It’s amazing what good music can do to you in the midst of a not-so-nice day, it takes you to a totally different world altogether. Those of us who get goosebumps know the feeling is amazing. This is how I felt when I first listened to Sisa Dube’s new album, Uhlelo lwempilo.
I stole this CD from a friend, and this doesn’t imply anything about me as a person, but I don’t regret that move, and I have been hooked since then. The album is a mixture of old and new school in the route of the Afro-pop genre. Forget the autotune that seems to be a little bit too much, the band is nothing short of amazing. This goes to show the power of live music and harmonious arrangements.
I think her bass guitarist and drummer deserve some kind of award by someone, somewhere. Through each song, I get caught between repeating the song and letting the next one play, the struggle has been real ever since.
With songs such as “Mayihlalela”, “Hlala nami”, “Amadlozi” and “kwaSenzangakhona”, old-school lovers are sure to have their feet tapping.
Those who prefer a mash-up between the two, will certainly enjoy tracks such as “Build a nation (Thuthukis’ isizwe)”, “Ushon’ egoli” and “Ngaphesheya”.
I would be belittling this artist if I were to compare her to songbird, Zahara, although they are almost in the same genre on the field. Her sense of style is more relaxed, and easy to relate to. She seems to have mastered the art of creativity for each one of these
14 tracks.
The beginning of each song is completely different from the end, her band members understand the art and they made sure to complement her voice in all the songs.
This album is really a must-have for those of us who take music seriously and enjoy all the effort put into a brilliant end product.
However, my excitement of this dazzling piece of work was short-lived. To date, I’ve tried contacting the numbers on the back of the CD cover with no luck.
One cannot have such a great album and not market it the way it should, this is the type of music that should go gold in a short space of time, provided the marketing is done well.
“You have dialled the right number, the timing is wrong.” This is all I have been getting since the first day I have tried getting hold of Sisa for an interview.
This is my attempt of getting her management to see that its work is too awesome to put under.
I have no idea whether the CD is out in stores yet, or how one can get hold of it, because the friend from whom I stole it, also got it from a friend. Sisa, if you are out there reading this, please get your art the exposure it deserves, it’s too good to be kept under wraps.
Those who happen to miraculously have the CD, will attest to the above, as for those of you who don’t, wait for an update on this article, while we try and locate it for you. In the meantime, we will keep enjoying the great music to which we are exposed.
