his debut album Black Warrior. The hit single is on the Snake Bite Riddim produced by Mutare's own Alfire. Great song, great video!

Various Artists - Walala Rewire (2009)

******Review coming soon!!!******

Kudakwashe (DKR) - Mambo/Fallen King *new music video*

Kudakwashe Musasiwa of DKR recently released a video of his song Mambo/Fallen King off the Kudakwashe half of the last DKR release. As decribed by blaztv,

"An interesting hiphop allegory fused with Zimbabwean Mbira Dzevadzimu (Instruments of the Ancestors)about the Fallen King David... which as the story goes on, blurs into similar sounding themes that are affecting our current crop of "Kings" in the Motherland. The play of words and characters (like Bathsheba, the coveted wife of another man) symbolising our "Kings" fascination with all things regal and foreign including money, religion & processions. A great piece of music and poetry!"

Mambo/Fallen King (Kudakwashe 2007)