Album Review: Freeman - Top Striker
Freeman had a superb 2016 with his album Mangoma Hobho which received plaudits from all sectors of the music industry, did a review of the album and you can read it here: Mangoma Ihobho Album Review . He went on to release the much loved single Interview which is on the popular Jamaican produced Moskato Riddim. Following up on such a successful album is a tall order for nearly anyone and Freeman has finally decided to release the follow up to Mangoma Ihobho and today will be sharing my thoughts and views on the album.
As usual will be doing a track by track review.
1. Nothing Ah Gwan (Moyo Wangu)
The first jam on the track does a good job in setting the pace and standard for the album. It was produced by Dj Tamuka at the Millitary Touch and he did a very solid job. Love the bouncy nature of the track. Freeman is talking about what many of us experience on a daily basis, we smile and get on with life despite the many challenges we are facing. Many of us despite the many challenges we face we keep a positive attitude so we keep on smiling as if nothing is troubling us. The performance from the HKD Boss was tip top. Loving this tune.
2. Patichaita Mari
This is an anthem or prayer of many Zimbos. Zim has been under economic turmoil for more than 15 years now and for most people poverty has been a part of our lives so it's a dream and drive that pushes people to strive to be rich and get to live the life one desires. The track is well produced, Oskid did a solid job on the production. Freeman delivered a solid performance on the track, he structured his vocals well and the song is sounding good.
3. Machine Gun
What I had in mind when I saw this title was waaaay off the actual theme. On this track Freeman is just giving praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty Lord for being his protector. Despite all the forces he fights against, the Lord always fights for him and he powers through. The track was produced by Cashlibs and he did a good job, love the last saxophone part.
4. Rangarira feat Daruler
This may as well be the first big track from the album. Freeman and Daruler have a superb chemistry and it shows on this track. They are singing about that situation whereby the lady leaves a guy because he was not wealthy and now she is returning because the guy has managed to create some wealth for himself. Its a common occurrence which many of us have witnessed or experiences personally. The track was produced by DJ Tamuka and like the other track he produced he was on point. The instrumental is like a dancehall and afro beat hybrid which was made popular by Oskid when he produced Winky D's Disappear. The artist's both gave solid performances, like I said before they have chemistry between them, their voices complement each other well.
5. Yellow Bone
The title of the track caught the attention of many fans when the track-list was released and now it's drawing some mixed reactions. The track is produced quite well, the instrumental is nice, the vocal arrangement is quite okay and it could have been better. Its also the opposite of track 7 and that shows a bit of disorder in terms of the album arrangement. In overall with the expectations I had of the track i'm quite disappointed.
6. Baba Vemusha Uno
This is one powerful socially conscious jam. Freeman switches to a wife's perspective and is talking about some very irresponsible fathers out there who have little to no regard for the welfare of their families, they squander all their salaries at the bars and entertainment spots without considering school fees, food and other responsibilities they have to fulfill. The track was produced by Sunshine and they did a good job, the instrumental is sounding good and most of all does not take attention from the vocals but complement them rather. Freeman gave a superb performance on the jam and the backing vocalist were also on point.
7. Baby Rakashata
This track is more like a not so good version of King Shaddy's Svosvai, they address the same theme but it lacks the humour and appeal that made Svosvai a hit track. Svosvai was loved even by the ladies and I don't see this one getting the same love from the ladies, its in a way offensive to them. The instrumental is however sounding good, its structured well but the poor structure and way of structuring the them kills the track.
8. Mutinhimira Wemumhanzi feat Roki
This was a surprise collaboration and it did not disappoint. It has a different smooth vibe to it courtesy of Roki, the end result is a lovely sounding jam, one that will get you bumping and nodding to the beat. Forcey did a good job on the production, its sounding quite lovely. Freeman was good on the vocals and Roki soothed the jam out with his lovely vocals, the collaboration works. This in s self praise jam from the two artists, the are highlighting the experience and mileage they have acquired in the industry.
9. April 19
Freeman is very good when it comes to love tracks and he maintained his good streak record with this track. Its always quite romantic when a guy can remember the actual date and moment that he fell for a lady. On this track Freeman is telling his lady that he fell for her on the 19th of April at a church all night program when she was sitting on the front row benches wearing a black dress. The track is also well produced, the instrumental is sounding good and the track has a nice feel to it. Freeman was also good on the vocals. Nice jam.
10. Top Striker
The title track on the album is more of self praise jam. Freeman is emphasizing that he is one of the best in the game, he has been doing big for years and without him the industry will be poor. The track was produced by VicTaks and he did a good job, its arranged well. Freeman was also equally good on the vocals.
