[Disclaimer: Written only as a spoilt-for-choice listener.]
"(Bam bam, bam bam bam bam) Katikia Yesu
[Eroh!]
(Bam bam, bam bam bam bam) Mi nikimu-sigino, hawezi igino, we..."
You know him from the club-banger "Mmh baba" (Surprised? Why? We'll have this gospel-music-in-clubs argument another day.) And now, teaming up with one Mutua, "Eroh!" is back.
So out of a possible 5:
Content: 4.1
"Machozi yangu ali-dilute / Shida zangu kubwa kazifanya minute
Wanauliza mbona mi nam-salute / Ma-youth, kilio changu alifinyanga mute..."
Thus far, I can confidently say Kris does one thing most artistes often neglect: Proof-reading. Each line flows well into the next, with a clear message in the overall individual verse being built out of them. It's not simply a "Look! I have this really cool rhyme/punchline that I HAVE to have in this track!" matter.
"I love Jesus / Coz he gave me a missus / Behold, my [rented] Lexus..."
Nope. Nothing of the sort.
Content approved.
Style/Delivery: 4.2
Hand it to the chap: He's distinct. Very. In a market flooded with Naija-impersonators (of whom you can barely differentiate this one from the next-oh), listen to this one. He emplys an unapologetically Kenyan accent - adding the delightful "Eroh!" ever so often, as well as that unmistakable whistle that I'm sure Rongai residents are most familiar with.
(What? You really didn't see that coming?)
Including this Mutua only makes the track that much stronger, seeing how he plays around with onomatopœic additions to spice up his verse. (1.40 - 1.43)
A clear win on style and delivery.
Production: 4.0
"Carena Sounds outdid themselves on this one!" would be an oversell. But "Katikia Yesu" is indeed one of the better tracks that we've heard lately. The vocals sound good in the way they sit on the bed. Also, the "climax" takes a bit of a pleasantly unexpected twist in what I'll choose to think of a moment taken to simply show off what they have on the other side of the glass in the production booth. (2.30)
Carena Sounds didn't outdo themselves, but they did do good.
Video: 4.2
Choice of location was simply brilliant - nothing to distract you from the energy on display, with even less to take away from the lyrical content. Seems to have been shot on one location, but it's a thought that doesn't take away anything from the entire showcase; if anything, makes it all the more impressive.
It seems you can hardly go wrong with Washamba Unlimited, and this here video illustrates that. Nothing more can be said here.
(What's that? More of Washamba Unlimited's work? On their Facebook page. Right here.)
Overall: 4.0
"What? 4.0? How?"
No, it's not an average of the above aspects. It's in spite of the above. That said, "Katikia Yesu" is a feel-good track that cuts across the board: My little cousin Akinyi (She's 2) was doing that cute little-girl prance as this song played at home, and I saw her dad Baba Akinyi (He's approaching retirement - don't ask how) also rocking to it.
Good job Kris.
Yours,
Olang'.
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