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Brymo is one of the artists in Nigeria that has differentiated himself with his kind of music. He has a coarse voice that might not necessary have to move through wide ranges on the octave but even at that, his voice stands out and his kind of music is definitely for the more matured minds. It is interesting to note that in a Nigerian music scene flooded with party music and noise making, some people still choose to stick to their kind of slow paced, philosophical master pieces that hold lyrical depth and beautiful acoustics rather than a combination of artificial combination of beats over fruity loops.
We decided to review Brymo's latest album titled "Merchants, Dealers and Slaves". Let me say that this Album is fantastic, but whether the Nigerian market would appreciate this talent is a different case entirely. That being said, this is a music for the world. If well pushed, Brymo can become a true representative of African music to the world. The album does not lack lyrical depth, acoustic simulation…it sure showcases the depth of the mind of this young man. I am excited for him and I am excited for Nigeria.
First up!!
1. Truthfully
One would almost mistaken this song for an appreciation to a higher being because of the way he says the person is his "blueprint" but lo and behold, he mentions "honey." With a "boom, boom, bap" beat, Brymo delivers a fantastic love song, an acoustic rock instrumentation, a subtle use of vocal harmony, acoustic sonority, and intricate melodic phrasing. He introduces the drums right on the bridge which takes the song to another level just before the rock guitar comes in. This track scores 8/10.
2. Down
The strength of this track is in the traditional drums and the philosophical lyrics. You could easily think he was telling an African folktale to a gathering of young people. He addresses the ills of the society talking about "the thief" that everyone know is a thief and the society seems not to bother because the said thief is a main contributor to the economy of the society. He perfectly uses the string ensemble on this track and at this point listening, I was so sure that this songs could not have been produced by "Jesse Jagz" or "Chopstick" of the Chocolate City because this is definitely not in their genre. Click here to listen to Down
3. Eko
Respect to the Afrobeat movement. This is probably the fastest paced song on the album delivered on strictly Afrobeat with a mild rhythmic syncopation. A good dose of acoustic guitar picking', upbeat lyrics and a tone that seems more like an acoustic rhythm piano. He sings about "Eko", the Yoruba name for the state of "Lagos" - the financial capital of the western African nation of Nigeria. He sings about the goodies of the land like it was his lover in the verse, and then mentions a lady he fell in love with in Lagos on the second verse and finally on the last verse, he dumps the lover. This track is probably the one song with a sing along chorus on the album; just keep shouting "Eko". Click here to listen to the song.
4. Everyone gets to die
Then we cross over to reggae. If you still doubt that Brymo is a class act, then you probably do not appreciate good music. Like I said, the album is strictly a master piece for matured minds. With reggae beats and a rock guitar, Brymo lyrically discusses the ills of the Nigerian society again; he mentions the varying situational needs of the poor and the rich but then emphasizes that regardless of this differences "Everyone gets to die." He also talks about the disparity in his own mind when it comes to moral good. Only a few artistes in Nigeria can boast of such lyrical depth; Nosa, Asa…I can count them on my fingers.
5. Money Ft David
A seemingly Afrobeat mash up on this one too. I like the way whoever has been producing for Brymo chooses to experiment not so familiar tunes and instruments. You would almost think the chief instrument again was a rock guitar but it definitely sounds different from what we have heard before. Money is the topic on this track……"do you like to spend money, do you like to dine and party" he screams on this track, he says "if you go into depth because of such spending habits, you will definitely pay". This is a mixed acoustic and electric guitars presentation, folk influences and upbeat lyrics.
6. Cheap Wines
Wow!! I had to listen to this over and over again. So much depth to this song and its like telling a tale with metaphors and irony. He starts by saying "he is high on some cheap alcohol, flowing over the clouds" and then switches to how he is just a normal man seeking a normal life but history and the environment seems to be against him. The drums, the guitar play a major part on this track as it progresses through varying ranges and elevations.
7. Se Bo'timo
9ice has always been the chief propagator of deep thinking Yoruba songs in Nigeria. This track easily places Brymo as his Number one competition. The Acoustic guitar and the rhythm piano help propagate his message of patience and how everyone should ride of the wings of faith (fate) and allow a manifestation of their season. He says the tortoise keeps moving regardless of what the society thinks of it, it keeps moving. (move at your own pace and you will surely get there) A wonderful string ensemble in my opinion.
8. Dear Titilope
A 15 second interlude
9. Merchant, Dealers and Slaves
The title song of the album is deep thinking single versed philosophical track. Its lack of verses makes it hard to determine what his message is on this track. I will ask him when I see him.
10. Grandpa
Afrobeat again, sings about his grand father. I think its a cynical and ironical song about the man. One of the few groovy tracks on the album that you can actually bump your head to or even dance. I'm particularly interested in the producer of this track. The name of the studio was mentioned on the track. A superb mash up of Afrobeats and modern instrumentation, drums, strings and the rhythm piano.
11. Purple jar
With similar instrumentation like we see on most of the tracks on the album, he talks about how he cheated on his lover; she left him and all he is left with are the memories and a purple jar. The purple jar must definitely mean something worthwhile for the relationship between the lover and the loved. The song transcends between strings, wind and keys.
"Merchant, Dealers and Slaves" is a masterpiece that every one should get. The music is one that can be exported outside the shores of Nigeria. With superb video production for some of this tracks, maybe Nigeria would be looking at a Grammy (or maybe I am just overexcited)…all I am saying is that this is GOOD MUSIC.
I am here already thinking about possible remixes and collabos. A duet with Waje on Purple Jar or Truthfully wont be a bad idea at all. Also a rap verse from MI on Grandpa will also sound good.
You can get the album on iTunes.
http://www.infonubia.com/2013/10/album-review-merchants-dealers-and.html This album is not yet out on d street of naija |
truthfully. i'm feeling free. there is something about the way
u luvin
me. u're always here with me i cant believe. and every step i
take u're
watching me. truthfully it took a while to see. i dey carry u
arnd u in
ma
dreams. if it tlk u say i hate u i'm hurting me. today today i
go tell u
how
i feel.
chorus: truthfully, honestly, i no fit to see u, if i no see me. u
be
like ma blue print, there's no plan without you. there
something about
you, truthfully...
verse2: i used to dame, my lyf was no gud. there something
about the way
the world has made. and people they will never understand
u. but i
promise i'm always gonna refine u. *repeat chorus*
verse3: how many tyms, should i tell u, u always on my
mind...i no dey
lie u horney. there aren't no one arnd. u'll be alone here
with
me....#truthfully. *repeat chorus* |
