Album Review: Jah Prayzah - Kutonga Kwaro
This album is Jah's key to continental domination, he is finally in a sweet spot whereby everything is going according to plan; he finally has the resources to produce the best quality music, he has a good reputation which makes him able to collaborate with whoever he desires on the African continent. If he does this correctly he will definitely be counted among the best artists on the continent. Reviewed his past two albums; my favourite from him Jerusarema (Jerusarama Album Review) and last years Mdara Vachauya (Mdara Vachauya Album Review ). Without wasting much of your time, have been listening to the album this whole week and will be sharing my views and thoughts below:
The album contains 14 track and will be doing a track by track review as usual;
1. Kutonga Kwaro
The intro track which is also the title track welcomes us with some lovely guitar work. The production is done very well, the track also introduces us to this new updated Jah Prayzah sound that creates the foundation for the whole album. The vocals are very well done, JP was superb, his vocals shine the most on these kind of songs and the backing vocals were also superb when called upon. The track has this traditional jazzy feel that I'm loving, the production is well done. The title track from his last album went on to be used a political soundtrack and this track is definitely gonna follow suit and that will be a pity because its a really lovely song.
2. Ndin'Ndamubata
JP always delivers some uptempo party jams on his album and this one such track on the album. The track despite taking a more modern route it has the essence of his past tracks and that makes the song relate-able. The instrumental arrangement is done very well, as you listen you can already picture JP and his band pulling some serious dances whilst performing this track, great job by Dj Tamuka. The vocal performances are done very well, both JP and the backing vocalists were on point.
3. Nziyo Yerudo
This is the song given the task to lead the album like what Watora Mari did last year and its a very lovely jam. JP had to accept some compromises on this song, they went for a sound that is more of synonymous with Yemi than JP but that is to be expected when you collaborate with a bigger artist than you. The production is done superbly, DJ Tamuka outdid himself on this track, its sounding awesome. JP was strong and superb on the vocals but Yemi stole the song with a very lovely performance, she also got quite a lot of time for someone who is featuring. The artists complemented each other well, they have chemistry. This is the best JP continental collaboration to date...super lovely and it's believe it's gonna give JP more mileage on the continental scene compared to his other collaborations. Nziyo Yerudo means Song Of Love and that is what this track is about; celebrating your partner and the love they give you. A deserving lead single.
4. Chengetedza
This was the track many knew going into the album, JP has been teasing his fans at his live shows for some time. Its a lovely jam, one of those tracks that just serenade you away, you cannot deny the allure of such a track. They way he arranged the vocals is one of the many winning parts of this track, they adopted a familiar gospel hymn structure and that will help endear the track to a loooot of Zimbos. The production is also done well, the lovely guitar helps in bringing out the hymn vibe that this song is structured around, good work by DJ Tamuka.
5. Emerina
When JP stated that he has not completely gotten rid of his old sound he was telling the truth and this track will definitely please those who loved the old JP. He took a step back from his new sound (not completely) and delivered a Chinamira kind of song that is going get fans on the dancefloor. The production is again done very well, great job by Vic Taks. JP delivered his usual signature performance on the track and the backing vocalists were also at par. This is a track about having a great time, life is not about the serious times, sometimes you have to loosen up and enjoy. Festive anthem in the making.
6. Poporipipo feat Diamond Platnumz
JP teamed up again with Tanzanian Superstar Diamond Platnumz for this track. This time they went for a slow afro beat kind of instrumental, a style which is very popular on the continent. They both delivered lovely vocal performances but its not as hard hitting as their last song. I'm not sure if the title means anything or it just sounded nice when sung on top of the instrumental and gives the chorus a catchy element. The production is done quite well, but all in all the song does not have the magic I was expecting.
7. Halla
This tracks sounds as if I have heard it before, it's too generic to stand out. The instrumental arrangement is done okay and the track is sounding okay. It also showcases the lack of dynamism on the part of Jah Prayzah in terms of vocals. This is a track about a long distance relationship, when you just wish to talk with your other half. JP delivered his usual signature performance.
8. Unondiziva
Love the jazzy intro on the track, the overall production is more akin to the traditional JP and it will sit well with those who love his traditional contemporary sound. JP again delivered his usual performance, showcasing his strong vocals and the backing vocalist also did a good job. Enjoyed the saxophone touch on this track.
9. Hello Mama
This song sounds like a stripped down Watora Mari. The production is however done well but it sounds as if you have heard the track before. The winning part of this track is the theme; it highlights how parents yearn to just talk to their children, we all grow up and most of the times we get too busy concentrating on our lives and forget to constantly keep in touch with our parents, they may not say much about it but they do yearn to hear from you once in a while. Just a short message or call will go a long way. Its a track that shows the importance of communication, and keeping in touch with loved ones, cherish them whilst they are still on this earth. The production is also done quite well, it complements the instrumental very well, especially that lovely guitar in the background.
