MY FAVOURITE HOUSE MUSIC ALBUMS 2013/2014

1. Heavy K – Respect the Drum-Boss

There’s no doubt in my mind that this album deserves the first spot on my list. It’s the most brilliant house album that I have ever bumped to. Heavy-K is the acoustic son of music and he marvellously fuses acoustic African elements with deep bass soothing beats that create irresistible dance jams. Released at the end of last year (2013) “Respect the Drum-Boss” is his first solo project and boy did he get it right! From the opening track ‘Wena’ featuring Mpumi and Revolution to the last one ‘Teka Teka’ (the remix) all of them are nothing short of creative genius. Popular tracks to look out for are: ‘Katalina’, ‘Yini’, ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Beautiful War’.

Rating: 4.5/5

2. MiCasa – Su Casa

Ever since this dynamic trio of J-Something (vocalist), Mo-T (trumpeter) and Dr. Duda (pianist) came out with their smashing single ‘These Streets’ which was superseded by their hot freshman album “Micasa Music” they have been on an upward climb with nothing set on bringing them down. “Su Casa” is their sophomore project which leaves up well to its predecessor and does even much better, the fresh melodies and jazz elements incorporated into the album are awesome and J-Something’s angelic voice is just the right tone to wonderfully cook it up into a musical delight. Noteworthy tracks to look out for are: ‘Turn You On’, ‘Feel The Love’ featuring Jimmy Nevis, ‘Voce’, ‘Jika’ and ‘No Greater Love’ which is a heartwarming ballad to the late great Madiba.

Rating: 4/5

3. Cox – Revelation

Now I know that technically this album was released at the end of the year in November of 2012 but for the sake of our music industry and for the sake of house music in Namibia in particular I’ll put it on this list. Anyway the album has made more waves in 2013 than 2012, it’s Cox’s first album and I must admit that I was (and still am) astonished by its quality music. Cox is a talented vocalist and producer who uses deep melodic sounds, tribal rhythms, and enchanting lyrics in his Oshiwambo vernacular to his and us, the listeners, advantage. I’ll give this album the title of Best House Album to come out of the Land of the Brave if I have to, it’s stupendous! If you’re a house music fan than you definitely need this in your collection. Tracks to look out for are: ‘Revelation’, ‘Ndapandula’, ‘Kurunyandi’, ‘Eternal Words’ featuring Uncle and Respect (Efimaneko). And ow… check out his latest singles ‘Shima Shiwa’ and ‘What You Need’ on SoundCloud.

Rating: 4/5

4. Dj Kent – The Weekent

The first thing that attracts me to this album is the creative name, “The Weekent’ which is a clever combo of his, Dj Kent’s name and the popular time of the week, the weekend. TRhe Album is divided up into three discs namely: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The tracks are smooth and deeply soulful but there’s a touch of dance too. It’s important to note that the album comprises of a few tracks from other Dj’s as well. I bump to this album almost all the time because it relaxes me and places my mental state into the weekend spirit Awesome tracks to check out for are: ‘Sunrise’ featuring Zaki Ibrahim, ‘Maria’ featuring Justin Chalice, ‘Spin My World Around’ featuring The Arrows, ‘Moonlight’  and ‘Fall In love Again’ featuring Relo.

Rating: 3.5/5

5. Oskido – I Believe

Oskido is a legend in the industry, I’ve been bumping to his songs since his ‘Church Grooves’ compilation. This album is testament to his creative genius and it proves that like old wine his talent only gets better with time. “I Believe” enthuses a lot of tribal elements and is hit laden which is something not unusual for his co-music label Kalawa Jazmee which has produced stellar albums the past couple of years. The most popular jams to check for out are:  “Tsa Mandebele’, ‘Teka Teka’, ‘Skippers’, ‘Woza Nana’ featuring Thandiswa Mazwai.

Rating: 3.5/5

6. Mafikizolo – Reunited

The transformation of Mafikizolo is nothing but musical delight. The duo have been making wonderful music together for quite but seemed to have hit a snag, they also persued solo music careers which yielded respectable rations. The title, ‘Reunited’, for me signifies a lot, the fact that they have regrouped is one and the fact that it can be applied to our love lives is another. But whatever way you look at it its terrific piece of work, they couldn’t have made a better choice but to shake it up with well rounded house music producers. Tracks to look out for are: ‘Khona’, ‘Reunited’ and ‘happiness’.

Rating: 3/5

7. Uhuru – Our Father

Uhuru is the most popular house music group at the moment. Their musical exploits have left many in a sweet state of awe. They have collaborated with the best in the industry and have also prompted our very own Gazza to cook up a collabo with them. ‘Our Father’ is nothing but a hit. Popular tracks to pay an ear to are: ‘Y’tjukutja’, the remake of Bongo Maffin’s hit ‘Thath’Isgubu’, ‘Ketsetse’ featuring Professor and ‘Wahalela’.

Rating: 3/5

8. Araffath – House of Araffath (1^st Mission)

Popular local producer Araffath Muhuure has come a long way since his Eagles Mentality years and now owns a successful music production label (Triple 7 Productions) which has set itself a history of producing nothing but the best music. After helping other artists such as Jericho, Ethnix and Maszanga attain great acclaim with their albums Araffath is now on a mission to make a name of his own, as a house music guru. ‘House of Araffath: 1^st Mission’ is his first house project and has received great recognition from local music lovers. Popular tracks off the album include: ‘Oshiwambo Way’, ‘Bughter Meisie’ featuring S-Man, ‘Mokona Remix’ featuring Exit, ‘Oka Shu Shu’ featuring Dice, ‘African Heritage’ and ‘Omboga ya teka’ featuring Samuele Gotwealth.

Rating: 3/5

9. Liquideep – Welcome Aboard

Liquideep haven’t outdone themselves on this one, though it is nothing close to their first album it’s a stellar work as far as soulful house is concerned. The talented duo are facing stiff competition from rivals MiCasa and this album is no where near to beating them but there are some glimpse of their usual magic within some of their tracks. I just feel that they should have included some variety within their album, maybe a little bit of dance would have been great, love song after love song just messes it up and turns their project into a bunch of lullabies. Songs to look out for however are: ‘Welcome Aboard’, ‘Strangers’, ‘Rise Again’, ‘Waiting’ and ‘If you’re Ready’ featuring Khuli Chana.

Rating: 2.5/5