Album Review: Soul Jah Love - Ndofirapo

Am not your usual music critic, that guy has taken a step back for this one and i'm in charge, may as well be better than him but semunhu ari humble lemme not brag....am now part of the Proud Zimbo,  in fact when I think about it I was already a part of PZ but preferred to be more silent but now am also getting my hands dirty so we'll be meeting quite a lot on this blog. You can call me Misfit ....so lets get to the main event:

Soul Jah love is one of the best Zim dancehall artists and has been consistent with his hits. His kind of delivery is popular with the masses and his ability to make a hit track out of nothing is second to none. Soulja love has already given us hits like Pamamonya Ipapo and Zvinhu and now he is here with a full project called Ndofirapo. Albums have never been his stronghold but that is not stopping him from trying, regardless today we'll be sharing my views on the album

The opening track is a catchy Ndofirapo  produced by sunshine family and its like a fusion of afro beats and dancehall, part of the lyrics interpolate Patoranking's my woman. This is a love  tune and he's talking about how dedicated he is to his girl and how he can't live without his girl. Soulja Love uses his signature freestyle kind of delivery and sunshine did an okay job on the instrumental. This is a great tune to start the album, loved Soulja Love's adlibs too.

The second track Yeke Yeke (yekedero) is also produced by sunshine and this is bound to be one party track, not the best one around but definitely be making waves at some parties. There isn't much to right home about on this song. The instrumental is not the best but it fits Jah love's flow perfectly.

The third track Ndambakuudzwa was produced at solid records and they did well with the production and on this track this is when this album starts to pick up. The track serves as a warning to people who try to make their way through life whilst ignoring advice and it's rich with shona proverbs especially the chorus. The instrumental is simple and works well with Jah love's vocals, also love the placement of the Yosour N'Dour (if i am not mistaken) sample 

The fourth track Pindirayi was produced by DKT and keeps the pace set by the preceding track Ndambakuudzwa. On this track he's asking for divine intervention and also giving thanks to the Lord for how he has blessed his life. DKT did so well on this instrumental especially the lovely melody towards the end and Soulja love's vocals blended so well with the instrumental. This is easily the stand out track at this stage 

The fifth track Jarachara has one hard instrumental fit for any bashment and Jah love delivers a flow which fits well with the beat and on this track he's reminding people how good he is at what he does. He employs his freestyle kind of delivery and for some part it works. However this is a very nice track you can play over and over again 

The sixth track Chaunodyara is produced by Sunshine family and it keeps up with conscious direction in the lyrics and in this track he is urging hard-work among-st his peers since there's nothing for free. His vocals are different on this track which isn't a bad thing though since they go well with the track 

The seventh track Chigayo was also produced by Sunshine family and this is one forgettable track, Soulja love is boasting about his style and place in Zim dancehall but the track is hard done by lyrics like 

       "ngoma dzangu isadza remubhini"

The eighth track on the album is a conscious track I was actually surprised the album had made it this far without one.. The song has faint hints of lucky dube and the instrumental arrangement is on point, this track would definitely sound so nice with a live band. This is a gospel track and Jah love is talking about how he wishes to go out there and spread the good that God has done and he is surely coming soon. This is a track where sunshine family finally showed up in the production department.

The ninth track Aita Chake is another one of those tracks that divide opinion.. The message is there but the track on its own isn't that great and the beat selection leaves a lot to be desired 

The tenth track on the album is called Moto Mubherina and on this tune Jah love is again outlining his stature in the game and just like Chigayo this is another forgettable track 

The penultimate track is called Usandirasire and its another track that divides opinion at this stage the album is on a free fall because of lack of quality other than the chorus and the beat Jah love really didn't show up on this track. 

The final song is called Usacheme is a good wrap for this album, the beat is okay and Jah love delivers a comforting message to all going through tough times 

To end it all lyrically this album is what you would expect from a Jah Love project. The beat/Instrumental selection is quite questionable sometimes but Jah love does well to keep the album afloat.. there are a few good standout tracks but none are better than the singles he dropped in the run up to this project 

My Overall rating: A,B,C,Poor

What are your thoughts and views on the album???

[Ndini Wenyu - MisFit]

Proud_Zimbo