Album Review: Tocky Vibes - Kwatazonke
Tocky is one of the best examples of how one can fall from the top to the bottom. He ruled the airwaves and shows in 2014 but then one mistimed move/Album changed everything for him. He changed from being a staple at every respected show to being bot booked to any show. He has however kept the hope that one day he will return to the top. He has now created a new sound, which is not specifically the Zim Dancehall that made him a household name. The new sound to be honest does not do it for me at all, some may love that kind of vibe but to me its a big no no. He has now released another album and against all my gut feelings and perceptions I got my copy and listened to the album. I'm now ready to give you my views and thoughts on the album, so lets get to it.
The album contains 15 tracks and below is a track by track review of the album:
1. Maihwe (Prod by Lyton)
The track ushers you into the new sound Tocky is creating. I'm not that big a fan on his new sound but it was okay on this track. The instrumental was okay till the bass and kicks commenced, the bass line is not that good. However way Tocky structured his lyrics is quite good and in a way it saves the track.
2. Kwatazonke (Prod by Mono)
This track takes me back to the good old days of reggae one drop music. The instrumental arrangement is just fantastic. Monomukundu did a fantastic job here. Tocky did his part very well and delivered a good vocal performance. Love the chorus, it blends well with the superb instrumental. More dub echo effects would have done this track justice especially on the chorus. The instrumental steals the show here its amazing. Mono deserves an applause.
In overall this a weak album. Loved more instrumentals than whole tracks on this album. Tocky's typical perfomance is now a bit outdated, he really needs to redevelop his style. He is experimenting with a new sound and after listening to this album he still needs to further develop and master his new sound. The album however is not completely bad and contains some tolerable jams like, Kwatazonke, Woman I Need You, Wangu Warova, Wamugonera and Chinhango.
Tocky said in an interview that he sings music and is not confined or restricted by genres but truthfully that is hurting his sound. He is singing every type of music and that is coming at the expense of the quality of his music. The theme and topics in a way save the album from being a complete mess.
For those who are enjoying his new sound they may probably enjoy the album, as for me he could have done way much better. He worked with many established producers and expected a better product but that was not to be.
Proud Zimbo Rating: F(35%)
What are your thought on the album??
3. Wadhakwa NgeDoro (Prod by TMan)
The number of drinkers has risen at an alarming rate in the past decade, mostly due to the deteriorating economic and social conditions. This has led to many people making a fool of themselves when they are drunk. Tocky is shunning such shameful behavior on this track. The instrumental is okay. Tocky was also okay on the vocals.
The number of drinkers has risen at an alarming rate in the past decade, mostly due to the deteriorating economic and social conditions. This has led to many people making a fool of themselves when they are drunk. Tocky is shunning such shameful behavior on this track. The instrumental is okay. Tocky was also okay on the vocals.
4. Mari (Prod by Lyton)
As the title implies this track is about money. He is saying everyone wants money but not everyone gets money. The instrumental is not that good. The way the vocals are structured is also not good. In overall this is a weak track.
As the title implies this track is about money. He is saying everyone wants money but not everyone gets money. The instrumental is not that good. The way the vocals are structured is also not good. In overall this is a weak track.
5. Satani (Prod By Nicky)
Did not expect Tocky to jump onto the afro beat train. He sings about every genre now!!! The instrumental is sounding quite good, its not exceptional but it can get a number of people dancing. The vocal perfomance on the other hand are not that awesome. The vocals are structured in a Naija inspired kind of way and that just makes this track bad. The choice of words is also a miss, the chorus may be easy to sing along to but the verses are bad.
Did not expect Tocky to jump onto the afro beat train. He sings about every genre now!!! The instrumental is sounding quite good, its not exceptional but it can get a number of people dancing. The vocal perfomance on the other hand are not that awesome. The vocals are structured in a Naija inspired kind of way and that just makes this track bad. The choice of words is also a miss, the chorus may be easy to sing along to but the verses are bad.
6. Chigumbu (Prod by Lyton)
Tocky is creating a new genre for himself and this track fits in that new genre. The instrumental is sounding okay but it doesn't really interest me. It however has some reggae elements in it which are making it tolerable. Tocky gave a typical perfomance and on this track he is urging people not to store anger within them as it will end up causing problems for them and not the one they hate is aimed against.
Tocky is creating a new genre for himself and this track fits in that new genre. The instrumental is sounding okay but it doesn't really interest me. It however has some reggae elements in it which are making it tolerable. Tocky gave a typical perfomance and on this track he is urging people not to store anger within them as it will end up causing problems for them and not the one they hate is aimed against.
7. Wamugonera (Prod By Munya Vialy)
Love the instrumental on this jam, the bouncy bass line is sounding good. Tocky also delivered a good perfomance, love the way he structured the vocals. The theme of the track is also on point. He is saying life is tough and needs people who are willing to fight in order to live/achieve what you want. Also you can never please people completely, if you live by peoples acceptance you will amount to nothing at the end.
Love the instrumental on this jam, the bouncy bass line is sounding good. Tocky also delivered a good perfomance, love the way he structured the vocals. The theme of the track is also on point. He is saying life is tough and needs people who are willing to fight in order to live/achieve what you want. Also you can never please people completely, if you live by peoples acceptance you will amount to nothing at the end.
