MUSIC
Album Reviews
Album
: Lifted
Album
: Fire Of Zamani
Artist
: Mr. Bell
Artist
: Ice Prince
Genre
: Gospel
Genre
: Afro Pop/Rap
Record Label : Archangel Music
Record Label : Chocolate City
Date of release: September 2013
Date of release: November 2013
A double CD album with 23 tracks in total, Kenneth
Jonasi, popularly known as Mr. Bell, has really
worked hard on his comeback album after years of
being off the Zimbabwean scene and having been
based in South Africa. He wrote and produced most
of the songs having a balance of praise, which would
be the more upbeat tracks and worship, which are the
ballads. Well thought of and containing powerful,
inspirational messages, “Lifted” gives fans that
nostalgic Mr. Bell flavour that they were introduced
to, in the early 2000s, and a sound that is relevant to
current times. The album features the likes of vocally
talented Liezel Watson, Verlene Faro, Portia Jonasi,
rapper Afurakhan on “Rebel Music” and the
traditional hymn “The Lord Is my Shepherd” was coproduced by pioneering urban grooves producer,
Delani Makhalima and additional arrangements by
Bernadine Bismarck. Some tracks like “I Can” and
“Come Together” include samples of inspirational
messages from Bishop Tudor Bismarck and the great
Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. With a book to
accompany the album “Lifted” is sure to get you
lifted.
Ice Prince is one artist who has been known
for consistency and this album is nothing
short of that. Inspired by fellow musician,
Tuface’s song, the title of the album, “Fire Of
Zamani”, is a reflection of Ice Prince’s journey
in life and his career. Having been a BET
award winner, he managed to get
international artistes such as French
Montana and Wale to feature on this album,
which added to his five hit singles.
Impressive, we must say! So listeners get to
hear Ice’s vocals, which are pretty
exceptional and of course his powerful rap
which has made him one of Africa’s most
bankable artistes. Overally, this album is
good, with Ice playing around with different
sounds such as reggae/dancehall, and gospel
however, it has its moments where one can
question, ”Okay, Ice Prince what happened
on that track?”. But this “fire” of Zamani,
really brings the heat on and takes African
music to a whole new level on the
international scene.
Rate:
Rate:
Get it for: Believe it, whether you are into gospel
music or not, this is a must have album. The best
tracks from this album, both CDs would have to be
on CD 1: I Can, Come Together, Broken Rose, Lifted,
Entertain You and CD 2: I Believe, You Are The One,
Ngairire, So Help me God, Exalted and Handeyi.
Get it for: Because it’s Ice Prince! But the
whole album is worth listening to. Aboki is
an obvious favourite, the groovy, Jambo,
Gimme Dat, Komotion, the hit-I Swear in
collaboration with French Montana and
Person Wey Sabi gets one into a great mood!
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