Album Review: Winky D - Gombwe

The much anticipated album from Winky D is finally here, many have been counting down to this project and it's finally here. Winky D is a legend in the music game, he has been the face of dancehall for years, releasing hit after hit so you can understand the anticipation and hype surrounding this album. Winky massively upped his album release game in a big big way, he has finally accepted the icon/superstar status he has and the launch was a big one, something we previously only saw with Jah Prayzah.

After a public fallout with Oskid around the release of his last album Gafa Futi ChiExtraterrestrial many expected Winky to work with another producer (I had guessed Nicky) but they managed to resolve their differences and agreed to work again together on the new album. Winky and Oskid really make a superb team and with Oskid behind the production you must brace yourself for some heavy underlying bass, Oskid loves his bass, hope on the album he refreshed his arrangement though. 

The album contains 14 tracks as as usual will be doing a track by track review.

1. Gombwe 

This is the title track on the album and it's quite fitting. Gombwe means a guiding spirit so Winky is saying he is the guiding spirit of dancehall music and has received  music straight from the Lord. The production is done well and track has similar signature Oskid bouncy feel. Winky delivered his signature performance on the track.  

2. City Life (Shift Focus)

On this  track Winky is highlighting the importance of having street knowledge/people skills. He is giving hope to those who may not be as smart when it comes to academic, telling them that they can still get to live the life they want if they make use of their other talents. The production is done well and Winky delivered a good performance.  

3. Finhu Finhu

As we have come to expect that despite being the elder in dancehall Winky also delivers some party jams on the album and this first of those. The production is done well and Oskid went for the dancehall/afro beat fusion that he made popular with Disappear and its sounding quite good. The track is about having a good time in the face of troubles, its more like a follow up to a similar themed track; Karma from his last album but its not as good.

4. Highway Code

The track is probably the biggest party track on the album and is laced with some superb wordplay from Winky D, he is at his playful best on this track. My friend once said was among the best when it comes to delivering bars and this track is a testament to that, he was superb, funny and on point. The track has a bouncy feel to it and is laced with the signature bass line from Oskid.

5. Simba

On this track Winky is acknowledging his mistakes/shortcomings and is asking the Lord for strength as he goes on this long journey of life. Life is a trying and tough journey sometimes and one needs to notice where they lack and rectify those areas. The production is done quite well, the track is sounding nice. 

6. Number 1 (feat Heig Primary School)

Another interesting collaboration from Winky and its surprisingly works. On this track Winky is talking about how he desires to be the best at what he does, he does not accept any other position except the top position. It's more of a motivational track where he is urging other Zimbos to always strive to be the best. The track is on an uptempo tip and the production is done quite well. The addition of the Heig Primary School Choir add a nice feel to the track. 

7. Ngirozi (feat Vabati Vajehova)

This was the track everyone who went to the launch was talking about the next day. This was not a collaboration many expected from Winky and he pulled it off quite well. Winky delivered one of his  best vocal performance on this track. Vabati VaJehova were also on par at the vocals injecting a super lovely feel to the track, that last part from 02:30 is just amazing. The production is also done quite well, the instrumental arrangement is typical Oskid but it works. This track clearly shows how Winky has matured, he addresses the plight of those kids who are bought into this world to be laborers, those kids whose future is doomed from birth, the parents have not prepared for their futures and their lives are a struggle as they try to find means to survive. 

8. Onaiwo

Winky loves throwing some self praise at himself and this is the 3rd self praise track on the album. He is saying I set the pattern/standard which others follow and you should not compare him to these other soft artists and when he releases a track every other music just fades away. Which is true because Winky has over the years manged to switch, upgrade and re-invent his style as required. He goes on to deliver a strong performance lacing his verses with some very good bars. The production is done  well.

9. Marobot

Winky goes onto a motivational tip on this track, he is sharing how he did not give up even though life was hard. So he is urging his fellow youth that they should not love sleeping and relaxing but they should always be on the hunt, pushing those ideas and hustles till they bear fruit. Winky delivered his usual performance on this track, delivering some very good wordplay throughout his verses. Oskid did a good job on the production. 

