Maghebula follows Ratshega's footsteps

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Wednesday December 14, 2011 00:00

 

From his time with the group Dija mmogo up to his second album there is much maturity in the 30-year-old's music. With a powerful voice that could have a few ignore him on stage, Maghebula could be the next big thing on the local music scene. Perhaps the musician is right by saying his latest release, a follow-up to his debut as a solo called Setlhako se a lela, would be 'the one for the festive season'.By all accounts it is the kind of album that should have traditional music followers running in circles as it has that piercing effect on anyone who gets to listen to it for the first time. Like Ratshega's Makhirikhiri, the track Mme Motsadi is the real deal in this album. Ironically the two musicians sound a lot more similar though Maghebula denies any connection with the famed borankana star. Yet again, from a distance a listener could be forgiven for concluding that it was Gong Master. Fast forwarding to track number three, Ke jele selo, here again the musician demonstrates a rare vocal ability which is well complemented by an equally rich instrumentation whose lead guitar keeps you closer to your music player.

Produced by Zimbabwean Dr Tawanda, the same man who engineered DJ Selector's house album also only recently released, Maghebula's album contains a remixed track from his previous work. The track Setlhako has been turned into a house remix, something that the musician said was testimony to the talent he and his producer possessed.

'Working with Dr Tawanda made things easier because he is so creative. He was just the kind of producer that I needed to come up with an album that could put me in the spot light,' he said.

Another track that could have a big impact for the rising star is Ngwao, a track raising concerning about the fast disappearing cultural values among various Batswana ethnic groups, hence the mention of most of them in the song. 'In my view, each of these songs provides something different from the other. But since I released the album two weeks ago, I have received mixed reactions about which one would be a chart topper. Some say Mme motsadi, some Gata ka lekeke while others have listed Ke jele selo as their favourite.