Xtra Large - Xtraordinary (2010)

I mentioned in previous reviews that 2010 is 'one of those great years' and without a doubt, with most albums coming to my attention serving as testimony to that. 'Maroja' continue on their path of Xtra hard work with another release. Dare i say we were not even over One Drop yet and they come back with 'Xtraordinary' to increase their tally to 6.

Super producer MacDee does his magic throughout this brand new offering. Muti Wemusango has done the rounds on PowerFM and it made it's debut on the podcasts with a bang. The song is pure genius. It borders on Afro-pop with some infectious ethnic sounds and a well sung hook by MacDee. Did i mention the song concept? Well they say muti wemusango haungautore kuita muchero wepamba which literally means you can not take a wild fruit and make it cultivated fruit at home. Expanded: You can never domesticate a wild animal. Further expanded: If you marry a woman of loose morals, do not expect her to uphold marital values over her own urges. They take a comic side to a real issue and give great advice to single guys out there, be careful who you walk down that isle with. They continue to give advice on Zvarova which again is the work of masterminds with MacDee blessing the track with vocal magic on the hook. On this one Jimmy and Normara are ghosts who are complaining about how they were taken for granted when they were alive but now their family and friends want to constantly bring flowers to the grave as if they cared to begin with. It's a well worked take on how we should appreciate our parents for who they are to us. I enjoy the social commentary even though the issue at hand is quite serious and worth a moment of consideration.

The hit single High Rate makes an appearance on Xtraordinary and it touches on people who have made a fortune from forex deals on the street. There was a time when police back home were hunting down vanaChange Money (forex dealers) who were dealing in 'high rates'. I love the melody to the song, you could well dance your feet off! One of the hottest cuts off this album is Ndoshamisika featuring Nembo Bwoy, Sizara and musala wemuZimbabwe uyu ExQue. This one is a banger of all sorts on a love tip. The line up is massive and the beat is thumping. I was rolling on the floor with laughter after the Mbiradzakondo Season II skit which is a continuation of the one from the Still At Large album. These guys are creative i tell you!

Xtraordinary is Maroja at their finest and even though we might think we know what to expect, they still manage to reinvent themselves year in year out. They thrive on killer collabos and their ability to turn any situation into a light-hearted affair. I will mention this (not sure if i have already done so concerning Xtra Large), an album every year is great to keep the skills sharp but they are not giving us time to let their material grow on us. We are OD'ing infact. Zimbos generally take time to follow up on songs/albums and with us in the diaspora almost always picking the fruit from the ground you wonder why they don't take more time to push their albums so that they reach a wider audience. I would like to see the Muti Wemusangos and Zvarovas become household hits like the classic Uri Roja, that people of all ages can sing along to. We were hardly over songs like Tsano and Kukura Hakutane. Other tracks to watch out for are Kuzokutora and Madzibaba featuring Sniper. All in all, thumbs up Maroja, this is brilliant work. Easily one of the best albums this year.

Cover Art - 6/10
Music - 8/10
Technical Sound - 7.5/10
'I Like' Factor - 8.5/10

Danayi Murapa - Munerudo (2010)

The Zimbabwean gospel music scene is awash with talent and i have always stated that fact time and again. Last year i was tuned in to one of the Zim internet radio stations and heard a song that simply blew me away. It prompted me to look for it and just my luck because i found it and at the same time discovered a brilliant artist at that. The name 'Danayi Murapa' may not ring a bell to most of you but let that not deter you from taking a listen to what she has to offer.

The intro is beautiful with lovely instrumentation as well as the singing. It is an invitation for everyone to call on to the Lord through all situations. I wish it was a longer into though, being only a minute. Ndichengetei is a mellow gospel groove with that distinct gospel sound we have come to expect over the years. The formula simply works and it will sit well with many a gospel fan or music fan in general. She asks for God's guidance in this journey of life as there are many hurdles along the way. Munerudo, the title track is stuff legends are made of. This is the song that prompted me to try and find out who Danayi Murapa is. Sabastian Magacha makes an appearance on this beautiful piece and the 2 artists complement each other with such conviction. Mukoma Saba vanomira mira hama dzangu! To tell you the truth i have no idea why this song has not yet made the charts in Zimbabwe because it is excellent. I like how it is listenable across all ages at the same time carrying a relevant message. This is as good as gospel music gets! I noted that the final album version is slightly different from the initial version that circulated a few months back. It still sounds great regardless.