11. My Story
This is a personal contribution by Freeman to what we should do as a country in order to move to the next stage. He is addressing the factions and sections that are divide this country and pulling the nation down. He is urging people to care for each other, unite and build a better Zimbabwe. The instrumental complements the vocals and theme quite well, its not distracting as is required on such a track. Freeman also gave a good performance on this jam.
12. Navo
Freeman teamed up again with Russo to ignite the Vhura Mukova magic and they did just that. On this track Freeman is talking about those people who do not want to see you succeed and happy in life, he is advising that you should not concentrate on them and carry on with your plans and life. The vocal performance from the HKD Boss is good and is complemented by the instrumental very well. All in all I feel it's slightly better than Vhura Mukova.
13. Usatsamwe
This is basically Adele's Someone Like You reggae version converted into Shona. Its dedicated to an ex whom Freeman has to let go off because he is now married but he wishes the best for her and hopes she will find another good man. The track is produced okay, it's not the best of tracks, however that Daruler backed part is good, I wonder why she did not back the whole track.
14. Smairi (Smile)
They went for a more hardcore type of instrumental and it sounding nice, Dollarghettaz did a commendable on the production. On this track Freeman is praising this lady with a beautiful smile that has got him mesmerized. His performance is okay, the structure of the vocals is okay but could have been better.
15. Mama (Mhamha)
Songs dedicated to parents are rarely a miss, a lot of people can easily relate to such tracks. This track is dedicated to all those who have lost their mothers. They went for a reggae instrumental on this track and its sounding okay. Freeman vocal performance is also okay. In all its an okay song with a touching theme.
16. Dikita feat JMP
1. Nothing Ah Gwan (Moyo Wangu)
The first jam on the track does a good job in setting the pace and standard for the album. It was produced by Dj Tamuka at the Millitary Touch and he did a very solid job. Love the bouncy nature of the track. Freeman is talking about what many of us experience on a daily basis, we smile and get on with life despite the many challenges we are facing. Many of us despite the many challenges we face we keep a positive attitude so we keep on smiling as if nothing is troubling us. The performance from the HKD Boss was tip top. Loving this tune.
2. Patichaita Mari
This is an anthem or prayer of many Zimbos. Zim has been under economic turmoil for more than 15 years now and for most people poverty has been a part of our lives so it's a dream and drive that pushes people to strive to be rich and get to live the life one desires. The track is well produced, Oskid did a solid job on the production. Freeman delivered a solid performance on the track, he structured his vocals well and the song is sounding good.
3. Machine Gun
What I had in mind when I saw this title was waaaay off the actual theme. On this track Freeman is just giving praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty Lord for being his protector. Despite all the forces he fights against, the Lord always fights for him and he powers through. The track was produced by Cashlibs and he did a good job, love the last saxophone part.
4. Rangarira feat Daruler
This may as well be the first big track from the album. Freeman and Daruler have a superb chemistry and it shows on this track. They are singing about that situation whereby the lady leaves a guy because he was not wealthy and now she is returning because the guy has managed to create some wealth for himself. Its a common occurrence which many of us have witnessed or experiences personally. The track was produced by DJ Tamuka and like the other track he produced he was on point. The instrumental is like a dancehall and afro beat hybrid which was made popular by Oskid when he produced Winky D's Disappear. The artist's both gave solid performances, like I said before they have chemistry between them, their voices complement each other well.
5. Yellow Bone
The title of the track caught the attention of many fans when the track-list was released and now it's drawing some mixed reactions. The track is produced quite well, the instrumental is nice, the vocal arrangement is quite okay and it could have been better. Its also the opposite of track 7 and that shows a bit of disorder in terms of the album arrangement. In overall with the expectations I had of the track i'm quite disappointed.
6. Baba Vemusha Uno
This is one powerful socially conscious jam. Freeman switches to a wife's perspective and is talking about some very irresponsible fathers out there who have little to no regard for the welfare of their families, they squander all their salaries at the bars and entertainment spots without considering school fees, food and other responsibilities they have to fulfill. The track was produced by Sunshine and they did a good job, the instrumental is sounding good and most of all does not take attention from the vocals but complement them rather. Freeman gave a superb performance on the jam and the backing vocalist were also on point.
7. Baby Rakashata
This track is more like a not so good version of King Shaddy's Svosvai, they address the same theme but it lacks the humour and appeal that made Svosvai a hit track. Svosvai was loved even by the ladies and I don't see this one getting the same love from the ladies, its in a way offensive to them. The instrumental is however sounding good, its structured well but the poor structure and way of structuring the them kills the track.
