adminLungelo Ndhlovu Entertainment Correspondent
RENOWNED Tshibilika muso, OBEDIAH Matulana, has diversified his musical approach by releasing a reggae album.
Titled Testing Ground, this album becomes his 15th offering and the first of its kind since the launch of his career in the Tshibilika genre, in the early 80s.
Matulana cites that this album was prompted by his South African fans who suggested that he explores other genres and diverge from his traditional Tshibilika genre, hence the name of the album Testing Ground, which is also the title track of this CD.
“Testing Ground is basically my new venture into a totally different genre to try and diversify my musical career and tap on new audiences with a different taste,” said Matulana.
The twelve track album was released last month and it’s now available in the music stores.
Produced locally by popular musician and producer of the famous Kura Mwanangu track, Nkosana Mthunzi, Thintitha Tshuma and himself, the album boasts of tracks such as; Testing Ground, I’m sorry, Give me a sign, Reggae music, Africa wake up, R.I.P amongst others.
Other tracks include Corruption, We are watching, Our Father and Highlanders FC.The track Highlanders FC is a tribute to the Bulawayo soccer giants and he hopes the track will increase his fan base since the team boasts of massive followers.
“Highlanders FC is a uniting song for both fans and followers of this team in the sense that it seeks to conscientise people that they should shun hooliganism and tribalism,” said Matulana.
He also cited that plans of releasing the live DVD of this album are on the cards since he is still assessing the response of his fans to his reggae offering.
However he said his Tshibilika fans should not despair as he has not abandoned them.
He promised that he is working on an album which he hopes to release later this year.
“Like I said, Testing Ground is kind of a demo album to try and tap into other genres.
My fans should not feel abandoned because I have plans of releasing a hot Tshibilika album around November this year,” said Matulana.
Bongani Ndlovu