Nasty Trixx - Vapamhe (2008)

Trust Dojiwe better known in the music circles as Nasty Trixx is back with a new album and Maskiri's so called sound alike has his chance to prove that he has what it takes to stay on top. I am sure many of you out there remember the smash hit 'ChiDanger (Chimoko)' from his 2004 debut Kupinda Newe. I can confirm every song on that album was a certified hit and it put this young man on the map.

A song from the new offering that made rave reviews in 2006 is DDF (which was also on the Bhodho Size One compilation by Tony G). The song is produced by Tony G and is a comical piece about a girl who wished for Nasty Trixx to become her lover. Apparently in the song, Nasty Trixx overhears the girl at church praying for divine intervention in her quest for love. On the other hand, Nasty confirms that the young lady is so beautiful he is already in love with her after having met her on the bus the previous day. The concept just makes me laugh! Great stuff! It is also the only Tony G production there as the two parted ways over unspecified differences. This new album also contains the hit song Kukakika which made an impressive position on the 2008 Power FM charts. The title is a descriptive word about how beautiful a woman is and the song is a testimony of how clever Nasty Trixx can be. When it comes to women, it seems like that is his area of choice lyrically.

Unfortunately the 2 songs mentioned above are as good as this album gets and the other tracks are a complete waste of time. I hate to say it like that but if you compare Nasty Trixx on his tracks produced by Tony G and the ones by the producer he is working with now, you can tell that there is no contest. The music is horrible and amateurish to say the least. I reckon my 15 year old brother can do better on productions. My colleague upon hearing this album asked me, "Is this a demo album by Nasty Trixx from 10 years ago?" That is simply how bad it is. I would have written about the tracks in detail as i usually do but this time i do not see the point. The only other song i could mention is Ndopisa Musoro in which he blasts former friends Tony G and Madiz who had a major part in his first album. He claims Tony G shortchanged him from his album royalties and when he left Baseline Studios, Tony G was stranded and other artists left. The same producer he is dissing so happens to have, by far, the best track on this album. On the same page, comparing with Kupinda Newe, this new album has not as much as a good chorus which Madiz was mostly responsible for first time around. Sadly, truth be told, Tony G and Madiz are having the last laugh on this one enjoying enough success in the past 2 years.

Enough said, this ranks as one of the most disappointing sophomore albums i have heard in a long time. By this showing, i think Nasty Trixx will be a nobody in the industry within the next 2 years unless he rejoins Tony G's camp or finds a producer who is just as good or better. Kukakika just so happens to be the single that is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dwindling career. Nasty you can do much better!

Music - 2/10
Technical Sound - 1/10
'I Like Factor' - 2/10

Abisha Makombe - Bhomba (2008)

I know the name Abisha Makombe might not immediately ring a bell especially for a lot of people in the diaspora who left Zimbabwe a while ago. That being said be assured that the face of Urban Grooves (though he calls his music Chonde music) is changing. It's great to see new names coming up. Abisha is no stranger to success as he was part of the group Romeo which gave you the big hit, Consider My Feelings. A few years down the line and this man is now a solo artist enjoying being at the top of the music industry.

Bhomba is the debut album by Abisha Makombe which was produced by producer of the moment Anthony Mukanga a.k.a Tony G. This album is 8 tracks deep and boasts of the massively popular Ndire Ndire. From my conversations with Tony G he told me that the song was recorded last for the album and none of them expected it to be a hit. The song recently became popular in the diaspora after spending much of 2008 being the party song of choice with an infectious house sound that can lift you from a bad mood. Ndire Ndire refers to a magic brew which can get you to dizzy heights. In the song Abisha describes how he feels so invincible that he will be fishing for mermaids (kuredza njuzu) and that this is a party to remember that has him on unmatched highs. My pick for song of the year for 2008 and in the diaspora for 2009. Check out the video at the bottom of this post!

Hondo Yemoyo is the second single from the album and its another very good song. This one is about that first love and the pains of being with someone you do not love while spending your time thinking about someone else. It tackles the harsh reality of loveless marriages that seem to occur more often than necessary. The song starts off with a mellow beat which is sad in its own right and really made me think about what he was singing about. Halfway through the song it becomes an up tempo rhumba track. I really would have preferred this one to stay on the sad, mellow beat but its still a good song regardless. Mumwe Wangu is similar to Hondo Yemoyo in focusing on abused love. One partner is lost on the others actions because they seem to only be in love when there is money. Abisha is telling us how a lot of people started with nothing en route to becoming successful and that love should be able to endure poverty. This is definitely one of the best tracks on the album.

