2face Idibia's Ascension album reviewed by former TV personality and host of Nigeria's first ever music video countdown, Emmanuel Ugolee. Read below...
I was going
to take my time and digest "The Ascension" but then the news that the
2 week (or so) old album had broken an African billboard record would not let
me. I was in a mad hurry to see what content had pulled that feat.
Just before
I took to dissecting, I cautioned myself about:
a) Comparing the album to the prevalent sound of buzzing music today
since I had immense disregard for the yardstick of its acceptance (melody and
lyrics alike) and ...
b) Making comparison with the "face 2 face" album as every
great act gets to deal with the curse of an early great outing in his career.
Micheal Jackson chased "Thriller" with every effort till he died. He
never touched it for many, if not all of us. Seems same for 9ice, Snoop Doggy
Dog, Asa, Bobby Brown, MajekFasheketc
So the basis
for judgment fair and square had to be : How much of the man we love, could i
feel in this album? Did he "fall" the proverbial hand? Would I find
home grown and universal appeal worthy of Africa's biggest act of this generation?
Can I relate to the sense or nonsense he made? Would I be proud to be a fan
when I am done?
Now that my
head was clear on the basis for a standard analysis, it was time to press play
on track 1