This is amazing work. You will literally feel the hard work and time and talent invested in this project. Everything seemed well-thought-out. The features? Just impeccable. Goes to say Kabza De Small really, really knows his stuff.
The album starts its journey with a fiery entrance on “Khusela”, which features Msaki. The eight-minute-long song starts off with the unique bounce that characterizes Afro House beats and then it infuses piano keys that goes ahead to pull the vocals in. That was a well-chosen way to go in for real. The song keeps going at that pace, but slows down at some point before picking up again which remains the tempo till the end. Beautiful composition, I must say. “Ingabe” seemed to have taken the baton from the first track. Destined to be a club -banger, this one. How the daring but soft voice of Spartz just keeps flowing in sync with the beat is just really something you have to love. If that isn’t musical chemistry, I honestly don’t know what else is. A match made in musical heaven.
Simmy and Njelic come with the juice on “Eningi”, singing and rhyming together in such harmony that must evoke a feeling in you. The feeling of wanting to leap to your feet to bust some hot moves you didn’t even think you were capable of. It’s so rhythmic, giving what it is supposed to go give; that street-worthy but chill vibe. Easily gliding down to the 4th song, “Ubumnandi”, top-tier female energy takes over, as Nia Pearl and MDU” synergize on a different level only very talented singers can access. The beats and ad-libs further help to project the many intricate beauties of the tune. Could effortlessly morph into a party anthem.
Kabza brings some special vocalists and artists on the next song, “Xola”, the fifth one. As Nobuhle, Ze2 join their voices together to make magic, Young Stunna slid in in-between things to lay down some rhymes, after which he leaves the show to the vicious vocalists that continue to serenade till fade. “Sondela” begins its run-time with some beautiful sounds that kind of start off like mashups but then get blended info something finer. Smoother. So that when the vocals from Ami Faku comes into play, it would be a perfect combo. A hit for sure.
Things get a bit serious on “Bathini” with the introduction of the hip-hop vibe courtesy Young Stunna, and the great work done by Artwork Sounds that tweaked a good supply of life into the track. On “Azkhale”, Daliwonga comes through with the hot sauce, passionately singing over the dance beat, both given ample time to showcase themselves. Nkosazana Daughter and Murumba Pitch fuse talents on “Isoka”, playing perfect complementary roles to each other and still staying on course with the beat.
“Ngyamthanda” sees Nicole Elocin, Phila Dlozi, and Da Muziqal Chef join the force of talent and great voice textures to create that sick, top-floor music that could also become an excellent choice on a lit party’s playlist. Great combo. One that gives way and welcomes “Rekere 2” to the dancefloor. With Stakev doing some background crazy, stylish hype. A potential DJ’s favorite. “Musterendende” takes the scepter and brought with some powerful chord-strumming. The inclusion of the strings really gave the song a finer blend with the powerful vocals of Mr. Brown and Jon Delinger. Da Muziqal Chef makes another appearance on this one.
On tracks 13, 15 and 16, DJ Maphorisa himself makes his prowess incredibly felt. Great feature choices. Artists like Ami Faku, Da Muziqal Chef, Young Stunna, Mhaw Keys and Daliwonga all made multiple appearances on different songs.
All tracks produced by Kabza De Small with assistance from other great producers.
