Kenyan superstar Afro-pop quartet of Polycarp Otieno, Savara Mudigi, Willis Chimano and Bien-Aime Baraza drop first album with Universal Music Africa

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