2face Idibia's Ascension album reviewed by former TV
personality and host of Nigeria's first ever music video countdown, Emmanuel
Ugolee. Read below...
I was going to take my time and digest "The
Ascension" but then the news that the 2 week (or so) old album had broken
an African billboard record would not let me. I was in a mad hurry to see what
content had pulled that feat.
Just before I took to dissecting, I cautioned myself about:
a) Comparing the album to the prevalent sound of buzzing
music today since I had immense disregard for the yardstick of its acceptance
(melody and lyrics alike) and ...
b) Making comparison with the "face 2 face" album
as every great act gets to deal with the curse of an early great outing in his
career. Micheal Jackson chased "Thriller" with every effort till he
died. He never touched it for many, if not all of us. Seems same for 9ice,
Snoop Doggy Dog, Asa, Bobby Brown, Majek Fasheketc
So the basis for judgment fair and square had to be : How
much of the man we love, could I feel in this album? Did he "fall"
the proverbial hand? Would I find home grown and universal appeal worthy of
Africa's biggest act of this generation? Can I relate to the sense or nonsense
he made? Would I be proud to be a fan when I am done?
Now that my head was clear on the basis for a standard
analysis, it was time to press play on track 1
1) Go ft Machel Montano :
Trying to stay still without rhythmically moving body parts to this song
is sheer punishment. Your classic party jam which I think was a strategically
smart move to appeal to the critical under 25 audience. Typical plot of a girl
in the club pulling all the attention by doing her thing. He also communicated
in a language they know so well eg "blow my mind, way you whine, carry
go". Glad though that he observed the limits, leaving Hennessey, Ferrari
and Versace alone.
Then next to Patoranking, can't wait to hear a Machel
Montano album. Awesome delivery on this track he served. Great blend with
2face. Generally, a good feel good song.
2) #Aproko : I've noticed 2face's music is influenced by
romantic love, governance, human inter-relationships and his personal
experiences. #aproko is a clear mix of the last two.
For years, I have known Dr Sid to be mild tempered but the
only time I've seen the beast in him awaken was because of twitter. Someone had
the nerve to tell a man hurt over his dad's demise to "stop ranting and
give us hits joor". Like Peter Okoye, 2face got the same medium used to
have his family disrespected. Banky's head has had countless trending hash
tags. Can you imagine how that must hurt?
Well the agony is felt in #aproko. Strong words unveil the
disgust 2face feels in his stomach about the trend. Describing the pitiable,
backward, focused, idle state of the cyber bully as unworthy of sleepless nights.
He however urges victims to dust shoulders and ignore them because they are
just words that shouldn't get to them, even when the words kiss their a**es.
Great lesson for all but a celebrities favorite you can bet.
This message is served with a warlike sound from Leriq. Not a song for all but on point with content.
3) Holiday! A second feel good song with a little extra
ginger. David Guetta and Calvin Harris were the names to pop into my head as I
followed the changing drum sequence. The message reminds you of Will Smith's
'Welcome to Miami'. No stress, no work, no worries. Just have fun. This song would effortlessly slide into any
house music DJ's mix. While the clubs @ okoko would gladly skip this song, this
is heaven for the table top dancing, Piccolo Mondo, Caliente going, Ajebur kids
and all their action replicating wannabe's.
My advice sha is to constantly check your account balance as
you swipe your card listening to this song because of its power to inspire flow
of Shayo. A good attempt to cater for house music's loving global fans
4) Can't hear you ft Vector : Turn up sound for the
youngsters. Close your eyes to the beat
and you'll see YMCM and YBNL. Now music that be bumping with today's
hippies. The kind of sound that extends his life span with the Y
generation. Nicely produced.
Lyrically, he was just letting personal stuff off his chest.
I didn't work too hard to connect but I wasn't sure I could say the same for
the average listener because you had to be in his shoes to relate to the pain
of having someone always trying to famz with irrelevant topics even when you
are just trying to have a good time. Sounds like he gets that a lot in the
club. Only money talk would not be bother at that time he says. Vector
flawlessly drove the point home with a memorable rhyme scheme and trademark
clarity only wished he sounded more personal along the line of 2face's
expression. He sounded like the beat was sent to him to voice in a different
studio armed only with the topic.
5) The best I can be ft iceberg slim and Rock steady : This
sound made me want to do two miles an hour in a convertible with everyone who
has ever put me in undue stress without a clue of my personal struggle,
watching me roll. Vintage 2face, still on that "I am not perfect, I can
only be me, I no send you, I no holy pass" tip. He stresses also on his
realness chopping some kpanla aka okporoko and didn't forget to talk about a
failing government. Too many messages for one song if you ask me.
Iceberg slim slayed his verse even though he had a forth
element of flossing added to it. "Do me like masturbation' is not only
unoriginal but tired. Rappers should please leave that line alone. Outside that
one line, Iceberg was remarkable. Rock steady stuck more to the theme but
disappointingly with what was clearly a freestyle verse. If he wrote that, then
he should loose his hypertek jersey. Overall, it was cool
6) Let somebody love you ft Bridget Kelly: 32yrs and above
please. Just skip if you started appreciating music from the Terry G, Limpopo
era. 90's R&B reborn. Wow! It was refreshing and definitely international
stuff right there.