8. Mutinhimira Wemumhanzi feat Roki
This was a surprise collaboration and it did not disappoint. It has a different smooth vibe to it courtesy of Roki, the end result is a lovely sounding jam, one that will get you bumping and nodding to the beat. Forcey did a good job on the production, its sounding quite lovely. Freeman was good on the vocals and Roki soothed the jam out with his lovely vocals, the collaboration works. This in s self praise jam from the two artists, the are highlighting the experience and mileage they have acquired in the industry.
9. April 19
Freeman is very good when it comes to love tracks and he maintained his good streak record with this track. Its always quite romantic when a guy can remember the actual date and moment that he fell for a lady. On this track Freeman is telling his lady that he fell for her on the 19th of April at a church all night program when she was sitting on the front row benches wearing a black dress. The track is also well produced, the instrumental is sounding good and the track has a nice feel to it. Freeman was also good on the vocals. Nice jam.
10. Top Striker
The title track on the album is more of self praise jam. Freeman is emphasizing that he is one of the best in the game, he has been doing big for years and without him the industry will be poor. The track was produced by VicTaks and he did a good job, its arranged well. Freeman was also equally good on the vocals.
11. My Story
This is a personal contribution by Freeman to what we should do as a country in order to move to the next stage. He is addressing the factions and sections that are divide this country and pulling the nation down. He is urging people to care for each other, unite and build a better Zimbabwe. The instrumental complements the vocals and theme quite well, its not distracting as is required on such a track. Freeman also gave a good performance on this jam.
12. Navo
Freeman teamed up again with Russo to ignite the Vhura Mukova magic and they did just that. On this track Freeman is talking about those people who do not want to see you succeed and happy in life, he is advising that you should not concentrate on them and carry on with your plans and life. The vocal performance from the HKD Boss is good and is complemented by the instrumental very well. All in all I feel it's slightly better than Vhura Mukova.
13. Usatsamwe
This is basically Adele's Someone Like You reggae version converted into Shona. Its dedicated to an ex whom Freeman has to let go off because he is now married but he wishes the best for her and hopes she will find another good man. The track is produced okay, it's not the best of tracks, however that Daruler backed part is good, I wonder why she did not back the whole track.
14. Smairi (Smile)
They went for a more hardcore type of instrumental and it sounding nice, Dollarghettaz did a commendable on the production. On this track Freeman is praising this lady with a beautiful smile that has got him mesmerized. His performance is okay, the structure of the vocals is okay but could have been better.
15. Mama (Mhamha)
Songs dedicated to parents are rarely a miss, a lot of people can easily relate to such tracks. This track is dedicated to all those who have lost their mothers. They went for a reggae instrumental on this track and its sounding okay. Freeman vocal performance is also okay. In all its an okay song with a touching theme.
16. Dikita feat JMP
The last track on the album is on a party tip and will be a favourite on a lot of parties. The track is produced very well, it has a modern feel to it. The vocals are also on par with the instrumental, Freeman gave a good performance and JMP also delivered a good performance, their collaboration works. On this track they are basically saying the ladies should dance till they sweat. This track is just shouting for visuals, hope the HKD Boss drops the visuals soon.
In overall this is commendable album, it's not as good as Mangoma Ihobho but it's good. Freeman again engaged many producers for this album and that helps in diversifying the sound of the album and makes it quite a joy to listen to. The themes are well tackled, Nutin Ah Gwan, Navo & Patichaita Mari deal with stuff/issues most of us are experiencing on a daily basis, he also went deeper on a socially conscious tip with tracks such as My Story and Baba Vemusha Uno, he switched to a gospel tip with Machine Gun then as is expected he dealt with some love issue on tracks such as Ranagaria, Usatsamwe & April 19. It would not be an album without some self praise and fan appreciation tracks such as Top Striker & Mutinhimira Wemumhanzi. Closing the album is the only purely party jam on the album is Dikita.
When the album was released I was not that impressed (mainly because I was comparing it a lot to last year's album) but after some days I realized that the album is not as bad its actually quite good. Regardless it has some poor songs such: Usatsamwe, Bhebhi Rakashata and Yellow Bone and lackluster songs like Mhamha, Smairi, which I feel should have not been included on the album. If the album contained the remaining 11 tracks it would have been a very good album and probably got a higher rating. It was always going to be a tall order for Freeman to match Mangoma Ihobho, regardless the album has some tracks which are going to help maintain him as one of the best in the game, tracks like Rangarira, Nuting Ah Gwan, Dikita are bound to get some airplay on the many radio stations and if they get visuals I reckon they will gather a respectable number of views.
My overall rating,
What are your thought on the album??
Proud_Zimbo
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