However Gabasiane has improvised them and come up with a masterpiece. The album has been receiving massive airplay on local radio jazz programmes and her music could be mistaken for that of established South African divas.
Songs on the 10-piece album include the title track, which resembles a gospel song. The track is about failed marriage promises and features a woman crying for her man to come back to their family.
Punah’s voice is distinctive in other tracks like “didimala”, “pelo”, “lesa go lela”, “selelo sa malema”, “ga keete”, “lenyalo” and “letlhafula”.
Judging from its maturity, it is clear that she took her time to compile the album. This is not sloppy work where an artiste just rushed into the studio.
Punah said her CD has received positive responses, with jazz lovers offering a lot of support and appreciation.
The album, which she intends to promote country-wide in September, was self-sponsored with the assistance of her producers David “Skizo” Molosi and Gavin Bantom. She pays tribute to the duo, without whom she says the album would not have been a success.
She also credits seasoned guitarist, John Selolwane who added his rhythms to the album. Other artistes who featured on the album include Da Vet, Nnu Ramogotsi and Oral Mokgadi.
“We took a lot of time working on the album as the work was involving and expensive,” she said.
“Punah’s vocal strength has developed over the years and the release of this album marks the epitome of her vocal strength and the ability to make music that does not only appeal to jazz enthusiasts but to all music lovers. With this album, she manages to bridge the age gap and cater for all ages of music lovers,” says a statement from her publicist. Although this is her first jazz album it is not her debut release, as she previously released a gospel album. In 2000, she was voted best gospel artiste during the Botswana Music Awards.
Punah still sings gospel in church, but she prefers jazz. “I feel more comfortable when I sing jazz. This is the genre that inspires me,” she said.
Punah’s dream as far as music is concerned is to bring international award shows like the Kora’s to Botswana.
Punah, who is the daughter of a pastor, started singing at her father’s church. Punah grew up in Gaborone but completed senior secondary school at Swaneng Hill School in Serowe, where her family originates from.
After completing school, she joined Ditholwane Traditional Dance Troupe, but was later recruited by KTM choir. “That’s where I learnt more about singing,” she said.
Punah regards local musician Duncan Senyatso as her idol. Her favourite international artiste is the South African lady of the song, Miriam Makeba.
During her childhood, Punah was influenced by musicians like the late South African songbird, Brenda Fassie. “I used to be very good at imitating Brenda,” she related.
She also listened to South African artistes like Steve Kekana and Johnny Mokhale who sings in vernacular. Local groups Punah has jammed with include Abraxas and Unity band, while she has done back-up vocals for the likes of Socca Moruakgomo and Ndingo Johwa. Punah also backed South African veteran muso Dorothy Masuku during her recent concert in Gaborone.
She has also shared the stage with the mountain kingdom man, Bhudaza Maphefane and South African jazz artistes like Selaelo Selota, Sipho Gumede and Jonas Gwangwa.
However, Punah insists that she is still on a learning path. “I am still learning music. I am curious to know where my talent can take me. Music is where my heart is. Being a musician you need to record to see how far your music can take you,” she said. Punah calls on music lovers to attend festivals featuring local artistes to see how they have improved and show their support. “Once you have attended our festivals, you will never regret it.”
Off stage, Punah describes herself as an outgoing person who can fit in any environment. She enjoys socialising and keeps herself fit by doing physical training.
