BY EMBUKANE LIBOSSO

Nigerian afro-dancehall superstar Patoranking announces his third album, Three, arriving August 28^th via his own Amari Musiq imprint and US-based Indie powerhouse, EMPIRE.

Contemporary and multifaceted, the new album bills from “Odo Bra” with Ghanaian highlife star King Promise to “Whine It” with Kenya’s Sauti Sol.

Without a doubt there’s no shortage of musical diversity on Three. The project delivers a heavyweight slice of conscious reggae on “Lion in the Jungle” while the tender “Matter” sees Patoranking reconnect with Tiwa Savage, with whom he previously teamed on breakout track, “Girlie O.”

“Three is a strong number,” Patoranking says of the album title’s significance. “It stands for how I see language. In making the album, we tried to look at love, life and happiness. If you are listening to any of the tracks, even if it is a dance track, I want you to feel love.”

BY EMBUKANE LIBOSSO

Reviews.
Most writers who submit reviews are always cautious. Any art, book, play or performance you choose to review, you are always under scrutiny since you are dissecting someone else’s art and putting your voice as an authority.

I am a music fan. I enjoy music. I enjoy reviewing events and music festivals. I love music and sometimes writing about music, and not being a musician always ends up getting me in trouble over sentiments I write, that an artist feels was not right. But we always end up talking while at events, and agreeing to disagree. It’s fine because at the end of the day, opinions are personal.

The other day on my Facebook timeline I saw a post that Sauti Sol fans loving and praising the new album, are like Prophet Owuor followers. If you have no idea who the prophet is, let me save you that energy. Prophet Owuor, whose key messages are centred around repentance and holiness, enjoys a cult like following. The person, who shared on Facebook, went ahead to call Sauti Sol’s new album flat, and that those praising it were just cult followers to the band.

When I rocked up the Ngong Racecourse in 2016 to cover their “Live And Die In Afrika album launch” I wrote that they had definitely ‘come of age!’ That night, an 8-man band and a set of dancers, made everything explosive. From their choice of outfits, to the stage props—heck, they even ferried a piano and the actual benches they used to sit on while singing acapella back then at Alliance Francaise. I wish there was no Rona because honestly Midnight Train album deserves a live album party launch.

The intro draws the listener in and takes you back to the Nairobi Railways steaming engine vibrations before Midnight Train kicks off. Just like the train’s onset, it is mid-tempo and samples Toto’s 1982 track “Africa”. There is hope! We will reach our destination.

Insecure is the next track. We all have our baggage and insecurities we carry into the relationship. This song addresses that. The lyrics are metaphorical and sensational.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Brighter Days release was perfect. It features the prolific Soweto Gospel Choir and in all its subtle politeness leaves that hope; brighter days will come!

With Disco Matanga and Rhumba Japani, there is an open invitation to dance and make merry. Rhumba Japani has been on a replay loop ever since I heard it and arguably it is one of my favourites on the album. How they tie in the party vibe to the politics in lyricism is amazing.

India Arie is an artist who has had immense influence on the quartet and to get her on the track My Everything, just shows how much midnight oil was burned. The jam is groovy, slow paced yet has all these blends of romanticism spiced on it.

The music video for Suzanna brings that funky throwback 70s retro perspective. The track explores today’s generation, and what it will do to afford a luxurious lifestyle. Leki Alaba Isama directed the video, and shot in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. It explores that African heritage in sound with the strings and the drums.

Overall, the album is uplifting and energetic. When the train halts, it gives the listener pause to ponder over love, jamboree, insecurities, politics and hope.

1. Tracks:
   Intro
2. Midnight Train
3. Insecure
4. Feel my love
5. Brighter Days ft. Soweto Gospel
6. Nenda Lote
7. Suzanna
8. Set me free (Interlude)
9. My everything (ft. India Arie)
10. Wake up (ft. Mortimer)
11. Sober
12. Rhumba Japani
13. Disco Matanga

BY EMBUKANE LIBOSSO

Let’s delve into a showcase of hip-hop, Afro-beats, trap, Afro-pop and R&B. We also discover a versatile and matured Nyashinski, or Nyash as we used to call him back in the days. A man who proved that a Kenyan rapper could make a comeback after years from the game, and still dominate the airwaves. He reinvented himself as the comeback king.

The title track from the album Lucky You sits at number eight. I went all the way down to start off by listening to it perhaps to get a glimpse of what the album holds. The thing about the song is that he slams anyone who believes he has made it all this way because of luck. It is his open letter to some of his fame struggles. You can mock his struggles, but he proves he has done things differently since his hey days.

Tying back to the first track on the album Greener, Nyashinski addresses the proverbial statement that grass is always greener on the other side. The intro is captivating. He uses the classic style he did with Now You Know, using his voice on a repetitive hook, and lacing the track with his flow. The deeper humming and human beat boxing vibe add flare to the track.

Sweet Aroma is a laid-back track. It is a celebratory song. Like pretty much all rappers, he is aware that not everyone is happy with his comeback, but he still remains G.O.A.T.

With a Latin pop chop, we find Nyash on G.O.A.T where he hails his longevity in the industry. The tempo is perfect for him to toast his rhymes and he is not one to forget his roots, hailing Sauti Sol on the track. Listeners will find the Latin chords springing to mind but will also find his flow not left aside.

Glory is Nyashinski’s raised antennae in tune to the past as well as the present. While the fans and industry alike glorify him, he has his glory fixated on God. The playful song in terms of words and lyricism finds a Nyashinksi who has a grip on consciousness: “Glory si hupea God / Lawama shetani na bangi / We jiconvince unafanya kazi / Mi niko kazi we jali kutrend.”

Traveller is a song that is harsh in a way. How do you tell your lady that she will just be another memory? How do you tell her that despite what she had planned that night, tomorrow you will be gone? Eyebrows raised on this one.

With Time we stumble on a sentimental Nyashinski. He comes out a little motivational but always one to introspect on how well he can maximize his time. Man, who knew Sheng slang can sound so uplifting. This is one for any streets to uplift themselves.

That consciousness extends to his last tracks, Wach, Too Much, Fathela and Flowers. He remains wise, warm but still talking about real issues.

• Lucky You the album just leaves you eager to see where Nyash goes next!

  Tracks:
  Greener
  Sweet Aroma
  Glory
  Traveller
  G.O.A.T
  Time
  Everyday
  Lucky You
  Wach
  Too much
  Fathela
  Flowers