Oh Bridget my dear Bridget. Thank you. All I got to say to
you for the quality of the blessing you put on this track. Voice control and
texture, lyrics, delivery. Thank you. Bridge, I hope they explained to you what
it meant to let somebody. "Take You"? No be to take you out o! If you
let that happen with Innocent, there's only one possible outcome o!
Juorkwaajuju o.
2face didn't fall short at all on all parameters on this
superbly produced sound.
7) Kiss of Life: Ok the lover boy is let loose. Brilliant
writing. The mature audience still having a ball on this track. Kiss of life is
that movie soundtrack that forces you to reach for your partners hand in the
cinema. This song would touch you if
you've ever had difficulty express love to a crush. Great way with words,
lovely mid tempo melody. I loved it
8) Hate what you do to me. My favorite song on the album for
the following reasons. I haven't heard any song so romantically constructed
with such ruthless depth and creativity in the last 10years. Sweet Jesus, this
boy outdid himself this time. Then the hook was of the hook. Simple and Sweet.
Please tell me that was Carlos Santana on those strings that were pushing me to
the brink of sheer madness. No man or woman who has loved an imperfect person
can resist feeling this song. "When you are not here there is peace and
then, dam! I wanna share it (the peace) with you." The irony in this song
is tangible. Heavenly production. Sure winner.
9) Confessions ft Rock steady and DammyKrane : Ok someone
call 2face back to 2014. Now he takes us to the Caribbean’s and Jamaica when
Chaka Dimus and Pliers reigned. The best for me was the hook. Don't think this
was the best song to use to show what Dammy could do. Rock Steady was more at
home here but clearly now needs a ghost writer. His strength is with his
awesome voice and melodic delivery.
I enjoyed the memory lane jogg and I am sure many would.
10) Close to where you are: I would have made this a bonus
track. Not very striking with the cords of interest it hits. He is however
outstanding with the use of words to paint a picture. "Its like no tracks
under a train" he goes. Guess 2face has finally settled the issues about
his writing contributions to plantation boys. Outside that, the song was just
there
11) International loving ftAlmarcha : Clearly for the east
African market and the francophone countries but might favorably compete with
the dim dimgbamgbam sound in Naija. Personally this was the only song I didn't
give a second listen to for the sake of its alien feel to my ears but I am sure
lovers of French creole would think me mad. Almarcha rode the beat pretty well.
Track 12 (BouleyBouleyftShurwayme) and Track 13 (Diaspora
Woman ftFallyIpupa) I would gladly put in the same basket as 11 with the non
Nigerian appeal but its got proper production for whom it may concern. Sorry,
we gotta deal with it, he is no longer a local star. His market demands this
and I am proud of how at home he is with the music. Fally on point as usual
Track 14) JeJe : Ehen, where ma shrine regulars at? Super
Afro beat undying sound. This had to be Egypt 80.
Are they still making that movie on Fela? Somebody give them
a chance to have the coolest non Fela soundtrack. Diverse dude, this 2face guy.
Appropriately, spat all the way in pidginEnglish. The harmonies were rendered
by true professionals; they sank and got mixed perfectly with the instruments.
As regards the content? 2face again reminding us how much better it is to do
your thing and let others do theirs. Maintain your lane jeje.Jeje did it for
me.
15) LessePasseft Sir Victor Uwaifo. Ok under 38years of age,
please sit down abeg. This one is stuck with the brand of highlife around in
the 70's. The funk and groove that tries to make it escape to our new era of
high life were arrested by the masterfully played guitar of Sir Uwaifo. You
just had to remember the music of yesteryears. While popsie may wave his head
to Wizboy, this would awaken his spirit.
16) Ife Dinmaft Tony One week. Jolly party jam that did Tony
more good. Proof that he still in form. For 2baba, don't think the impact would
be as strong outside the East and South/South of Nigeria. And yea! A song you
can "shokie" to. The upbeat tempo and attempt to cut the vocal cord
would require full party mode to enjoy.
17) Not a surprise: An extended skit designed to remind us
that 2baba's core constituency is reggea, ragga, dance hall and all. Feels like
that "let's jubilate" filler. "The Album is done." This is
no sarcasm. The song is actually 2mins 38sec long so....
In general, with the Ascension, I was impressed by the fact
that he retained his identity. “There are still 7thousand that didn't bow down
to Baal”. Thank you 2face for not jumping on the band wagon with the urge to
make sales by going with thetimes. Thank you for making content a primary point
of focus in making this album. Thank you for exploiting the power of music
beyond pleasure for a few months after which comes the irreversible glide to
oblivion. No wonder at below 40, you are almost 20years old in a business where
many have lasted for 8months
Great attempt to have something for everybody but beware of
the Jack of all trades.
With no fear or favor I would give the Ascension 3 and a
half stars of 5.XXXx