10. Masoja
This track reminds of Kurumidza from his last album, something about the structure sounds similar, loved that track and I also love this one. The track sounds good, JP's vocals are good and the backing vocals are also good. This is one of those tracks whereby you just end up bumping your heard to the beat, it has that lovely feel good feel to it that you cannot escape. It talks about the plight of the soldiers as they undergo training, those long treks in the forests as they go from one base to another. That last part on the album will make a good viewing at a live show, I bet that's why it was included.
11. Pikoko
Reminds me of Mwanasikana from his Kumbumura Mhute album, it has this old skool township his vibe. The production is done well. This track is about wanting to spend all the time with your partner, it perfectly describes that period after your wedding where all you need is to be around your partner and you put other relations on hold in order to enjoy the company of your other half. Jah is again superb on the vocals. This will be staple at many weddings especially on wedding steps in the coming months.
12. Chipo
They went for a simplistic arrangement on this track, it keep you in sort of a suspense till the end, you will be waiting for the usual kicks which never come. I love the structure the track, it will make a good viewing at an acoustic night. JP was good on the vocals. and the backing vocals also did well. This track is dedicated to Chipo, an amazing lady that has taken JP's attention and he wants to make her his wife.
13. Chokanyonyo
This track is JP also trying to have some mileage on the Chakanyanya, Chokonyonyo, Chekenyenye craze that has taken over the comments over social media. The track is an uptempo jam aimed at getting people on the dancefloor and it succeeds in a way. JP borrowed a leaf from the Nigerian handbook here whereby you created a catchy track with very little or no content at all, just throwing in catchy, melodic tones to create that party mood. This track is like Sendekera, you don't enjoy it because of what it means but because of how it sounds.
14. Muchinjiko
Over the past two years there have been a number of clips of JP singing in church and its not a surprise that he borrows a Hymn from the Methodist church for his album. Such a move can be disaster if not done well but JP did justice on this rendition. It's different from all the other tracks on the album and it gets you into this sort of trance, the way its arranged, the instrumentals everything is done well (love the guitar...superb) and it ends before you want it to end. JP's vocals are made for these type of tracks, it just strikes the right chords and feelings...superb. This is not the most commercial track on the album but it the best track on the album. By the end of the track you will be clapping to the rhythm, bumping your head strongly to the beat....such songs speak to the soul rather than just the ears. Perfect track to end the album.
So that it's for this album and I have enjoyed listening to this album more that I expected. Its not at the Jerusarema level but it's the closest JP has came at replicating the magic of that album, it's a very solid offering. Previously JP only had one top class album which is Jerusarema and with this album he has got his second top class album. The production is done very well throughout the album, DJ Tamuka has been having one superb year and this album will further push him name at the front of the pack. JP has finally completed his switched from to a more modern contemporary sound. He has however kept a lot of the arrangements the same so his fans will relate to the new sound.
In terms of vocals JP delivered a solid performance all over the album, his strong and well mastered vocals are evident throughout the album, he has reached his vocal peak, I don't think he can get better than this vocally, listen to tracks such as Chengetedza, Muchiniiko, Kutonga Kwaro...etc the will just testify how vocally awesome he is now. Another thing that I respect him about is that he has now shown he can also be dynamic, he is stil not as dynamic as the artist whom I feel is the most vocally dynamic in Zim Mokoomba's lead vocalist Mathias Muzaza but regardless that's a major improvement from him.
In terms of themes the album concentrates more on love, which keep it in line with his previous albums. He took a more spiritual route on the superb Muchinjiko and a personal route on Hello Mama. In the back of my mind was hoping that he was going to at least be more socially conscious on this album and address some issues that the majority are facing, but that remains a dream. Lastly on a few tracks he is showing signs that the more popular he gets, the more he is going to switch to the more catchy but less substance lyrics if tracks such as Chokonyonyo, Poporipipo are anything to go by.
To end this review I have to say this album is better than his last album Mdara Vachauya, yes it's not as explosive but it offers an improvement in quality and sound. JP has found a sweet spot with this album, all the tracks have a feel good vibe about them which makes the album a joy to listen to. My favorite tracks on this album are: Kutonga Kwaro, Nziyo Yerudo, Muchinjiko, Ndin'Ndamubata & Hello Mama. In conclusion this is a modern contemporary album with a lovely and superb jazzy heart, the saxophone and simplicity of the instrumental arrangements make it a solid package.
My overall rating: A,What are your thoughts on the album???
Proud_Zimbo
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