Unathi Msengana’s third studio album ‘with love’ denotes a mature and intimate sound despite the pop
influences in a few of her tracks that offers an evolving Unathi. Her distinct
and unique voice works to her advantage, she stands out as a vocal
artist, and it’s not easy comparing her sound to her peers.
With Love is a “piece of my heart, the colours of my soul”. The album is
a form of personal and cultural expression. As is the norm with Unathi’s
previous albums, the soundtracks are fused with that ghetto-ruff feel to them,
despite the constant local beat virtually present throughout her songs. Unathi
is deeply entrenched in her devotion for her Xhosa tradition, in spite of her
modern sophistication; she is seemingly a woman who is proud of her origin and roots,
manifesting that sentimental and nostalgic sound in her productions.
‘Kwa Nolali’ is the most
popular in the album exhibiting her African pride and joy of being a Xhosa
woman. The song is about a wedding ceremony taking place at a family village as
neighbours and families gather around as a collective in a jovial celebration
uniting two families together. A true affirmation to what she’s dubbed herself
as a “Village girl who found gold”. Her songs are typically mellow and laid
back.
‘Woman’ is where she collaborated with pop singer Tamara Dey and
poet Lebo Mashile which is a tune dedicated to all womankind. It consists of a
pop flavour and strong guitar strings – which added a very different element to
Unathi’s music. Lebo’s poetry retains the locality in the song, which could
have easily transitioned into a pop song.
The album comprises of nine songs; the opening one ‘Majozi’ narrates a
story of a man who went to Johannesburg(Jozi) – in pursuit of wealth to support
his family in the village, only to strike a deal with the devil; he became a
pimp master, sold drugs, which soon dangerously backfired and left him
destitute. She has a constant voice range; there are rarely highs and lows in
her songs. Her voice has been said to resemble that of late singer and struggle
icon Mama Miriam Makeba. Consequently she did a cover version of hers on the
track titled To Those We Love, an
original by Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba; she pays tribute to Lebo
Mathosa, Busi Mhlongo and Brenda Fassie.
‘Kubuhlungu’ is the pinnacle
of this album. She details the narrative of losing a close one and how excruciating
the loss is despite maintaining stoicism. It seemed almost like a trademark on Metro
FM every Sunday afternoons when the late radio personality Eddie Zondi played
it throughout his show virtually every Sundays; therefore it became fitting
that she was personally requested by Eddie Zondi’s wife to sing the mellow,
soulful and laid back track on his memorial service. The song comprises of
strong back-up vocals to complement Msengana’s mellow vocals along with a
pitched jazzy saxophone playing an integral role in the production of the song.
Other artists and producers who feature in the album include the late
Mama Miriam Makeba, producer Sipho Sithole, Metro FM multi-award winner Kabomo Vilakazi
(Unathi’s musical director), Gift Mahlangu, Fikile Luswazi, Malambule and
Tshepo Sekele.
A few tracks in the album expose the romantic side of Unathi, baring her
intimacy and commitment on her marriage to her husband, 5FM breakfast DJ Thomas
Msengana.
Unathi has evolved both musically and vocally. Despite being a die-hard
fan of Unathi and her work ethic, she didn’t do a sterling job on the album, relatively
to her previous album In-honour-
which was nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) in its year of
release. Her sound is becoming too urban and consequently losing that street
savviness and ghetto-ruff feel to it.
With her third studio album under the same record label, Kalawa Jazmee, there’s
no consistency to one sound. She incorporated a different fuse of instruments
which consequently made it urban and slightly pop. As a judge on idols SA– her
position may have possibly although not necessarily may have influenced her
music style. Her lovely personality makes it easier to love her songs.
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