ExQue - For The Grown & Sexy (2008)

ExQue is back in 2008 with his third full length album entitled 'For The Grown & Sexy' after the okayish 'Love Is My Religion'. Ngapawanewo munhu anomubatsira pamaTitle emaAlbum ake nhai (lol just jokes).

This album is a much anticipated offering considering that ExQue is one of the most successful Urban Groovers from the genres early days. I was looking forward to hearing what ExQue has to say this time around and err... ummmm... nothing has really changed. He uses the same production team from his last album of mainly Russo and MacDee. This one opens up with Mupewo Rudo, the hit song featuring Leonard Mapfumo & MacDee. The song is about a love so good that it eclipses the union of Gospel stars Baba naMai Charamba, Oliver naDaisy Mtukudzi or anyone else who thinks their love is potentially stronger. It is already a hit song featuring on the PowerFM charts this year and currently in the Top 10. The lyrics left my jaws on the floor with lyrics like 'zvinonakidza kuSatisfaya mukadzi, uchimuita yese uchimuspaka mukadzi, uchimukissa kissa uchimuFeeda nerudo... mudzimai ari sensitive, mudzimai ane maPressure points'. Murudo is one of my favourite songs on this offering which also made it to the charts early on in the year. This one features Zimbabwean songstress Tererai Mugwadi and the melody is just beautiful. Thumbs up to this tune! Handidi Newe features musical comedians Xtra Large. It is great to hear Xtra Large still making me laugh after all these years.

ExQue mostly maintains the same sleepish rap that made him popular over the years with the love songs that sometimes leave you wishing you were in a relationship. On Zvaunondiita, it is ExQue like you have never heard before and sounds like a pop song. He makes an attempt at singing (don't be fooled it's nothing to write home about) and surprisingly i was able to stomach the song though it is nowhere near my preference. Besides that it is the first single from this album and made it to the Top 100 of 2008. I could not help but wonder if ExQue is still trying to win his lost love from the last album, his songs are more about trying to win back a girl who has been wronged than anything else. Ndaramba is a track that makes me believe what i just mentioned and the instrumental reminds me of his smash single Mazirudo. I think this one is a potential hit talking about kuramba kurambwa (refusing to be dumped). Whoever this girl is apengesa ExQue shamwari wakaoma, blaz vanokuda ivava! Other songs on the album feature artists like Stunner, Taurai Mandebvu, and Junior Brown.

It is no lie that ExQue is a favourite of many and this album will do him more favours. Technically, it sounded like a rush job and it lost a lot of marks because of that. I really expected a better job especially from a producer of MacDee's calibre. For The Grown & Sexy is really more of an album for the not so grown and those who like Urban Grooves without much lyrical depth. The same formula has won him many a fan and he sticks to what he knows best: rapping about love. I have since accepted that he will never change that. It is a decent offering and to ExQue fans of old chances are you will love this one.

Music - 6/10

Technical Sound - 5/10

'I Like' Factor - 7/10

Sam Mtukudzi - Rume Rimwe (2007)

Sam Mtukudzi's career started off with him touring with his father, the great Oliver Mtukudzi a few years back. That was indeed the beginning of a new dawn for an artist who is set to break through as one of the most promising musicians in Zimbabwe right now. Under the guidance and nurturing of his superstar father, Sam is indeed ready to be his own man. Rume Rimwe (released in December 2007) took the young man a good 2 years to put together and it's well worth the time.

This is Sam Mtukudzi's debut album which holds the song Chii Chanetsa that has become a very popular hit making the charts on PowerFM in 2008. On this track he engages in social commentary concerning domestic violence as seen by the children affected. It is a very in-depth view at the ills of a marriage gone wrong where all the possibilities point at a divorce but the children do not want to entertain the thought. Evidently, everyone is unhappy and all they can do is watch as it happens. This is a song that can evoke emotion within you because of the very reality it besets upon. Amai focuses on a mothers love and Sam is seemingly thanking his mother for her presence in his life (maybe because his dad was on the road half the time? lol). It is a beautiful song about appreciation and should serve to teach us all to appreciate not only parents but everyone who plays a significant role in our lives.

The musical style on this album can be described as jazz with a mixture of Tuku music to spice it up. Tibatane is my favourite song on this album (listen to the XBC podcasts and you will find evidence of that!). It is a jazzy love song where the emphasis is on becoming one. Sam praises his partner calling her 'chisikwa chaMwari' (God's beautiful creation). This is as good as a love song gets and it took me back to the love of old. The instrumentation was simply phenominal and the backing vocalists set a bar that you do not hear too often these days, not only on this song but throughout the album. It reminds me that young musicians can also make such great music (but then again this is Oliver Mtukudzi's son i didn't expect any less!). Songs like Why Can't We, Ngwara and Mazuva Mangani (which is somewhat the title track relating to the Shona proverb 'Rume rimwe harikombi churu') are littered with advice on life. Besides the good music, there are strong messages contained within these songs that are reminiscent of olden day folklore.

It is without a single doubt that Sam Mtukudzi's music is miles ahead of his age and don't let his youth deceive you, this is a brilliant album. His lyrical prowess herein lies within a poetic approach and there is an undeniable connection with Oliver's influence here. There is such wisdom in his words you will not believe he is only 20 years old. It is no surprise that his music appeals across many generations and i hear Sam is a brilliant live performer as well. Every song is very well done and you can listen from start to finish without even considering skipping a track. This is highly recommended for everyone out there especially those who like Africa Revenge, Dudu Manhenga, Oliver Mtukudzi, Simphiwe Dana, Thandiswa Mazwai and Chiwoniso to name a few.

