Sulumani Chimbetu - Tsapo Album Review
Consistency seems hard for Sulu these days when it comes to music releases. On the other hand the competition in the sungura genre has grown very much over the past 5 years and its easy for one to be left behind. Sulu last released Entanglement in 2020, which had Bvuma Kusara as the leading single, the album was received warmly by Dendera fans, I was quite impressed with the album but as time moved I felt its quickly faded into obscurity, it lacked staying power and I hope this new one will be better in that regard. The biggest advantage that Sulu has and that made sure even after such a long release sabbatical we still talk about him is the Chimbetu name and Legacy he inherited from his Legendary father, its a name that will last a couple of generations. He needs to have his house in order, reduce scandals and get to business in order to ensure Dendera does not fade and also pass the legacy to the next generation. He has a tall order to get his name back to the top of the music industry.
He has now dropped the new album Tsapo and after some time listening will be sharing with your my views and thoughts on the album. The album has 13 tracks, they are a lot for a Sungura album.
1. Timba
The first track on the album is a cry for guidance from the guiding spirits. One is tired of a life of poverty and constant struggle and is praying for a change, some form of victory in his life for a change. The track is well made, the arrangement is solid, the guitar work is well done and Sulu was solid on the vocals. A strong way to start the album, this a track that make you believe in Sulu's talent.
2. Hartley
This is a heartbreak song, where Sulu is saying you did not stand by me when I needed you, you were nowhere to be seen when I was down, I have seen your true colours and no longer want to be with you. The track is made well, the arrangement is good, Sulu was good on the vocals.
3. Mweya
On this track Sulu is asking for clarity and direction from the great men that walked the road of life before him, his ancestors. He has many questions about the mysterious things he has encountered after the death of his father the legendary Chopper, he has witnessed many suspicious things at the grave site including a cryptic peg that was put on the grave. Given all this \he wants to know if the spirit of his father is at peace is at peace and not being tormented by those who dabble in dark magic. The track is arranged well, the guitar work is good. The vocals are on certain parts louder than they should be, a mixing error on some parts.
4. Homwe
Sulu is singing about pick pocketers who was caught red handed on this track. He went on to describe their characteristics, and how they sell out in whatever you do. The track is arranged well, but its too short, it ends before you really get enough of the guitar.
5. Wakaipa
Sulu is talking about bad friends on this track, those friends that think the bad of you, those ones that always want to see you struggling. The arrangement is okay, the production is also good. Sulu delivered his signature performance on the track.
6. Ngirozi
On this track Sulu is asking the Creator and Ancestors for protection and guidance in his life. The track is arranged well, the guitar work is done well.
7. Chihera
On this track Sulu is saying I chose you among all the other ladies, do not break my heart, I am fragile take good care of me. The arrangement of the track is different from the usual Dendera, it more to the afro jazz side.
8. Perengende
The bass guitar is well done on this song, its sings alongside Sulu. The whole track is well arranged, on the vocals Sulu delivered his signature performance. On the track he is singing about a pair of trousers, that pair of trousers which is unique to one's trade. Its like a uniform which signals to others what kind of person you are.
9. Twuhanda
Sulu is talking about the fragile little ones who are exploited by the many predators in this world that we live in. There are those that will come into your space just to destroy and pillage all that you have without any thought on your well being. The track is arranged well, the production is also good. Sulu delivered a good performance on the vocals.
10. Nyoka
On this track Sulu is saying there are snakes that lie awaiting in the dark corners, in the bushes so one must always be wary when they are crossing such places. A snake will strike when you least expect it so always be aware. The track is arranged well, Sulu delivered his signature performance on the track.
11. Stars
On this one Sulu is playing around with the Zodiac stars as he tries to say life is not scripted as the so called mismatched stars can actually work together and succeed. The way he went about the stars, the analogies will not be understood by many. The track is produced well, the arrangement is good.
12. Ngwendere
Ngwendere is a sound an empty plate makes when it falls down. Sulu is saying the loudest objects are usually the empty ones, the loudest people are usually the ones with less substance. So if one claims they are important or have substance they should prove it.. The track is arranged well, the saxophone gives the track a jazzy feel which is nice.
13. Tiite Tiite
This is Sulumani's version of Saina, this is a trac where two people are in love and all that is left is making the marriage official, signing the marriage license. Sulu is showing off his lady to his parents and informs that all that is left is the ceremonies and they will be starting a new chapter together. The production is done well, the arrangement is good and Sulu was good on the vocals.
14. Soul and Heart
The last track on the album is a lovely Dendera and jazz fusion to serenade the listener, you can say its the saxophone version of the track Mweya. The arrangement is done well, one of those tracks that will be perfect when you are on that long drive out in the country.
So ya that's it for the Sulu's 8th album Tsapo and I have to say he did a commendable job, its a good listen and you can easily see that he still has that touch. He continued from where he left of on Entanglement.
Sulu inherited a solid band from his father and he has done well to keep the unit intact. You can witness the benefit of that on the track arrangements throughout the album, there is certain level of maturity and understanding of what makes a Dendera song unique which only seasoned players can deliver. Dendera is not just a smoother variant of Sungura but its also classy and tracks on this album have a certain level of classiness that one cannot get from most Dendera tracks out there. The instrumental arrangements are done well throughout the project, on Chihera they switched it to a afro jazz but also they arranged it well. Timba currently is my best on the project, the band showed what a solid unit they are.
Sulu uses various analogies to address social issues and he does that well on this project. Sometimes the analogies are a bit much and you will need a couple of listens to fully comprehend what he is talking about, which may put off some people. He however has retained his comical side, it shows in the choice of words, structure of certain lines and even the shouts (ad libs), which is something that as always made his music easy on the listener.
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