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Rating:
Point 1: Zaki Ibrahim's album was released in 2012 and no one talked about it. At least not here. I also discovered it by chance while browsing on Bandcamp.
Point 2: Zaki Ibrahim's album is remarkable.
To give you some points of interest: imagine a crossroads between Sade, Angelique Kidjo, and the flair of a Bjork from the Debut period.
Zaki, South African by birth and Canadian by naturalization, creates an album that stylistically moves across various genres: dance, funk, pop, trip hop, afro beat, soul, all supported by rigorous and never too intrusive writing.
"Every opposite" strings together a deadly sequence of hits that touch on the best female genealogy of the last 30 years, all with enviable vigor and personality. Two are the pillars on which such a risky mix revolves: the voice (warm, versatile, powerful, virtuosic) and Africa. Africa is everywhere in this album. Listen to the opening "Draw the line" where on a very 90s base (the whole album is, in truth) directly from Bristol you immerse yourself in tribal chants and choirs of great charm. Or what about the charming "Go Widdit"? Don't you also see here, beyond the velvet tone, a Buffalo Stance reminiscent of Neneh Cherry?
But the heavyweights are yet to come: "Heartbeat" is her Unfinished business (I actually prefer it in the non-remixed version). "the kids are talking" is pure sub-Saharan mantra. "The Do" is virtuosity in the service of the sun (or the soul?), And finally "something in the water" where African roots emerge in a delightfully brazen manner.
Perhaps this late 90s early '00 matrix won't appeal much to those who are already beyond and let themselves be lulled by the (sterile?) invocations of an FKAtwigs. However, in this album, there's a lot of heart and much talent. I recommend it to you.
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