Trevor Dongo - Born In Highfield Album Review

Trevor D is an icon for a reason, he has delivered a lot of beautiful music over the years. He has won over many people of different age groups and has been the undisputed king of RnB for many for over a decade.

He released his more successful albums earlier in his career and over the years despite not reaching similar levels he has however delivered a lot of quality track along the way.

The RnB genre has now expanded and we getting guys such as Bryan K (my current fav on the genre), Nyasha David, Nyasha Timbe just to mention a few also proving they are forces to reckon with. However one good thing about the genre is despite being at each others throught there is mutual respect and the artists share ideas and collaborate. This album also serves as a testament of that unity and respect as Trevor teamed up with various RnB icons and stars.

Today will be sharing my views on the album, and as usual will be doing a track by track review.

1. Intro

The intro is narrating the history of Trevor D and introducing him to the fans

2. Born in Highfield (ft Highfield All Stars) 

On this track Trevor is hyping up his hood and has teamed up with a lot of artists from the legendary Hood such as DJ Mbale, Yoz, Shinsoman, Extra Large. This track has that old skool vibe that was popular during the Urban Grooves era and it sounds good. Production is done well. 

3. Chishamiso

Trevor is saying its a miracle that we have grown in love, I thank the Lord because of you , you are my all, my conforter. The production is well done and Trevor is solid on the vocals. 

4. Better To Fall (ft Bryan K) 

This is a combination that definitely got me excited, an icon and my current favourite on one track. Production is sublime, Bryan K brought his unique soulful touch and guitar to this track which am loving. MacDee delivered on the production of this one. On the track they are saying the love game has caused them heartache and pain so it's better they fall in love with music. The vocals are superbly done, Trevor was superb and Bibo yesssssss he brought it, love the collaboration. 

5. Everyday (ft Sanii Makhalima)

Two huge icons team up on this track, its doesn't get better than this in RnB circles. The result is definitely as u expect, awesome!. Production is well done, MacDee and Nyasha Timbe did well on the production, the track sounds good. On this track they are saying i am wrong sometimes but I think of you everyday and I do not know how I would live if you were away from me. Vocals are on point, both artists showed why they are highly regarded in the industry. 

6. Hwai (ft Trey XL & King Shaddy)

On this track Trevor is telling his partner that he can see through her, she may try to fake smile but he can see that she takes him as a dumb person whom she can do whatever with. Production is well done as usual. On the vocals Trevor was solid as you expect, he never really delivers less than solid, Trey XL was good, King Shaddy was solid, his wordplay again shining through. 

7. Mutsamvi (ft Jah Prayzah)

Talking about lineups this one here is serious business, JP on Mbira and vocals, Jose Chinouriro on Sax and Trust Samende on guitar... Yjuuuh this is one hell of a lineup. The end result is a solid sounding song which however sounds more like a JP song more than a Trevor D song. Trust did his thing on guitar and Jose was super solid on the Sax, love that solo part where the sax and guitar are serenading us. Vocal wise it's solid, Trevor is a great vocalist and he did superbly well but JP simply dominated the track he has that dominance factor, if he features he usually personalise the track also. Trevor said the track is a dedication to his late grandmother, she was his rock. 

8. Conversations With Your Heart 

Trevor is saying unto the lady he is crazy about that he has been falling deeper for her but she keeps avoiding him so he wants to have a conversation with her heart. Production is done well and Trevor was superb on the vocals. 

9. Let Me Go

This was the first track released prior to the album and its a very very lovey jam which has already received a lot of love from many Zimbos and has been in the charts for some time. On this track Trevor is saying we have tried to make this relationship work but we have failed, you just have to let me go, there is no more love. Production is done very well, MacDee and Trevor work together well and this song is another testament to that. This is track that easily shows why the guy dominated the genre for more than a decade. 

10. More Than A Night (ft Namadingo) 

On this track they are saying I want you for more than a night, I am going crazy about you so I promise to take you to be mine forever. Production is done well. Trevor and Namadingo complemented each other well. 

Stream The Album: Born in Highfield

So ya that's it for  latest project, it's his better project in a while. 

Production wise the album is well done, Trevor worked most with producers that understand his style and music; MacDee and Nyasha Timbe and they all did a superb job. The productions of Better To Fall, Everyday, Conversations with Your Heart & Let Me Go are absolutely RnB gold Mutsamvi is also very well arranged and produced despite being a different vibe. The other tracks are not bad but they not in the class of the mentioned. Also the switching of sounds sort of disrupts the vibe in a way, Mutsamvi is different from all tracks on this album, good yes but a different vibe altogether. The title track also does not deliver the soulful vibe other tracks have so the album as a whole does not deliver a uniform vibe, some tracks would have worked better as singles and those four I mentioned would have worked better as a four track EP. 

Themewise Trevor is known for delivering superb Love songs and he continues on that tip on the track. There are only two tracks that do not fall into the before mentioned category and that is Born In Highfield which is praising the iconic ghetto and Mutsamvi which he dedicated to his late grandmother and which also sounds more like a Jah Prayzah song. The themes were tackled well though. 

Vocal wise Trevor was very good throughout, I don't remember hearing Trevor deliver less than expected of him. He is an astounding vocalist and he shows that on this project. Love how he worked with various impressive RnB vocalists also, Sanii Makhalima was superb on his verse but the best collaboration has to be with Bryan K, Bibo is operating on a impressive super soulful level which is all over the track Better To Fall. Other collaborations such as Trey XL, King Shaddy, Nomadingo & Highfields All Stars all were good in their various ways. 

In conclusion this is Trevor's better project in years, its not at the level of his First Verse project but its good. Trevor showed he is still  a force to reckon with in the music industry. It's quite a good project to listen to, if you are looking for some lovely tracks to add onto your RnB playlist I recommend : Let Me Go, Everyday, Conversations with Your Heart & Better To Fall. These tracks prove that soulful RnB is ot dead and is still a force to reckon with. Trevor D & MacDee still make a formidable combination. 

My overall rating: 7/10

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

Proud_Zimbo