Damita - Anticipation [Music Review]

Artist: Damita

Album: Anticipation

Label: Tyscot Records

iPod Pick: Won’t Turn Back

Damita is back! And this time she didn’t make us wait long as we did between her debut and sophomore project which was a seven year wait. If you aren’t familiar with the music of Damita, she’s got bold, powered up, ‘independent lady’, kind of style in the likes of Shontelle, Keisha Cole, Tamia, and Beyonce. What I love best about her music is the audacious form with which she sings her lyrics, you have no choice but to turn and find out who’s the lady with pipes behind the mics.

Damita’s new one ‘Anticipation’‘s got determination and making it happen against all odds written all over it. The songs are beaty and anthemic declaring powerful truths and powerful ways God has intervened throughout history. Also, Damita does something new by taking all the way to church on the ‘Choir styled’ ‘Amazing God’ and she does it so well delivering a song that I’m sure would soon be heard sung in the four walls of churches worldwide. ‘Be Revealed’ sounds like something we’ve heard before but gives us a fresh feel of that sweet Latino beat we accustomed to from Damita and her husband Deitrick Haddon.  ‘Don’t Walk Away’ which is obviously a song about a relationship gone awry has that swag ‘hands on hip’ attitude to it, I’m sure the ladies know what I mean.

The intro ambient feel on ‘Anticipation (Waiting 4 U)’ is powerful, I think that’s worth best describe it for such a song with a soft feel but heavy impact. It would soon be a favourite for late nights on your sound/dock station after first listen. On this very song we hear Damita give that ‘free to the wind’ vocals only artists like Aretha Franklin, Crystal Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, and sometimes Brandy bring to the table. It’s a great song. Just for the intro, ‘TTLO (Turn The Lights On)’ is worth the mention.

The sound on ‘I Love You’ would pierce your heart combined with its opening lyrics ‘ Oh God, I choose to worship/ When I feel good and when I’m in pain. And it continues in a steady beat which accentuates and still fall back to base. Somewhere in the middle you would here a dance-hall loop which you would probably hear only in songs crafted by people like David Guetta. It’s creative and beautiful in its entirety. 

I first thought ‘Super She’ro’ was cheesy on seeing the title but on listening, It’s a nice, feel good song you would sure move to on first listen.

I think Damita has finally found a niche musically, this is evident on this new album which is her third album and we don’t see  the wide experimenting of different ‘genres’ as we saw on her (especially) first album and second (‘No Looking Back’). 

No just for fans, ‘Anticipation’ is worth the get. It’s what we’ve been anticipating for the past 4 years. Go Dami! :)

P.S. - By the way, whoever designed the album art, we could have used more colors, portraying better the ‘feel’ of the whole record. :)

[Review Originally Penned  For and Featured Courtesy of TheGospelGuru.com]

Jai - Culture Shock

Artist - Jai
Album - Culture Shock
Label- Outlet Music Group
Street date- August 02, 2011

Album length- 15 tracks: 59 minutes, 10 seconds
Genre- Hip-Hop/ RnB/ Urban
IPod pick- Saviour

Meet Jai though She's been around for a while, featuring on various hip hop artists' songs such as 'Hero' by Trip lee and 'God is Enough' by Lecrae. And now, she's out with her debut titled 'Culture Shock' which is sure to put out some shock waves on the music scene.

The album though upbeat and really hard to be classified into one genre is centred on the greatness and the mighty works of God ( 'I Love You (Human)', 'You Deserve My All', 'I'll Wait', 'Praise Grenade', 'Calling You'). Jai also tackles the subject of being confident in one's own skin on the upbeat 'Reflection' singing 'who am I to say i'm not good enough/ not tryna add colur to the Mona Lisa'. On Saviour we hear beautiful accapella echoes in the style of veteran artist Brandy. You would simply love it! 'Stand Alone' has a beaty african-esque danceable tune in the style of Beyonce's 'Girls' but at a slower pace. It's one of my personal favourites. 'Dancing For You' on which Guvna B features sounds like Beckah Shae meets Kesha, In fact Jai drops a long rap.

Other highlights include the morning sunshine song titled 'Good Day' which is sure to brighten up anyone's day with it's powerful message and energetic beats and 'Calling You' (on which Lecrae features) which is a pure praise song unto God.

I wasn't surprised when I learnt Jai wrote or co-wrote every song on this album and this is why. Fine, it's a hip album with lots of beaty tracks, party-ready is the term. In fact, a friend of mine while I was playing this said playfully 'and the party album of the year goes to Jai's Culture Shock' and I really giggled at that. But beyond the beaty music I hear some deep passion and heart on this album sincerely. The lyrics are deep, reflective and at all times point to a sincere relationship with God.

