Mbeu and The Mhodzi Tribe - Manera Album Review

Mbeu and the Mhodzi Tribe are back with a new album and am very excited about it. The last two albums that I have reviewed from Mbeu ended up being my top projects in that specific year.

This year the competition is cranked up to maximum with solid projects dropping left right and center. How will this album fare to albums like Mustard Seed, Verified Milestone, Songs Of David and Gwara.

Rushed to get my copy and as usual will now be sharing my views and thoughts on the project.

As usual will be doing a track by track review. 

1. Chengaose

On the first track Mbeu is saying try everything you can, despite the world being full of thorns and distractions you will find something that works for you. Production is done well, track is well arranged, the vocals and instrumental blend well together. Vocals are solid, Mbeu was solid as usual and the backing vocals are also solid. 

2. Manera

On the title track Mbeu is saying given an opportunity I will take full advantage of it. An opportunity is taken advantage by those who are fully prepared, Mbeu is saying Lord am ready for that opportunity. Production is well done, the guitar work is done well. Vocals are also on point. 

3. Ndabvuma

On this track Mbeu is saying I have accepted that you are amazing, the way you mesmerise me is insane. Also he does not understand how she accepted someone who was looked down upon by many. Production is done well, instrumental arrangement is on point, love the guitar work. Vocals are also super well arranged. 

4. Temera (ft Jah Prayzah) 

Mbeu showed his versatility by switching to afro beat on this track. However there are a lot of signature Mbeu attributes in the production that ensures the track does not become too generic. Overall production is done well. Mbeu & JP also managed to blend quite well. 

5. Bira

This is party music on an Afro Jazz tip. On this track is saying celebrating (bira) is for the living, listen to the drums playing and get lost in the music. Production is very well done on this track, love the instrumental arrangement. 

6. Drinks On Me (ft Glen Washington) 

On this track Mbeu teams up with the legendary Glen Washington. On this track they are saying I have been searching all over for a woman like you. Honestly the track would have done without the drinks on me part, it reduces the romantic element of the track. Production is however done well. It's a nice track, but definitely could have been better. 

7. Pfumo Richauya

We continue on the reggae tip on this personal jam. Mbeu is saying the burden is now too much on me, there are many that use witchcraft to pull him down but he will continue holding onto the promise of the Creator he shall destroy them all. Production is again solid, instrumental arrangement is spot on, Cymplex did a good job on the production. 

8. I Don't Know

Mbeu ended the project still on a   reggae tip, the track has that reggae dub magic all over. Production is well done, the bass line is sickkk!! . On the track Mbeu is saying I Don't Know why you want me, because every time I try to get close to you you push me away.

Stream the album: Manera on YouTube

So ya that's it for this album and Mbeu has again delivered. He is definitely more experimental in his sound and arrangements.

Production wise this album is solid, applause to G-Fingers who was the main producer of this project. Mbeu has over the years proven he knows how to arrange his music and it's evident throughout this project. Despite him expressing his art in various genres (afro jazz, afro beats and reggae) he nailed it throughout. Mbeu made sure his unique touch shined through every track and this gives all the tracks that lovely Mbeu touch. I have enjoyed the instrumental arrangements on all of the tracks on this project. Another aspect that made me fall in love with Mbeu's music is the guitar work, it's again evident throughout this project.

The vocals also follow suit, Mbeu is a solid vocalist and he delivered throughout the project. Was very eager to see how he was going to react to losing Feli Nandi who brought the magic on the last project The Mhodzi Diaries and I have to say the new backing vocalists did well. The featured artists all performed well, JP delivered his signature style on Temera, and Glen Washington was solid on Drinks On Me. 

On the themes Mbeu the album was also on point; we get some love & relationship tracks, some motivational/uplifting tracks and some party jams. My only complaint is on Drinks on Me I feel they should have left that drinks on me part it sort of cheapen the romance. 

In conclusion this is another well made project from Mbeu. The vibe is correct with this project, have been enjoying listening to the album more and more as time goes. I definitely recommend this one. Is it his best project to date...??!! Definitely among his top 3, I still feel Hatizvimirire still takes the top spot. Love all the tracks on this project but if am to chose my favourite at the current moment will say, I Don't Know, bt that is definitely bound to change anytime soon. 

My overall rating: 8/10

Feel free to share your thoughts on the album in the comments section below.

Proud_Zimbo