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Zahara: Mgodi
R109.99 at the iTunes store.
Rating: 4 stars
Bulelwa Mkutukana, famously known as Zahara, is back with a new album titled Mgodi. So what is Mgodi about? The 12-track album, released on 13 October, has songs ranging from upbeat tracks to those expressing pain, and it went gold in a week.
Featuring the likes of Sivuyile, the majority of the project is arranged to highlight the rawness in her voice, while the lead guitar and drums showcase her Afro-jazz sound.
The album also features award-winning American saxophonist and song writer Kirk Whalum on two tracks called Umfazi and Ina Mvula. Whalum and his saxophone play perfectly into Zahara’s Afro-jazzy aesthetic, while the lyrics lament on matters of heartache and rejoice in the strength of a woman.
Ndiveze, with sounds of violins and other string instruments, complements her wide vocal range, with an “unplugged session” feel to it. The chorus of the song is very catchy, perfect for fan sing-alongs.
Ever accompanied by her acoustic guitar, Zahara sings a great deal about her experiences with spirituality. Her track God In The Valley is arranged like an old Western American gospel, with bluesy piano and guitar melodies.
While the songstress has won many awards, she has had her fair share of bad rep with the press but her new album is set to remind people of how talented she is. The tracks consist of a fusion of genres, set to appeal to all her fans.
Zahara has come a long way from her debut album Loliwe, which was released six years ago. The sounds of Mgodi show that she’s diverse, but remains true to her original country-girl sound.
