I thought
of different ways to write about this album, and the best thing I came up with
was to write based on how I felt after listening to Merchants, Dealers &
Slaves. But before I go into that, let me warn you that if you are into
“pangolo” music, you know – noise, sounds made by someone who sold their soul
to Lucifer and now has to avoid his nightly phone calls begging for a refund, don’t
read this review. Just exit this page now.
Music
should make you feel, charge your emotions listening – reinforce or change
them, you realized you’re not in the same mood you were when you started
listening to it, which means the goal has been achieved. It’s almost like a
spiritual experience. I think I had stars in my eyes the first time I listened.
That was what Merchants, Dealers & Slaves did to me.
I wasn’t
going to really talk about individual tracks, and all the tracks on this album
are great, but some notable mentions are – Track
1 – Truthfully, which is romantic, and Brymo’s vocals leads the sensuality
that the lyrics require. Track 2 – Money is the best song on
this album. I said that because it happens to be my favorite on the album. If
you’re a big fan of instrumentals like I am, you will appreciate this one. Track 3 – Dear Titilope ushers in one
of the biggest hits on the album, which is Track
4 – Eko. Track 2 and 3 made me understand why a fan said this album
reminded him a lot of Fela. You know
there is no Afrobeat without jazz, funk, highlife and vocals blended with
percussion. Brymo gave us all of that and more on this album. I bet Fela is
smiling at him right now. We all know how great Fela is, and for an artist in
this century to be compared to a legend, is a pretty big deal. Track 5 – Grand Pa is a track that
talks about his Grand father and his non-chalant way of living and now he is
running out of timer because he is getting older. Another track that I really
love is Track 10 – Se Bo’ Timo. The
“street” translation for that is “Do You.” The message that this song passes along
is for us to know who we are, who our true friends are. So, don’t be fooled
because no matter how perfect you think you are, whoever will praise you, will.
The ones, who will criticize you, will. Even when you fall, you are all you’ve
got, so get back up and keep on moving. Life is not that hard when you’re clear
about your purpose and your priorities. And that’s just to name a few. This is
not an album you listen to and skip tracks.
From what I
read online, this is actually his third album. I didn’t even know he had an
album before “Son of a Kapenta”, his second album, which was a pretty decent
album but it didn’t get the publicity that it deserved. I’m not sure why he
left Chocolate City, and a lot of us even felt like he didn’t reach his full
potential while he was under that label, but now Brymo has chosen the perfect
time to spread his wings. There’s much more to him than an excellent voice. This
album is worthy of the praises it’s likely to receive, and has been receiving.
Brymo has found it within himself to make music that’s genuinely beautiful,
classic and progressive. I don’t think anyone has ever doubted him as an artist,
I haven’t, but now it is even more obvious that Brymo is an artist with quite a
bit to say.
Overall, I rated this album a 10/10. So, as you listen
to Merchants, Dealers and Slaves, close your eyes and float along because it is
bound to take you to that place of eternity. There are albums that are
ultimately just nice and safe, and we also have albums that will make you look
up and say “Damn! That was freaking amazing!” Merchants, Dealers & Slaves
is one of those albums.
Get Merchants, Dealers & Slaves here.