Another lovely cut from this album is Zorora featuring Tembalami. This is pure 'feel good' gospel music and i found myself singing along and dancing. Munerudo is still my favourite but Zorora is a close second. The artists sing of God's goodness and his deliverance from those tiresome tribulations. Well done to Tembalami, i would like to hear what his music sounds like. This one is joining Munerudo on my iPod, no questions asked. Upon giving this album a listen one thing stood out, the uniform quality from start to finish. Kudos to you Danayi, this is top notch stuff. It was great to listen and connect with the effort put into this album. The other 2 songs, Ndapererwa featuring the very beautiful Petronella Gobvu and Zarura are quite good. Danayi's voice is unique and she uses it well, she knows her vocal abilities which is essential for success as an artist.

The only downside to this album for me was the fact that of the 7 tracks, one is a minute long intro and another an instrumental which leaves it down to 5 songs. I am not a fan of albums that are either too short or too long. Next time i would love to hear 8-12 tracks, i really think that is something artists need to consider for their fans and in Danayi's case she has already proved she can be versatile so why not give us more? All in all this album is brilliant, a must hear especially for those inclined to gospel music. Recommended if you are into artists like Sabastian Magacha, Taurai Gorden Nzira and Bethan Pasinawako. Please do not hesitate to get a copy!


You can buy the album here:
http://indiekazoo.com/vangodzatunes/778

Cover Art - 7/10 (beautiful)
Music - 7/10
Technical Sound - 7.5/10
'I Like' Factor - 8/10 (really love her work)

Stunner - Team Hombe (2009)

I've witnessed Stunner rise steadily from the days of Rudo Rwemari, experimenting as a dancehall artist and blossoming into one of Zimbabwe's most respected urban rappers. His 6 year career has seen him release the albums Hameno, KaLife and the latest one, Team Hombe. I finally managed to get my hands on the CD copy of the album that is available in stores which is quite different from the initial one which was to be titled Tambai Ngoma.

The album title was changed from Tambai Ngoma after the huge success of the single Team Hombe which graced the Power FM charts since mid - 2009. The song is about Stunner's rise in the music industry, from the days when people gave him no chance at all. It boasts of an American influenced southern beat with some clever imagery from Stunner. I can tell that he is enjoying his success to the fullest. The album opens up with an intro then Handimbokusiye produced by MacDee. This track is a great opener for the album and i reckon it has the potential to become an anthem this year. It has that distinct Urban Grooves feel and is rather danceable. Paushamwari Hwedu has a clever concept where the chorus is an old nursery school rhyme. ExQue features on this one, i've heard better verses from him. Shamwari neshamwari adopts a kizomba rhythm and surprisingly features Diana Samkange. Since the release of Hameno, it was rumoured that Diana and Stunner did not see eye to eye. Seems like they have patched up now and on this song they sing about just being friends even though people believe they are lovers.

Madziya Sister reminds me of a 50 Cent song and as i write this i am looking for the song in my library even though i have my doubts that i have it (before i even got to searching i remembered the song, I Get Money). I do like the Stunner song, it's DRIPPING of swagger with some nice energy to his flow. The freestyle by Jnr Brown will have you laughing and is enjoyable, the man anenharo paFlow hama dzangu. Kana Usipo really tickled my fancy. It borrows the melody in the chorus from somewhere but i just cannot seem to put my finger on it. Anyhoo... Cash features a heavy line up with B.G, Yoz, Johnny K and Jnr Brown (they are the ones i could figure out given the album back cover does not include features). It's one for the Hip Hop heads out there and for me this is the direction Zim Hip Hop should take. The whole line up does a great job on this song. I am against what has characterised Zim Hip Hop of late where only 'English spitting' Emcees are recognised as 'hip hop'. Takoresa is a remix to Live Your Life by T.I and i'm not so sure that it should have been part of this album. I enjoy the lyrics and surely Stunner made the most of it but more of his original work would have been more appreciated here. Rihanna's chopped up vocals are cool and stuff but for an official release? I don't think so Mr Stunner!

