Sjava wrapped up his 2018 with the release of lengthy second studio album ‘Umqhele’.
The album is packed with 18 heart-soothing tracks, filled with Soulful Afro-pop melodies, upbeat electronic mood mixed with Trap and R&B sound. With Sjava flipping between Zulu and English lyrics, the album preaches a message about love, humanity, culture and real-life issues in everyday life.
After listening to the album for a number of times, we present to your our top picks from the album:
Linda
Linda is a song about patience more than anything. In this song, Sjava preaches how one should stop using all the unfortunate life events as blame for not seeing progress and success. But rather learn to be patient and wait for their turn.
Ungatshis’impepho emsamu, uthethis’abaphansi
Masingakafiki is’khathi sakho
Linda, linda
Linda is another mellow and soulful delivery from Sjava and Ruff (the producer), also pushing a number of jazz elements like the perfectly blended saxophone.
Amagama
Amagama is another beautiful love song, to dedicated to a special one. The song delivers soulful Afro-pop and an R&B groove. In this song, Sjava talks about beauty and how words are not enough and cannot express that.
Amagama’ othando akhona emhlabeni engak’biza ngawo awaneli
The song also gives praise to the late Activist; Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Ngoba absekho ubuhle obunjena. Lokhu ngakgcina ngoWinnie Mandela
Eweni (Mzukulu and Anzo)
Another musical love song! Sjava shows off with Eweni a collaboration with the unfamous; Mzukulu and Anzo. With Eweni, Sjava takes it back to maskandi rejoicing and paying homage to his roots.
Umama
Umama is a special song paying tribute to all the great mothers. The song tells a story of how one can never get old to miss their mother and that homely love. Sjava takes us back to how it is being home, with all the comfort, unconditional love and care you receive.
Sebeth’ indod’ endala kangaka ikhalel’ uMa wayo hhawu bafethu ngeke ni understand
Into engiyithanda ngekhaya , ukuthi ekhaya akungwenwa ngemali (ngemali)
Noma ngingasebenzi uMama ungithanda ngingenani (Ungithanda ngingenalutho)
Noma umhlaba ungang’ shaya uzong’ thulisa athi mntanami ungakhali (ungakhali)
Ujesu (feat. Howard)
On Ujesu, Sjava links up with Howard to deliver a soulful and groovy Afro-pop jam. This is a sing-along love jam with Howard dropping his musical genius. The song also proves how Sjava is diverse with his approach on this album, but more importantly, still sticking to his own style.
Angik’deli
Angik’deli and Intombi Yami are our last picks from the tracklist. The similarity of both songs is the message and giving praise to a special one. For R&B lovers, the two jams will definitely sink.
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