Truth be told there's no song titled 'Culture Shock' on this album but this album is 'shocking' in every sense. Tired of the same ol' same ol'? Need something fresh, real and at the same time entertaining? Let Jai awaken you with a shock from the deep 'sleep' our culture keeps pulling us into. :)

MARIO BROWN - GLORY

Artist: Mario Brown


Album: The Mario Brown Project: Glory

Record Label: Malak Entertainment

Street Date: August 20, 2010.

Album Length: 14 Tracks. 1 hour, 1 minute, 41 seconds.

Genre: RnB/ Urban/ Hip Hop

IPod Pick: Take Me Away



Lovers of soul classic RnB of the likes of Trey songs, Chris Brown and Brandy are in for a swell time on this one. Mario Brown’s new album is simply packed!

The album starts off with an Acapella tune reminiscent of Brandy’s Acapella (Something’s missing) from her Human album. The opening Acapella (Get to Know Ya) utilizes fine voice strings and studio perfection making it something you might soon be leaving on repeat. The next track ‘Grace’ sounds like something fellow contemporary Christian musician Anthony Evans might place on an album, very nice, bouncy and catchy. ‘Glory’ slows things down a bit, reflecting on a life that is to be lived totally for God. The vocal styling on this track would bring to mind the early days of veteran artist R. Kelly.

‘Take me away’ is just a hit! It’s one you would fall in love with after first listen. ‘I can Live’ is a sweet RnB ballad about how we can’t live our lives without God. You would hear strong lyrics like ‘I’ll surely die without you’ on this one. ‘Losin’ it’ sounds like a tune Justin Timberlake and Maxwell might just come up with if they had a collab but the lyrics are sure real and God centered. Mr Brown’s son Jae’min Brown appears on the beautifully penned ‘A Father’s Love’. A song centered on the relationship between a father and a son. Note this might just bring tears to your eyes before the track fades. And Jae’min has an amazing voice in the likes of Justin Beiber. The Party ready ‘I can do’ comes up next. Other highlights in the album include ‘Revealed’, ‘Don’t Let Me Die’ and ‘Proven’.

I don’t mean Mario Brown doesn’t bring originality to the table by comparing him to contemporaries in the music industry. In fact his sound is very new and fresh. Though the album falls into a couple of familiar pot holes of clichés on some track but never the less, Mario Brown’s new offering is something we could all use especially for those who have searched long and hard for a Christian alternative to the big names on the RnB and Hip Hop scene. Say ‘Hello’ to Mr. Brown’s ‘Glory’, people.

JADE HARRELL - CLASS REJECT

Artist- Jade Harrell
Album- Class Reject
Label- Revolution art
Street date- June 02, 2009.
Album length- 13 tracks. 39.9 Minutes.
Genre- R n B/Hip hop/Dancehall/Rock/Pop
IPod pick- Me and My Radio


The church choir all over the world has been known to produce great vocalist (Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston, Corrine Bailey Rae, Jessica Simpson) that have made an impact on mainstream music over the years. Choir divas are known for something in common, a strong and passionate voice and a high display of their knowledge of music in their work. New comer Jade Harrell, who was ‘hijacked’ after the members of G.R.I.T.S (Coffee and Bonafide) discovered her talent while singing in her home church some years back, doesn’t fail to deliver that and more.
‘I see the world as a big class room’ says 19 years old Jade. ‘and because I am a Christian, as well as a strong advocate for abstinence until marriage, I’m automatically rejected by most of the world. That’s not how the world does it’. One thing that stands this album out are the electrifying beats. Radio ready tracks (‘into the music’ , ‘addicted’, and ‘me and my radio’) would get you on your feet with enough grooves to make you sweat. ‘Beaty’ Worship moments (‘king of my heart’) aren’t left out. The album features rich alto vocalist Ayiesha woods on the Kylie Minogue styled ‘who you are’. You wouldn’t know when you would start your break dance on this track. And finally, the album shocker is the retro styled ‘don’t leave’. Which would make you double check your music player to make sure you haven’t mistakenly switched to a radio station in the 80’s. Jade delivers classic Motown style on this track.
After all ‘class reject’ wouldn’t be rejected by music lovers who are fascinated by good beats and a message that lingers on long after you’ve pressed the stop button. Jade Harrell has come to stay and would be around for a very long time. Be rest assured about that!