Safari - A Dawn of New Inspiration

There are many great things about this lovely country, the Great Rift Valley, The Great Masai Culture, The Great Migration in the Mara just to name but a few and not forgetting the Great Safari album by Adawnage. The album hit stores around two months ago meaning it’s hot off the oven. You might have had of ‘Uwezo’ their first joint that has really hit and calling it a ‘nice song’ would be a bit of understatement and believe me when I tell you there are many other Great tracks in that album.

If the album isn’t in your possession kindly make your way down to Kasangas Music Store and ask the smiling gentleman behind the counter to give you a copy of the album ‘Safari’ for a small consideration of Kshs 500.00 only then run home and enjoy the Great music that is Kenyan gospel. If you are reading this and you are in the Diaspora (out of Nairobi) you can visit their website www.adawnage.com and you can get the music online.

Adawnage is a band of 13 born-again guys that derive their name from ’A Dawn Age’. The band came together in 2008 and began their musical journey to spread the good news. There are seven guys on vocals and six on instruments. Their music is all about Christ and His good works and we glorify His name in all this. You can get more information on the band from their website.

 I have said earlier that the strongest point of any musician is simplicity and substance and that’s why I love the album, ‘Safari’ (Journey) is all about their journey in this world as they strive to get to heaven to receive their crowns. The music is easy to grasp and relate with.

When I was getting the album I thought that they had killed it with ‘Uwezo’ until I got to listen to ‘Naomba’ … man all I can say is Amen. It’s a prayer that the Lord hides and uses us for His works and purpose. That is my prayer for all of us that the Lord uses us in whichever sector we are in life for the glory of His works that His Name may be lifted high in all nations. “Nina omba, Baba mikono nimeinua, nishike Baba unifiche mikononi mwako, nioneshe Baba wema wako, unifanye chombo chako … nina omba. Baba mimi na omba” 

The style of music is a cross breed of soft rock and Afro fusion making their music just a delight to listen to. The album has ten tracks and this being their first album I have to say Adawnage have out done themselves. You can tell from their live performances that they have worked hard and this is not a case of overnight success. This would be a great album to listen to if you would want to venture into the world of music.

The band has also released two videos to the songs ‘Uwezo’ and ‘Safari’, the ‘Uwezo’ is receiving massive airplay and you can be sure to catch it when you watch any of the Sunday morning Gospel shows on KTN - Tukuza, Citizen TV - Kubamba and NTV – Crossover or you also can get it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWod1gJvY0M.

It is our hope and desire that Adawnage keep producing positive music and we keep them in our prayers. Keep Adawnage in music by buying original music, don’t pirate music man not only does it kill the music we have come to love but it’s also a crime punishable by law. Go down to Kasanga or any other store we have highlighted in this blog and let’s make Kenya a better country where our musicians can actually live of their album sales as we continue receiving blessings from our Lord.

You can always drop me an email on kenyangospeljunction@gmail.com and tell me your thoughts and comments and which album you’d want reviewed. 

Keep it real …Keep it Local Gospel

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Izzo - Pressin On

If you have met Izzo or have seen his videos you get to notice the Fro which really stands out which was the first thing I noticed when I sat next to him in a matatu, thank God for public transport. Nice chap we got talking and by then I didn’t even know I would start blogging. What stood out for me was the spiritual sense in our conversation. It’ s always a delight when you are conversing and the Lord is brought out, by the end of the trip I got to get his new compilation of the jams that he has done.

The compilation is entitled ‘Press On’ his new track which he has tag teamed with Holy Dave. The mini album (I believe it will have more tracks by the time he’s launching it) has six traks most of which you will have heard from TV and Radio. It includes jams like the monster remix ‘Sunday Christian’ that really brought him to the limelight which features the likes of Mr. T, Hey-Z, Eko Dydda, Xpo, Kamlesh; of course the jam ‘Press On’ which is the first track and ‘Rooftop’ the crazy jam that has been done by Mr. Lee, Shem(Wernono Family), Izzo and Key – Z.

Izzo is true hip hop head and that’s what his music is all about hip hop but you’ll find true spiritual inspiration which should be epicentre for all gospel music take the jam Sunday Christian for instance, it encourages us to be 24-7 Christians not just on Sunday when we go to church. Press On talks of press on even when times are hard, “I Press On, I Fight On, I Pray On … and I will always be a winner”

From the compilation the most outstanding track is Sunday Christian Remix, I believe it has a true touch of genius in it, from the beats to the arrangement of the various artists who have different rapping styles it’s a true head banger with the spiritual fulfilment that brings out the richness that we have locally. I also really enjoyed the track ‘You’ll Pay’ (not sure about the title) which is a bit slow hip hop and really inspirational.

The compilation is going for Kshs 150 and as usual you can email me on kenyangospeljunction @gmail.com and I will surely hook you up. You can also get his jams on kenyadownload.com. The most outstanding thing about Izzo is that for him it’s more of ministry than just music, more about getting more people to know about Christ by using his music as a means and not an end. He says that all his tracks are spiritually inspired which is evident from the lyrics. He also has a compilation of the videos that he has done which includes ‘Press On’ and ‘Rooftop’ which goes for Kshs 100 meaning with Kshs 250 you get all his jams and videos that is truly a bargain and you really get your money’s worth.

