Review: Joyous Celebration 17

From the first time I listened to a Joyous Celebration album in 2006 ( the Joyous 10th anniversary album) when my step-dad mistakenly bought a pirated copy thinking it was an action movie I knew I was hooked. At the time of course I was not even born-again and little did I know that this very "mistake" would be of significant influence in my Christian walk.

Now, 17 years later (7 since I first listened) , the multi-award winning Joyous Celebration is still going strong having recently released their 17th album: Grateful live at Rhema Church. Who can deny the impact that JC has had on many lives by  bringing a people of many cultures and languages together through one common language, the language of love: music.

Joyous Celebration has also been at the forefront of raising great gospel artists in South Africa , the likes of: Keke, Ntokozo Mbambo, Dominion and many more.

And now for the review...

Joyous Celebration 17 is a very "musically" strong album with a traditional South African feel to it. The choir look exquisite in the African-inspired attire in disk 1 and their more formal-wear on disk 2. Not only do they have a different (new) sound on this album but I also noticed some new (unfamiliar faces). The album fuses a variety of South-African inspired genres within Gospel, from your "tent church" sound to the more "traditional church" sound, even a bit of mskandi and some upbeat songs. This album showcases the vocal versatility of the choir.

If like me you've been a great JC fan and have over the years grown fond of some leads well you'll be thoroughly disappointed to hear that  the likes of Tebello Sukwini and Zodwa Mahlangu have left the choir. Also Nqubeko Mbatha has moved on from his role as musical director. As skeptical as I was about this album, I was very impressed. The old saying is true: change is good and the anointing of the Lord remains.

What I really love about this album is that finally I had the opportunity to hear the voices of those choir members who had not often led.

 NthabySang (you might know her from JC 16 as the lady who lead "Mopholosi Morwa Modimo") leads a beautiful song called the "Prayer". It is such a new sound for JC! The song is themed around the life changing prayer of salvation.

Also new on this album is Given Mabena (a famous dancer and opera singer with the group: Afro Tenors) who does a moving classical rendition of " Intando emnandi" with violin in background. By far one of my favourite songs on the album!

Though many songs like "umbhedesho", "uyangihola" and "lona ba ratang" may be widely know amongst South Africans, the rendition on  this album makes them sound so fresh. You'd even think you have never heard them before.

I was also impressed to discover a new talent on the album, the beautiful Hlengiwe Ntombela oozes energy and talent. Her song "Mthunzi wami" will remind you of the opening tracks from the JC 16 album. So beautiful!

And for all the Tsonga-song fans you'll love "Xikwembu xayina".

Disk 1 has 19 great songs.

Disk 2 features household names like the 2012 Idols-South Africa winner: Khaya Mthethwa and music power-house: Nobathembu Mabeka.

I was a so happy to see Buhle Thela leading a Tswana song (and dancing). On this album she leads"ke ngwana hao" and communicates each word so well.

Dudu Tsobane was  my highlight on disk 2 as she led "Mthembe njalo", a song about the dependency of the Word of God.  Simply beautiful!

Surely the Lord is good and is doing great things through Joyous Celebration. I hope this review inspires you to go get yourself a copy. The DVD was only R 139.99 at Musica.

*Most of their songs are evangelical.