Isang's re-mastered album comes out sweet

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Thursday January 22, 2009 00:00

 

But in reality it was a lousy recording with good lyrics. The instrumentals not properly balanced with the vocals creating noise instead of a melody. Unlike many, he was brave enough to swallow his pride and admit that it was not good enough hence its poor sales.

Not much was needed to improve the album any way, only good mastering and it would be okay. 'At first I thought I had done a good job but after a few months of release I realized that the sound was poor. I was advised by those who have been around in this industry and I finally decided that I was going to take it back for mastering,' Isang told Showbiz.

After re-mastering his music sounds a lot better now and if it gets proper marketing it could end the year on a high and push the musician high the popularity stakes. Though it cannot be rated as an 'all-time' hit, the album ha both class and style something lacking in most of artistes.

'When the initial version of this album was not doing well something kept telling me that it had nothing with the way I sang or played the instruments.

I just had a feeling that a technical problem had resulted in the poor sound and I was right since re-mastering and releasing it, I have been able to sell a lot more copies than when I first released in 2007,' he said.

The giant- dark skinned Kgomokasitwa born musician was able to add a new track to the album making it a nine-track collection from the initial eight.

'I have not run ideas which is why I added Nkosi Siyabonga. It has added more value to the album but I believe it was the right thing to just go with the album and just add some improvements,' he said.

The popular track Vuma, which has been done among others the late Brenda Fassie has been revolutionised in Isang's album giving one a piece of mind while at the same time its heavy beat keeps you in high spirits. Watch out for Ezolwini or Heaven. Although he sings it in Zulu one does not need to fully understand the content to follow the tune.

Another Zulu track Nkosi Siyabonga stands out as the best not only because of its message but also because of the lyrical arrangement.

Credit must go to the backing vocalists who did not compete for channels with the lead or the instrumentals, nicely chipping in and out in a scintillating fashion.

Isang produced the album and is also marketing it himself, Interestingly, unlike many gospel musicians who believe that performing at clubs is not right for their careers he does not mind singing for people at Chez Ntemba or Zebras.

'I have performed at Stompie's launch and even joined Franco at some of his shows because I want to take my music to as many people as possible and if I can get a better audience at shows where people are drinking beer then I just have to do it. I also believe that those people deserve to hear a thing or two about God and hopefully they would also join the family of God,' he said.