Check out the review and video for the jam ‘Press On’ from Mwafikia.com the link is http://www.mwafrika.com/content/view/2095/62/ and for the jam ‘Sunday Christian’ check it out on YouTube the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7qoXwKm-ZI. Check out ‘ Rooftop’ on YouTube the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RwUG6gTdLk.   

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Sina Substitute - Timeless Music At Its Best

It’s with great pleasure that I write about the album ‘Sina Substitute’ thank you may take your seats (am assuming you stood to clap). The group Shtuko dropped this album in the year 2007 and up to now I have only heard a few albums that can match up to this great work of the Spirit. I remember I only bought it because of the Jam ‘Sifa’ an amazing praise song that had a Congolese feel that made me make it a must have, yes am listening to it now, truly truly truly spiritual music. When I got the album I had only had three tracks but little did I know that what laid inside was a Trojan horse of inspirational spiritual fulfilled hip hop.

Shtuko are a rap group that compises of three guys (Johny, Jamo and Davi I don’t have their full names will get them and enlighten you) their most popular song was ‘Sina Substitute’ which still receives airplay till now. Like our national anthem most of Shtuko’s songs seem to be prayers and deep prayers which makes their music something special, something you treasure. I know most people will find it weird when you talk of worship and hip hop in the same sentence but Shtuko did it they brought worship to hip hop, slow soothing holy hip  hop. This is an album that should be at the top of your albums set. The ones you freak out when your kids touch.

If you have the album please play it as you read this. The album is simple and all the tracks talk about Christ and His love for us, true Gospel music. If you are an upcoming gospel musician I would urge you to get this album to give a guide on what timeless music is all about. I believe if you make the message of your songs to just talk about Christ and nothing but Christ and His wonderful works you have all you need.

I haven’t had the chance to meet any member of the group so I can’t really tell you about what inspired them but I will keep my ear on the ground in case of anything.  The most outstanding track for me was ‘Niongoze’ it’s a prayer that the Lord would lead lead us, “Niongoze Baba we… Me sibaki bila we” The song poses a question from Matt 25:31 imagine if you got to heaven and the Lord looks at you and tells you He doesn’t know you and tells you to leave His presence. Such is the depth of their music which really inspires me to join in the works that we have been called to.

As of right now I am not aware of the availability of the album in stores but as usual you can always drop me an email on kenyangospeljunction@gmail.com  and for sure I will look for it and advice. You can find their music online at http://www.reverbnation.com/shtuko.  I love local gospel music because I believe before we can reach our neighbouring countries we need to first exhaust all the 33 million Kenyans and ensure that they are all believers. Local music helps reach this 33 million Kenyans and its impact is being felt as Gospel music has become the most popular music in Kenya (I believe) which is truly a blessing and an inspiration.

I thank the Lord for groups like Shtuko that really bring the gospel to the masses. Show  your support by buying original music from store like Kasangas, Sound Africa, Wickstar and Keswick and let’s help musicians grow as they help us grow.  

Mzee Wa Kazi - A true Kenyan Inspiration

After about a year of waiting I finally lay my hands on the Voices United Choir new album Mzee wa Kazi, as anticipated the album was a keeper, one that I would gladly hang on my wall because it's truly a work of art. 

The album goes for Kshs 500 and will very soon be available at Kasangas music store and online through their website vuc.co.ke. The album has eleven tracks. It has a mixture of Afro Fusion, Neo soul with a jazzy touch. Most of the songs are slow in tempo giving you the worship feel. I have to say VUC have outdone themselves. The most impressive thing about VUC is the simplicity of their songs, it straight unto the point which is present in all their albums making their music easy to remember. You can listen to the album and by the second time you can sing along to some of the songs (if not all).

The first track is called 'Njoo' and believe you me when I tell you this jam is off the chains and hooks and all other things it can be off, simple sweet worship songs that truly brings out the groups best works to their Lord and to their fans. I won't lie worship has never sounded so sweet and yes am listening to it as I write this blog. A true work of art. It's times like this am proud to be saved and Kenyan.

If you are into worship songs and the album Lamo (we will review it very soon) lifted you up high kindly get this album. If you want it and can’t find it anywhere just drop me an email at massn2006@gmail.com and I will be sure to hook you up. Our prayer is that VUC keep doing what they do best, create awesome jams.

I talked to a member of the choir and he explained that they have been doing a lot of ministry work in this 

year which has been away from the limelight.  He also explained to me briefly about the group that comprises of 25 guys and yes that was my first question does he know them all because twenty five is quite a large number but I believe the Lord has glued them together and better still you can see His inspiration through their music. You can visit their website vuc.co.ke where you can get in depth information about the choir and any new project. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

We are truly looking forward to their next album of which am sure will be awesome if the focus is as has always been for them in the past, worshiping the Lord, because they keep getting better and better.