By Tosyn Bucknor
When I got the call to review 9ice’s third and latest album, I positively froze!
I mean, I am a self-confessed 9ice fan, and would listen to him if all he did was recite the alphabet, and interviewing him was a blessing for me! But how could I review his album when everyone (including myself) was waiting with bated breath to see if it would live up to expectations and meet or surpass the bar set by his second album, ‘Gongo Aso‘
This might be his official third album, but in the eyes of the people, it felt like a second album. His first had become known only after hit, ‘Gongo Aso’ became a national, African, and global hit. The album that followed seemed to answer sceptics who thought he could only make good singles and not a full album. While it took a second, third or fourth listen for it to be fully appreciated, songs like ‘Street Credibility’ (featuring 2Face), ‘Photocopy’ and ‘Party Rider’, plus Ade Ori’, ‘Wedding Day’ and more, eventually earned the album both critical and mass appeal.
But as was done with Craig David, and indeed, everyone with a massive (almost) first album, the question was always, how would the follow-up fare?!
The first thing I noticed about ‘Tradition’ was the album sleeve. It is a picture of 9ice in a suit staring at 9ice in agbada, and there seems to be an answer although I am not sure what the question was! Nevertheless, I am always a fan of pictures like these, and so I popped the CD itself into the player nervously.
As with the second album, this one needed more than one listen. So I listened again, and again. And I realised certain things. The songs on this album fall under three categories. Those that sound like or explore themes off the ‘gon’ album, those that sound like ‘Energy’ or ‘Gbamu Gbamu’, and those that don’t. There is also an exploration of more traditional styles like Fuji and Juju, with a delightful fusion with Nigerian Pop and Hip Hop. The album sleeve had begun to make more sense to me…
One or two tracks on the album are naughty, and if you have never thought of 9ice in that way, prepare to be slightly amused. There are sixteen songs on the album and there might have been one or two tracks that could have been saved for the next album, and some of the songs themselves are a minute or so too long. Having said that, it does what a follow-up album should do- let people know you are still here, you are still relevant, you still have your own sound but are willing to experiment.
We love ‘Energy’, which has an ironic title since it is one of the more laid back songs on the album. We also liked ‘Gbamu Gbamu’ very much, and ‘Respect is (indeed) Reciprocal’. Whenever the Palmwine Drinkers have ‘My People’ translated for them, they will make it their official song! ‘Anytime’ is reminiscent of ‘Street Credibility’ and is a very sweet song (you might want to give 9ice a hug when you’re done), and ‘No be Mistake’ is my best track for thanksgiving! No be mistake say God bless me o!
The collaborations made for interesting listening. The cut with Nneka (‘Show some Love’) had a mini-reggae feel to it, and while it was predictable that 9ice and Asa would do a song based on social commentary, and maybe we would have preferred a surprise there, the song (‘Pete Pete’) is itself, fantastic. They truly knocked that one out of the ball park!
9ice as always, delivers songs laden with proverbs, and there are so many interesting lines and lyrics there, with an incredible flow! He works with the best, including his muse, ID Cabasa, and others like Dr Frabz and Terry G (who finally produced a track for an artiste he couldn’t overshadow!).
Tradition will grow on you, so be patient with it. It is after all, a very 9ice album!
16 comments
Tosyn, i hail. very good writing, though i think you are a bit patronising. i've heard some of the songs, didnt get the kind of feeling ur review described. will listen again and pop in. Need to say again, you write like a writer.
correct email add is sirolatunji@yahoo.co.uk. soor about the mistake.
tight song .broda man.all da way from ghana ………u dey pull anything 9ce . o lenu alapo meji,alapo plenty.carry on joo.ko sori won be rara men .killuminary.soso
Woaw!!! i'm screaming here…well i am trying to, hopefully the neighbours don't call the cops on me
I love 9ice a lot, bought the second album twice and i won't lend anyone. can't wait to get the album tho if you say its a must have then i must have it too…
@samuel olatunji …tosyn's a writer ;-)!
The album is cool. Its sure worth more dn 1 listen. Good write up 4 a good album. 'Bo kini yen' is lyk 'pamurogo'. Energy + gbamu gbamu…cool songs.
ok this is what i call a good nd God fearing review on a fantastic website!!! keep doing what y'all on this site do nd don't hate like some websites do(notjustok.com)……i like all d songs on this album apart from 2 tracks that m still yet to relate with……but overall, this is a good album!!!!
Haven't listened to the album yet except the PetePete collabo with Asa – never knew they could so well blend. Nice review Tosyn.
Tru talk of not just oj, I like ur comments. God fearin,u say! Tosyn u is the bomb. This review is very okay,av lkistened to the album too,n to me its ok. Am stil bitter bout whoever did the bankyW review , and I hear the person is managin an artiste whose album is crap too. Wen reviewin an album we shud be God fearin n rational. God bles u Tosyn
I've always been a fan of 9ice becos of his unique style and delivery have'nt really gone over all of the new album yet so thanks for the review – however of the tracks I've heard so far also liked the cut with Nneka and "Pete Pete".
Thanks Toyin for your review may we all have a blessed new year and a better 2010
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its just ok. nofin special. plus asa really swallowd him up on d pete pete song. lets nt patronize… d cd is ok. notin special
It lovely and he should improve more than expected….
olas, u have been paid by Banky W
the funny thing is that i also love this album, respect is reciprocal is the song i am blasting in my car since xmas day. 9ice, thank you for this present
This album reminds me of King Sunny Ade. Gbamu Gbamu and other songs depicit KSA, but the street credibility is not as strong as that of Gongo Aso
nice analysis tosin,
9ice’s album is good overall.not many people were expecting a tighter album than gongo aso.9ice in his heart of hearts knows its gonna take a real stroke of luck to dish out another album of that magnitude.
conclusively,its not true that terry g overshadows people on thier songs.its just a thing of the mind with listeners that terry g sings better than the real owner of the song.
the moment listeners start listening to the song & get the message & stop focusing on musicians. the better.
Nice write up dude, I love d album and it’s really nice having someone like 9ice in this industry kudos 9ice.. You talking about producers of the album and you did not mention cheepho that’s bad brother, that guy really tried on 9ice album I must say and I think 9ice should work with that guy again and please 9ice try and settle what ever differences you have with that dude, I don’t know if you guys have issues but please settle with him..am your fan to the bone..God bless 9ice