8. Woman I Need You (Prod by Mono)
The production of this track is fantastic. It on a reggae tip and Mono as before did a fantastic job on the production. The instrumental arrangement is on point. Tocky also raised his game and gave a good vocal performance, he managed to blend well with the instrumental. The track is about acknowledging the importance of women in our lives and appreciating them. All in all this is a good jam.
The production of this track is fantastic. It on a reggae tip and Mono as before did a fantastic job on the production. The instrumental arrangement is on point. Tocky also raised his game and gave a good vocal performance, he managed to blend well with the instrumental. The track is about acknowledging the importance of women in our lives and appreciating them. All in all this is a good jam.
9. Attack KuSugar (Prod By Levels)
The hardcore instrumental greets you, coupled with the trademark Ah Ah Hii Hii, it makes this one of the best intros on the album. The instrumental is sounding very good, great work by Levels. Tocky gave a perfomance reminiscent of his popular 2014 days. He managed to work and blend with the instrumental quite well.
The hardcore instrumental greets you, coupled with the trademark Ah Ah Hii Hii, it makes this one of the best intros on the album. The instrumental is sounding very good, great work by Levels. Tocky gave a perfomance reminiscent of his popular 2014 days. He managed to work and blend with the instrumental quite well.
10. Ndarepwa (Prod By Munya Vialy)
This track addresses the controversial issue of wives who claim to be raped by their husbands. Tocky is at the receiving end of the issue and he is narrating his story as to what happened on the day. Tocky's performance was good, he structured his lyrics quite well. The instrumental is sounding good. Its an okay track.
This track addresses the controversial issue of wives who claim to be raped by their husbands. Tocky is at the receiving end of the issue and he is narrating his story as to what happened on the day. Tocky's performance was good, he structured his lyrics quite well. The instrumental is sounding good. Its an okay track.
11. Shamwari (Prod By T Man)
T Man did a standard job on the production. The instrumental is sounding okay. Tocky gave a typical perfomance on this track and the chorus is not that inspiring.
T Man did a standard job on the production. The instrumental is sounding okay. Tocky gave a typical perfomance on this track and the chorus is not that inspiring.
12. Tushiri (Prod By Munya Vialy)
This is one of the tracks which came with visuals and they look okay. The track falls into Tocky's new vibe which i'm not a fan of. Tocky however gave a commendable performance to save the track. For a love jam the lyrics are also quite okay.
This is one of the tracks which came with visuals and they look okay. The track falls into Tocky's new vibe which i'm not a fan of. Tocky however gave a commendable performance to save the track. For a love jam the lyrics are also quite okay.
13. Tiraburu (Prod By T Man)
T Man was in charge of the production here and like the other tracks he produced on this album he did a good job. Tocky gave a typical performance which is not entirely bad. He managed to blend well with the instrumental. Its an okay song.
T Man was in charge of the production here and like the other tracks he produced on this album he did a good job. Tocky gave a typical performance which is not entirely bad. He managed to blend well with the instrumental. Its an okay song.
14. Wangu Warova (Prod by Guspy)
The bright instrumental gets your attention from the onset of this jam. The instrumental in overall is sounding very good, great work by Guspy Warrior. Tocky gave an okay vocal performance here, he blended well with the instrumental. This track sounds like its dedicated to a person at first but it dedicated to money. Cash is a scarce commodity in Zim right now, having cash in the pocket is a thing for the past, as the old saying goes; Masango Matema. This is a feeling that many Zimbos have at the moment. Love the wordplay here.
15. Chinhango (Prod by Munya Vialy)
The bright instrumental gets your attention from the onset of this jam. The instrumental in overall is sounding very good, great work by Guspy Warrior. Tocky gave an okay vocal performance here, he blended well with the instrumental. This track sounds like its dedicated to a person at first but it dedicated to money. Cash is a scarce commodity in Zim right now, having cash in the pocket is a thing for the past, as the old saying goes; Masango Matema. This is a feeling that many Zimbos have at the moment. Love the wordplay here.
15. Chinhango (Prod by Munya Vialy)
Love the instrumental here, the arrangement is superb. The bass line and guitar work is lovely. The whistle was a good touch. Its sounding awesome, great work by Munya Vialy. Tocky also delivered a commendable performance, he managed to complement the beat well, he structured his lyrics well. In overall this is a brilliant jam. One of my favourite on the album.
In overall this a weak album. Loved more instrumentals than whole tracks on this album. Tocky's typical perfomance is now a bit outdated, he really needs to redevelop his style. He is experimenting with a new sound and after listening to this album he still needs to further develop and master his new sound. The album however is not completely bad and contains some tolerable jams like, Kwatazonke, Woman I Need You, Wangu Warova, Wamugonera and Chinhango.
Tocky said in an interview that he sings music and is not confined or restricted by genres but truthfully that is hurting his sound. He is singing every type of music and that is coming at the expense of the quality of his music. The theme and topics in a way save the album from being a complete mess.
For those who are enjoying his new sound they may probably enjoy the album, as for me he could have done way much better. He worked with many established producers and expected a better product but that was not to be.
Proud Zimbo Rating: F(35%)
What are your thought on the album??
Proud_Zimbo
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