I really like Abisha Makombe's originality. His music is different, his voice is different, his singing is different. Throughout the whole album he shows maturity lyrically and offers a different view point from most artists of the Urban Grooves generation. I don't know if he will ever be able to eclipse the success of Ndire Ndire which i believe is set to become a continental and international hit with the right marketing strategies. If you love Rhumba, Zouk, House and Urban Grooves you could find yourself falling in love with this album. Highly recommended!

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

Various Artists - Bhodho Size 3 (2008)

Tony G has been around for a good 6 years in the music industry having started out in 2003 producing the hit single Bata Musoro featuring his alter ego DJ Tula. Over the years the man has produced and released 4 compilation albums starting with Picatto Era (2004) which had the smash hit ChiDanger by Nasty Trixx. 2008 has been a year of wonders for Baseline artists with 11 songs in the Top 100 on the PowerFM charts.

Bhodho Size 3, as the title suggests, is the third instalment of the Bhodho compilations. This one opens up with the Souls of Africa collective who had the immensely popular album Zvepabhodho 4 years ago containing the well known song Madam Chamunoda. Their song on this compilation, Lolita, tackles the issue of being taken for a ride concerning matters of love. In this case the girls name is Lolita and she left some bloke feeling worthless. This song is just brilliant and my favourite part is when the beat changes from a kizomba sound and the tempo is increased into a sizzling rhumba that had me rewinding the song over and over again. The most promising group (in my humble opinion) in Zimbabwe right now, Unique, is also featured with the song Mubhedha. I first heard this song last year and it simply got better once i got my hands on a full length copy. It reminds me of Dino's hit Jatropha as it is also about a woman feeling secluded in a marriage being denied the full (sexual) benefits she thought she would have. Given the prevalence of this topic in recent songs maybe its about time Zim guys start worrying in case the women get fed up for good (lol). The track adopts a near traditional contemporary and Urban Grooves fusion like that of Ndichakuudza Sei by MaFriq. Paunondinyerekedza by seasoned vet Gudchild (of the Fadzai and She Loves Me fame) is a big hit in Zimbabwe 27th spot on the end of year countdown. It typifies the rhumba sound that has made Tony G the star producer he is today.

One of the best Ndebele rappers, Akili, marks his territory in the industry with a heart stopping effort on Tsotsi. This is the kind of feel good song for the ladies expressed by lyricism at its highest pedigree. The beat is more kwaito than anything and the execution of the song is good with the man throwing in all sorts of witty rhymes like 'Wonke cherry size Kilimanjaro zwakala amaBig sisters with hipsters...' The brother and sister duo from Victoria Falls, PO'Zee & Skhu live up to their reputation on the massive Eta Hola which is a party track that cannot be overlooked. I can see Bulawayo getting down to this one. I was impressed by the track Shingirira done by Brian Ngwenya (especially since i have never heard of him before its god to know that new artists are making good music). He sings about a girl who drives him crazy called Chipo who he intends to ask out and state love for until she accepts him. The style here is a mixture of Urban Grooves, reggae and contemporary music with some neatly done vocals. Pamza's Hayi My Lovie was another refreshing listen and it is great to hear more ladies coming up in the industry. She has a strong voice that she uses very well on the particular kwaito sounding track (no guess that its a love song given the title).

Other tracks that will be set to do well are Gud Simbi by dancehall star Cojack, the house feel on Wherever U Go by Tess(this one reminds me of Where I wanna Be by Mina Nawe and Destiny by Malaika) and the smooth Without U by ex Romeo front man Yoko T. This compilation proves the versatility of the artists at Baseline Records (and the producer too) with genres ranging from Urban Contemporary to Kwaito. It is evident that this team is 4 compilation albums into the business, they do it well. This is definitely not your typical Urban Grooves album as it is not that predictable but something a little more exciting and refreshing with a blend of youth and experience. There is something in there for almost every ear. This is recommended for those who like Urban Contemporary, Rhumba, House and Kwaito.

Buy the album here: http://zimvibes.com/index.php?ind=reviews&op=entry_view&iden=493

Cover Art - 4/10

Music - 7/10

Technical Sound - 7/10

'I Like Factor' - 6/10

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