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Nkululeko Nkala
I know the term a�?killing ita�? has been abused a lot. I have been to events where there is no co-ordination whatsoever and later heard so and so killed it.
So I am only going to use the term because ita��s used a lot these days and somehow could maybe best describe Jeys Marabinia��s latest offering Thula Sana.
The 12-track album is a feast for the ears both in terms of lyrical content and music arrangement.
In recording the album Jeys had to seek the assistance of some top musicians based in the capital and trust me it shows and you can feel it on the album.
The musician has recorded eight albums but with this new one, he outdid himself.A� I cana��t stop singing along to the song DJ.
Ita��s a catchy tune with some amazing guitar sounds. I am assuming this song was done by one Silent Nqo. The boy is talented, his legend grows by the day.
Maybe before I tell you which other songs do it for me let me tell you about the amazing team behind this album.
It is produced by Jeys Marabini, Dumisani Ramadu Moyo of legendary outfit Insingizi Emnyama who is CEO of 10th District Records. There is also veteran musician Blessing Muparutsa who is Dudu Manhengaa��s husband.
On the engineers desk one finds talented sound engineer Tswarelo Mothobe and legendary engineer who has worked with Oliver Mutukudzi for many years Vusumuzi Moyo.
On instruments Jeys went all out withA� Leon Nuke Sivako on percussion, Nick Nare and MacDonald Moyo on keyboards, blessing Muparutsa on drums, Never Mpofu and Kelvin Ndlovu on bass guitar, Mthabisi Moyo, Lovemore Mpunzi, Rodwell Roda, Silent Nqo and Jeys Marabini on lead guitar.
One can feel the merging of different tastes and styles from the very first song. Add the velvety voice of pint-sized Dumi Nyongola and you have a killer.
Back to the music. Thula Sana comprises Iminwe , Ntombenhle , Diaspora, Hlala nami, Jabula , Nkunzemnyama , Africa, DJ, Human Rights , Thula Sana, Nkululeko and Wanyamalala in that order. Jeys has grown as a musician and this album takes him to another level.
It is amazing to listen to him do his own Jabu Khanyile in Diaspora which is a song pregnant with message. Or just listen to him sing Africa in a way that will leave Salif Keita drooling with envy.
I was especially taken by the song Nkululeko, not because of its beautiful title but the message behind it. The song speaks of the cost of trying to get freedom as people, how many are lost along the way. I translated it in many ways, it sounded good all the same. There is something for the gospel lovers too in Hlala nami. Ita��s still the same Jeys Marabini sound that we love, only better. I will give this album a four out of five stars.
Still on the arts, word on the street is BAZ will be in town in the next few days. Film scripts have been written, a few will be doing pilots in the next few weeks.
I always knew this was good for the industry. I just did not know how good. I had the pleasure of being part of one of the auditions for a Ndebele drama.
Over 250 people expressed interest pre audition. 178 auditioned for parts. My point is, this initiative could create employment for a lot of young people.
Here is hoping BAZ will come through for the producers. Come time for digitalisation we have to be ready to tell our stories through high quality TV. Until next week, be safe.
Online Reporter