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

Pastor G - Inspiration (2008)

Pastor G is no stranger to the music industry in Zimbabwe having worked with numerous artists and made a great success of his singing talent. For those who might have forgotten he burst on the scene as part of Delani Makhalima's Shamiso Studios a solid 9 or so years ago with songs like Count Your Blessings, Hande & Walk Alone to name a few.

Inspiration is the latest offering from Pastor G and it is a 14 track sizzler! He has always made somewhat danceable gospel music more inclined to the younger souls. I can describe his music as a mixture of RnB and Afro-Pop where the pastor does enough justice vocally. The title track, Inspiration, is one smooth jam. The instrumentation on the song sounds like a soft rock/pop ballad and it is so well executed i could not help but notice. The lyrics are uplifting and focus on how we find our inspiration from the Lord especially when times are hard and we feel like there is no way out. I have to say the backing vocalists on this song did a superb job equally matching the pastor himself in making the song a gem. Haya Haya has been doing awesomely well on the PowerFM charts and from the moment i heard it i knew why. It is a praise song (rwiyo rwekutenda) where Pastor G proclaims authority and dominion through Jesus Christ. I can see enough people getting down to this one mudzimba and kumaChurch uko. It is a wonderful song that has a feel good 'thing' about it. I listened to it with a smile on my face!

There are some songs which from the moment you hear the intro your expectations are raised. Mubairo does just that! When the beat sets in and you listen to the chorus you get that 'wow' feeling. The beat is simple with an amazingly catchy melody and Sharon Manyika sings this so beautifully. Vakomana Sharon anoimba zvinodadisa! I know Haya Haya is already a hit but people are sleeping on Mubairo! Of the album this is definitely my pick, the best of the lot hands down! (lol). Its another inspirational one and the duo sing about kushinga (being strong, perseverance) encouraging us all never to get tired because God is faithful. Not much i can say except that this song is great. Mandipa is another one that touched me given its very well done vocals. Pastor G has really upped a notch or 2 on this offering. While listening to this album i realised that it really focused on establishing God as the centre of people's lives to give them hope. Considering all the things Zimbabwe has gone through i really connected with this album on that note.

I cannot take anything away from Pastor G on this one, the music was beautiful so was the singing. The collabos added so much versatility to this album, were very well done and you could feel the chemistry between the artists. Other songs to watch out for on this album are Jesu, Ndamirira featuring prince Mafukidze and Turura featuring Gorden Taurai Nzira. Pastor G fans of old will love this and i recommend it to anyone who wants to listen to Zimbabwean music with a difference!

Music - 7/10
Technical Sound - 7/10
'I Like Factor' - 7/10

Seiko(2006) - Gorden Taurai Nzira

The first time i heard of this man was on the compilation by Delani and Sanii Makhalima, Urban Grooves Volume 2 which was a decent offering with relatively unknown artits in Zimbabwe. After looking for his music for over a year i finally got my hands on his debut album, Seiko which was nominated for Best Urban Grooves Album and Best Newcomer in 2006. I know it sounds misleading but Taurai Gorden Nzira is actually a gospel artist and has only one song, Ndazvipira, that talks about love and relationships (hmmm Prince Mafukidze has a love song too!). Sometimes it makes me wonder if the people at ZIMA are serious.

Produced by Sanii Makhalima and 8 tracks deep this album comes with a lot of expectation. The first track, Esethusela, is a danceable piece with the Ndebele lyrics that urge people to take up faith and believe in God despite any influences that may be set upon them by the devil. It is upbeat and very entertaining with a somewhat 'typical' gospel sound popularised in South Africa by the likes of Rebecca Malope, Lundi and so forth. The same can be said for Tarirai and most other tracks on the album. Tarirai was the first single to grace the airwaves back in 2005 as part of the compilation Urban Grooves Volume 2. It is an old church hymn revamped and has since done so well among gospel lovers. It provides a good listen on a Sunday after church.

The hit track on the album Chireurura put him on the map and was a regular on the charts peaking in the PowerFM Top 10. It is a slow song and he spreads more gospel telling people to ask for forgiveness because God's love exceeds any wrong we do. The song can surely get you in a whole different zone altogether and it got me wondering about how i have lived my life up until now. It is a beautiful song to say the least. Every song is laced with an outstanding clarity of both vocals and instruments which is a testimony to Sanii's production prowess. The album also features cameo appeareances by Otis Ngwabi and producer Sanii Makhalima

Taurai is very talented with the voice to go with. The great thing about the album is that every track is more than listenable and are all of very high quality. The downside for me is having only 8 tracks, 2 of which are remixes that aren't much different from the original songs. I felt a bit short changed in the end. Besides that, i feel he has far much more to give the fans and could do more to diversify the message to give it to us in a more interesting way. Gospel lovers will love this regardless, it's good music with a good message!

Cover Art - 5/10 (Didn't like it much)
Music - 8/10
Mixing and Mastering - 7/10 (well done)
I Like Factor -6/10