Get the album here: http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&cPath=1_49&products_id=3985

Cover Art - 6/10

Music - 7.5/10

Technical Sound - 8/10

'I Like Factor' - 7/10

Chiwoniso - Rebel Woman (2008)

I have been a fan of contemporary Zimbabwean music for a few years now and have grown to appreciate it as the years have passed by. Chiwoniso has been a household name for as long as i can remember with an outstanding career from the days as part of A Peace of Ebony together with Metaphysics and Tony Chihota. Rebel Woman is her third solo project after Ancient Voices (2001) & Timeless (2004) where Chiwoniso teams up with prominent producer Keith Farquhuarson yet again.

Chiwoniso comfortably switches between Shona and English throughout her inspiring album. The title track is an international success after helping Chiwoniso to claim second spot in the International Song Writing Competition (World Music Category) in 2006. Rebel Woman delves into the world of a woman and her strengths that help to overcome the obstacles of life. The rebel woman is a fighter and stands against all odds to overcome. It is one of the most well written songs by Chiwoniso and her singing enhances the beauty of it. Vanorapa defines the Chiwoniso sound many have grown to love. The song is about the ancestral powers that we might not know about but play a huge part in our well-being as the healers of society ills. It is a deep thought of how history defined the future to be part of it. Matsotsi touches on greed and cultural decay as money has taken over the necessities of life. It boarders between the differences of the sociatal hierarchy and the envy associated with financial acquisitions. Matsotsi is a Shona word meaning 'criminals'. As a Zimbabwean, this song made me ponder on the state of our nation and realise how affected the average man is on a day to day basis. This one explores the depths of Chiwoniso's passion as a musician singing about issues that affect so many people worldwide.

The album also offers uplifting songs like Wakashinga, the jazzy Listen To The Breeze, an emotional track about rising from a slump, and the vibrant Nguva Yekufara which is about having happiness in life. Chiwoniso sings about how the time for happiness is more vital and important to the soul than times of sadness as well as telling us how God facilitates our happiness in His being. This one is one of the best songs on the album. Kurima is the first track i heard off this album a couple of years back. I particularly enjoy the fusion of mbira and the piano, the song has me snapping my fingers more often than i realise! The emphasis of the track is on the ability we have to fend for ourselves through various means and encourages the people to work hard to see out each day successfully.

The beauty of Chiwoniso's music is in being able to capture an audience stretching from young to old and even moreso going beyond cultural barriers. I believe she has what it takes to continue entertaining thousands for many more years to come. Rebel Woman is possibly Chiwoniso's best offering yet (without taking anything away from her previous albums which were very well done). For Chiwoniso fans, there is no disappointment here! This one is a must buy for anyone interested in mbira music and those who want something new. Impressive to say the least.

Get the album here: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7727674

Cover Art - 8/10
Music - 9/10
Technical Sound - 9/10
'I Like' Factor - 8/10

Madiz - Rhumba Plus (2007)

Madiz rose to prominence through his work on other people's songs other than his own in the initial stages of his career which started around 2003. For those who do not know, Madiz is the man behind the popular hooks by fellow Gweru artist Nasty Trixx from his debut album Kupinda Newe. He has also featured on Maskiri's track Ngaakoreswe as well as Diana Samkange's Chingave Chii from the compilation Bhodho Size one. Before releasing his smash hit single Amina featuring Abisha Makombe in 2006, Madiz was part of the Baseline Records collective, Souls of Africa who had the popular song Madam Chamunoda.

Rhumba Plus is the exciting debut album by Madiz produced by legendary Gweru producer, Tony G. It has undoubtedly put Madiz on the elite list of some of Zimbabwe's best Urban Groovers. The album opens up with the exciting Kazevezeve featuring Abisha Makombe which adopts a kizomba zouk type beat but with a lovely Zimbabwean twist and it changes mid way not once but twice. Basically it is 3 different beats for one song! The track is about kazevezeve kemwoyo waMadiz (the whisper of his heart). This is one of the 3 songs from this album that made it into the Top 100 of 2008 charts on Power FM.The only part i did not like about this song was the fact that towards the end when it switches to the rhumba beat he uses the lyrics he used on Ndanakirwa and Amina. I would have loved to hear something a bit different, maybe more creative. I still sing along to the song every time i play it but amana tipewiwo maSerious!

Vhenenziya is a dance tune that deserves a chance on the airwaves because i am very sure it will cause headaches wherever it is played. What i like about the production by Tony G is that he makes his music very unique and does not try to do what other people do. This particular track is about finding the love of your life in bed with someone other than yourself. Considering the content, the song is rather enjoyable! That afrohouse feel definitely has me dancing away in no time. Throughout the album Madiz experiements with different tempos which makes him use his voice in unpredictable ways. It is without doubt that he is blessed with a very good voice. He shows this on the song Ndafarira which is a good love song. Ndanakirwa is possibly the most popular song from this album which is a rhumba piece that has been responsible for many sweaty bodies on dancefloors around the country and abroad. It is the kind of song that makes you realise that Urban Grooves has evolved from the typical computer generated music that was resented at first, into a much more exciting genre.

All in all this album is a great listen. Concerning the lows i mentioned before, Ndanakirwa also has a remix version which was ok though i would have preferred a completely new song altogether. Rhumba Plus also contains the other hit song Murume Wangu as well as the ever so popular Amina. I think for a debut album Madiz has done a good job and one can only wait until the next album to hear what else he has to offer. Go and get a copy of this one especially if you like Urban Grooves, Afro House, Zouk or Rhumba because it is all slotted in there.

Cover Art - 6/10
Music - 8/10
Mixing & Mastering - 7/10
'I Like Factor' - 6.5/10

Kazevezeve