10. I'm Hot

This sounds like another version of the track Onaiwo. Winky is again showering himself with some self praise, saying you cannot compare him to anyone else. He also continues to deliver some very good bars, wordplay as always it's on point. The production is however not that interesting, its one of the least favourite track on the album. 

11. Bho Yangu

Love the guitar work on this track, its a change from Oskid and its one I very much welcome. On this track Winky is saying if you become reluctant, are lazy or lack commitment that which you have will be taken away from you, so he will not sleep but will be always on his toes to make sure no-one takes what is his. The production is done quite well.

12. Dona

This is one catchy track, the structure of the vocals will get you singing along in no time and the instrumental does a good job complementing the vocals and adding to that addictive feel. Winky delivered quite a strong performance. On this track he is talking about those stylish ladies who make you feel as if they were born just like that, everything they do seem to effortless. This is one of the few party tracks on the album that may probably get people dancing.

13. Hatiperekedzane

This is one powerful track which highlights the importance of friendship, cherishing those people in you life for they may not be there tomorrow. Winky is urging people to squash those petty issues that will make people despise each other and advocating for love, friendship and forgiveness. Winky delivered a superb performance on this track, his best vocals performance on the album. The production is also at par, big up to Oskid. My favourite track on the whole project.

14. My Woman (feat Beenie Man)

This track has failed to move me since its release last year and that has not changed more than a month later. This collaboration was supposed to be much more explosive than this, when the King of Dancehall from Jamaica meets King Of Dancehall from Zim it was supposed to be magic but the song is waaaay of the mark in the wrong direction. On the track they are talking about those ladies who do not know how to treat their men. This track feels out of touch with the other tracks and its the worst track on the album, Dzemudanga would have been a much better option. 

Stream the album:

To wrap it all up I have to say this is quite a more down to earth/mellow and to an extend a more mature album from Winky. Its not as explosive as his last two albums, Gafa Life & Gafa Futi which is both a good thing and bad thing. Its bad in that those who just expected to sweat on the dancefloor (the majority) will be dissapointed, yes there are party tracks such as Highway Code, Finhu Finhu and Dona but they do not carry the same explosiveness as Disappear or Gafa Party. Its good in that for the album to last the whole year whilst remaining relevant there is need for down to earth/chilled songs with a more deeper message that will continue to resonate with fans throughout the year and to an extent the album succeeds, whether it will last the whole year i'm still skeptic, I feel he will be forced to release a couple of party singles during the last quarter of the year.

Winky on his part did quite a good job, his vocal performance was solid throughout and he also managed to tackle some important social issues. One thing that shone above everything else is his exceptional songwriting, the wordplay on this album is superb. A number of tracks on this album (Onaiwo, Highway Code, I'm Hot & Gombwe) are self praise but one would not realize that (except on I'm Hot) because of the way Winky delivers his message. The mature tag on this album is mainly derived from two tracks: Ngirozi and Hatiperekedzane, these are tracks that will make you think deeply about life and will continue being  relevant even when the "party" tracks fizzle out. Still on that socially conscious tip we get tracks such as Marobots, City Life & Number 1 where he is using his personal experiences to offer motivation to other youths who are in the situation he was way back, good move.

In terms of the production Oskid did an okay job in bringing out the relatively mellow feel this album has, but his instrumental arrangements are quite monotonous and they leave a lot to be desired. His signature style was a game-changer on Gafa Life in 2015 but now its a bit outdated, he needs to update his style, that's probably the reason why he is no longer controlling the music industry as he used to do. The sound quality of the album is however commendable, not the best but its okay. 

In conclusion, this album does not excite me that much, the wordplay definitely impressed me but as a whole package I feel the album could have been much more. Had this album been released last year alongside Jah Prayzha's Kutonga Kwaro it was going to be annihilated. 

Proud Zimbo Overall Rating: A,  B,  C+,  Poor.

What are your thoughts on the album Gombwe??

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