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| Picture taken from Google |
Ami Faku, Imali
Eastern Cape has
always been able to breed a wealth of talented artists especially when it comes
to the music industry so one can say Ami Faku had a lot to live up. I am glad
to report she did exactly that and more. The singer and songwriter made quite
an impression with her single Into Ingawe with Sun EL- Musician which
left the music scene wanting even more from her.
Her debute album
titled, Imali which means money was
worth every cent of what I spent buying the body of work.
Ebhayi, paints
a picture so beautifully why Port Elizabeth is known as the Friendly City. The
songs may bring back some childhood memories for those who grew up in the
region but also doesn’t make those who never been there feel felt out. Without
taking away any credit from Ami or even trying to compare her, this album
reminded me of a young Zarah whose debut album was simply a journal of how life
was and where she sees herself being in the next few years.
The vulnerability
of the body of work will have anyone relate to some of the issues she talks
about especially if you are in your mid-twenties entering your thirties because
that period in life is when many are question where is the trajectory of their
life going. In a way, she is forcing her audience and listeners to deeply look
into their own lives and admit which areas that need some love and forgiveness.
It’s as if she is telling you that yes life happens but everything will be
okay. Simply put, Ami invites us to read every single chapter she has written
in your journal book that he later turned into an amazing musical piece. The album
also questions the moral compass of our society. Are we doing enough within our
communities to make thing better? Thought-provoking!
The production of
the masterpiece was handled by Blaq Diamond, Sun-El Musician, 37MPH Eternal
Africa and Wilson which truly makes sense why the album has a blended elements
of Afropop and African Jazz.
Inde Lendela which
means, This Road is long, perfectly expresses how life can get hard and the
long different road one had to walk into to get where they are. She doesn’t shy
away from how everyone wants to succeed in life, the road can be challenging
but we hold onto faith that tomorrow will bring some positive moments. If one
asked me which song best describes your 2019,Inde Lendela would be my choice. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy
but in the end, the hardships are worth it. One song that reminded me about
some of the lessons or lecturers my mother would tell us growing up is Tshomi
yam, My Friend, My mother would always say "Sanuthanda itshomi" meaning stop loving friends or don't make
friends your priority. Listening to the track I got to laugh at some of the bad
friendships i had plus shared some laughter with my own mother as I immediately
listened to the song with her. I guess black mother are all the same. And what
will an Afropop album be if it did not have a romantic song?! Hopeless
romantics will love Masivume, Let’s
agree, will have you slow dancing with your partner or even sending that text
you have been meaning to send to your ex.
I hope in future she will collaborate with
Samthing Soweto has their both have similar gifts in making the audience be vulnerable
while listening to their music. I would give this album a ten out of ten, not
because we both grew up in PE but for the first time in a long time, I listened
to an album that felt like it was written and produced only for me. Captures
very special and tough life moments that we all experience.