One thing i do not understand is why Ex Girlfriend, Dai and Tambai Ngoma are missing from this CD. These were possibly the best songs on the previous copy and they really elevated Stunner into a different class. I really need to understand his reasoning behind the ommission. There are a couple of songs that the album can do without as well. I get the feeling that on this album he was trying to mould his image towards 'Zimbabwean Rap' incline. He gets the tick from me. All in all, Stunner maintains his tried and tested formula of catchy lyrics and banging beats. It works and Team Hombe will rate as one of the hottest albums getting into 2010. Stunner fans of old will definitely like this one and it comes recommended for a taste of some of Urban Grooves best music.

Get the album here: http://tazzoitacashrecords.podbean.com/

Cover Art - 7/10 (great work and resurrection from the KaLife cover)
Music - 7/10
Technical Sound - 6.5/10
'I Like' Factor - 7/10

Xtra Large - One Drop (2008)

Maroja adzoka futi! These guys simply DO NOT give up. Last time i said i thought these guys would be done and dusted by now. A little over a year later and guess what? They have a brand new offering for the fans. I think i will not be far off if i say this duo is probably the most hardworking outfit on the urban scene (for a while now) and i still do not know how they manage to release just about an album every year but kudos to them for making it happen. One Drop is the fifth album from Xtra Large after Zvakora, Walembe, Small House and Still At Large.

This time around they add a little extra flavour to the production prowess of MacDee by slotting in Russo and as usual the album is packed with collaborations from seasoned artists like Stunner, Diana and Trevor Dongo as well as unknowns like Samantha and Fadzie. The first single from the album, MaOrange, did quite well on the airwaves late last year. The chorus is a true sing along adopting lyrics from creche like "Aya maOrange, aya maFatcook, Ichi chigaba chehuchi". Landlord is one of the tracks that has managed to do well on the charts in 2009. The backtrack adopts a 'snap music'/'crunk' style popularised by Lil Jon some years ago. Unfortunately, this song did not quite tickle my fancy though i do accept that it is probably the sound most youth are identifying with now (I just like my good old urban grooves!) Besides that, the guys are still quite funny with their hilarious lyrics and social commentary.

The titles of the songs just make you want to listen to the whole album especially if you know what Xtra Large are capable of doing. Doctor is one such song which features Taurai Mandebvu. The group proclaims that they are the doctors of love and if women have any problems they can go to them. Funny stuff! I enjoyed the kizomba style on the song which fits perfectly. Kukura Hakutani is definitely one of the best cuts off this piece and it features Boyz Dzangu and Trevor Dongo. One of the rappers from Boyz Dzangu sounds so much like Maskiri its shocking! The song is about a girl you grow up seeing and she matures into this very beautiful woman and all you want to do is make her yours. I enjoy the concepts these guys bring, they definitely haven't run out of ideas. Tsano is my favourite song on the whole album and it focuses on a brother-in-law who is greedy when it comes to food and will eat just about anything for the sake of eating. I couldn't stop laughing! Postman is another funny song though it tackles an issue about adultery which is quite serious in our society especially with AIDS and other diseases around.

Generally this album is quite good and it is mostly vintage Xtra Large as we have grown to appreciate. I think Xtra Large fans of old will have no problem accepting this album. I do think it is not quite as good as their last 2 albums but still well worth having nonetheless. Other songs to watch out for are Baller featuring Stunner and Siyai Vana featuring Trevor Dongo. Highly recommended for your library!

Cover Art - 8/10
Music - 7/10
Technical Sound - 6/10
'I Like Factor' - 6/10

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