Motisha is an album to be celebrated; and that for many reasons. It’s not everyday you’ll pick up an afro-urban record with a distinctly vertical feel. Socio-political commentaries and relational love stories dominate and sometimes lend ambiguity to afro-fusion albums, but Motisha affords the lover of the genre to pop this album into their players and effortlessly enter the Holy of Holies. Choc full of worship ballads and celebratory praise, all draped in urban styles, Motisha’s song-writing is heavily drenched in Psalms-like approach.

Right from the beautiful mid-tempo title track (Motisha), bathed in sweet guitar riffs, it is evident what their motivation is – “Motisha ya maisha ni Yesu” (The drive/motivation of life is Jesus). Ni We is a tenderly soft vertical adoration ballad, beautifully driven by the vocals of Njeri Kihang’a, while Namkimbilia’s chorus could easily be reworked into a congregational worship tune.

The mid-tempo Coming Home, is creatively overlaid on a keyboard-generated Marimba-bed, and is a colourful and passionate retelling of Jesus’ Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Even though their execution is often brilliant, it remains odd that an Afro-fusion record would boast such a prominent spattering of the English language. Child Don’t Falter is one such example, where the centrepiece moves away from Swahili. Still, not to take away from its potency, this encouraging piece could easily be the album’s sleeper track. A must listen for anyone contending with stormy life situations, and struggling with trusting God for the faith to move out, don’t be surprised if the repeat button fades on this one. See lyrics.

Yet even amidst the reflective moments, huge offings of sunny-side-up portions are served. Zidi the Band aptly chose Breathe as their lead single, a clever move that resulted in a number of 2009 Groove Award nominations, including one in the coveted songwriter of the year category. Prepare to get down and dance on Mama Uwe, a groovy ‘Mama Africa’ type jam, encouraging Africans to be proud of their heritage and culture and to “Arise & Shine”.

Altogether authentic, Mwanga kicks off with the warm and beautiful ethnic Rwandese from singer and guitarist Oscar Mucyo. It’s hard not to hear the Psalmist’s influence as the songs author desperately inquires of God and His deliverance in obviously tough times. The encouraging promise? Mwanga (the Sun) will break out soon.

Overall, Zidi The Band’s Motisha is a commendable debut effort. For a fairly large band, they do a great job of deferring lead vocals to their best singers – a humbling yet altogether fruitful move. Special mention also has to be made of the fact that they wrote and produced the whole record themselves. Hats off! Still if there are any weaknesses, and truth be told they are few, it would be that the record really lacks that one or two killer cuts that will grab you by the boot straps and push excitement levels over the top. True, the record is choc full of diamonds in the rough. But it does leave one wondering how an R-Kay or even Ennovator would move this from good to great.

Zidi the Band’s recent award nominations were not accidental. Motisha is definitely worth picking up.

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