ABOUT US

CONTACT US

ZIM LINKS

Music review: Arthur returns with 'happy album'

By Shepherd Sibanda
Showbiz Editor

THE period October-December is when there is most activity in the music industry, with almost every artist releasing an album in the race for that coveted Christmas Number 1.

Those with less conviction about the quality of their CDs have often delayed the release of their albums until January, fearing competition and being savaged by music critics -- every artist's nightmare believe me.

So that season is upon us. The old and new players in the industry have flooded record bars with all kinds of music -- all seeking your attention. With this brand new column, we will take the burden of sampling every CD from our readers and tell you exactly who deserves your hard earned cash.

In this instalment, we will concentrate on South African music, and one stable in particular -- Gallo Records.

ARTHUR'S new one

Many of us, including yours truly, thought kwaito king Arthur Mafokate was finished. How wrong!

He has returned to the big time with his 10th release, a 16-track album called Mamarela (Rest in Peace). Keeping with tradition, Mafokate avoids the social issues, preferring to dish out a diet of meaningless lyrics. He enthusiastically defends his stance.

"Everybody has adequately and eloquently addressed the issues so instead of burdening my fans with rehashed versions, I would rather provide what they seek most -- entertainment," he says.

Mamarela is basically a party album, loaded with happy music. The only track that will have a sobering effect is the title track which is a dedication to the late Brenda Fassie. On the track, Arthur is joined by the 999 Studios all star crew of Presss, Abba, Zombo, Lira, Addie. Chomee, Power and Speedy.

New Zimbabwe.com Verdict: 7/10. It's nothing like Arthur's earlier albums but definitely worth having in your collection.

Township pop band By 4 returned with their 5th album under the stewardship of Penwell Kunene the former Matshikos lead singer who broke away from Dan Tshanda to start his own dynasty.

Piki Piki (a type of children's game played in the twoships) is a real triumph for the genre which was popularised by acts like Splash, Patricia Majalisa, Dalom Kids and Matshikos.

The four-member group led by Kunene's wife Ivory have not just put together an album, they have upped the game to challenge the house music and kwaito explosion sweeping across South Africa.

Ivory said: "Most of the songs are about stuff that has happened in my life. Piki Piki is my favourite song on the album, but also Mr Taxman which is about the way us artists don't make money yet we are expected to pay so much in tax."

New Zimbabwe.com Verdict: 9/10. This is a 'must-have' for any music lover. Full marks.

Penwell Kunene returns with his first solo album since that well-documented split with Dan Tshanda. The song is not the happy album one expects around the festive period and the title -- On My Own -- should give you an idea. Kunene uses the album to talk to his fans, addressing various important issues that have moulded him into the man he is today -- from growing up without a father and being accused of a crime he did not commit. One theme is unmistakable -- he retains that tenacity, charm and patience he has kept in his 22 years in the industry.

New Zimbabwe.com Verdict: 7/10. It's worth buying if you have some spare change.

Arguably the best album released during the festive season is Bhekumuzi Luthuli's latest offering A.T.M. If you are into the maskandi genre, this is probably the best CD that you will ever own. Apart from the forthright social message, there is the unmistakable guitar strings which blend into a soulful package.

The songs that will blow you away is the title track, Inhliziyo Yami and Uyash'Umntwana in which Luthuli returns to his favourite theme of the taxi drivers or osomatekisi as they are known in South Africa.

In Uyash'Umntwana, Luthuli moans the fact that his ex-wife fell in love with a taxi driver while pregnant with his daughter -- and now the daughter has an insatiable love for money because she grew up seeing people counting money.

The title track is a warning to men who work in the cities and leave their wives in the rural areas. Luthuli says most have turned into ATM cash machines for their younger girlfriends -- splashing on luxuries their wives have never and will probably never be treated to.

New Zimbabwe.com Verdict: 10/10. This is one of those albums that you can't afford to take out of your car stereo or you would just keep on repeat. If you don't have it, then you have nothing.

"Robbie Malinga's Susana is not worth the disc that it's written on -- a collection of playful nonsense"

I have picked another maskandi album by newboy Inyon'Emhlophe for review because the title track addresses the Zimbabwean political reality. The album Wavotaphi (Where did you vote) carries some uncomfortable home truths about the voter apathy in Zimbabwe elections and Inyon'Emhlophe says those who don't vote should not complain when they can't get jobs.

In the title track, Inyon'Emhlophe poses the question: "Sicel'ukubuza wena ndoda yase Zimbabwe/Wafun'umsebenzi ungavotanga kanti unjani?/Awuzwanga yini ukuthi umsebenzi utholwa ngumuntu ovotile? (We wish to ask you man from Zimbabwe/You want a job when you didn't vote/Didn't you hear that its only those who vote who get jobs?)"

The political message is hammered home in this Phuzekhemisi production with an accompanying slow guitar. If you have already bought Phuzekhemisi's new release Uyisipoki (You are a ghost), you probably don't need this CD because it would be duplication -- not that its bad but Phuzekemisi's influence is quite inescapable.

New Zimbabwe.com Verdict: 7/10. There are important lessons for Zimbabwe in this album and the artist has made a commercial gamble. I would buy it to say 'Thank You'.

The Soul Brothers continue to amaze me. There are very few groups with the staying power this group has displayed over the years in which they have released a staggering 31 albums in a similar number of years. Okay, staying together is easy if you are friends, but to keep your unique sound in that number of years and still enjoy success if an amazing feat.

Their new album Igobondela emphasises the Soul Brothers' total market domination of the mbaqanga scene. The 16-track album, recorded during a live performance in Johannesburg, also includes top hits from previous years including Isgebengu, Mama Ka Sibongile and Isithembiso.

New Zimbabwe.com Verdict: 9/10. Buy it...and come for your refund if you are not satisfied.

Gallo records have already released a host of new smashing and not so clever albums listed below. Skwatta Kamp are back with Wash'Umkhukhu which I think is, frankly, a poor imitation of American rap music.

Listening to Bambata's Abashokobezi, I kept asking myself: "What is this all about."

I failed to get the point of Robbie Malinga's previous album, and my puzzlement is not helped by his latest offering Susana. It's not worth the disc that it's written on -- a collection of playful nonsense.

I strongly recommend Mpume's latest album Umale Kanjani Ubaba. Don't be misled by the CD sleeve to think it's just one of those traditional Zulu songs for traditional ceremonies -- the album carries a refreshing sound and it's easy to find yourself singing along.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
shapiro@newzimbabwe.com

---

All material copyright newzimbabwe.com
Material may be published or reproduced in any form with appropriate credit to this website

---