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.

Sizable Reflections

Dear blog,

Over the past couple of weeks I began to notice a trend of events every time I walked under a tree;beautiful yellow-brownish leaves would  start to fall over my head and as much as I loved it I realised it was more than winter setting in. It was a sign of awareness to me.

 

So I'm glad I'm putting pen to paper ( or in this instance pinkies to buttons :-) ) and writing (typing) this (my heart) out.

I just realised how for the past 3 or so years I have denied myself time to reflect and dream. I used to spend so much of my time (throughout my high school career) dreaming and mediating on those dreams. I remember days when I would get blushingly excited at the thought of spending time with myself and literally lying down on my bed dreaming about where I wanted to be, every detail of my (future) life (a life of purpose). Cutting up pictures and writing on the wall what would become my "vision board". And I witnessed as bit by bit every part became a reality. It gave me a sense a consciousness.  I'd say I felt much more oriented. Looking forward to something. I dare say that it appears that the more I dreamed the more I was able to walk in (well most of) my dreams.

I remember once giving a speech on how "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their own dreams". And here I am. I guess sometimes the teacher is the biggest (and best) learner. The advises we gave (give) were (are) not for the hearers only but for ourselves too.

I'll admit that the future is a product of many influences but a dream is the seed (and secret ingredient) of every product. How else would we know to be bigger and better than we ever imagined unless we dreamed about it? Every dream has the innate ability to fulfil its telos (it's purpose for being).

So I'm glad to have the opportunity to lay in my bed in the presence of the Lord renewing my mind by meditating on the purposes of His call on my life and reflecting on His goodness. Every great started out dreaming.

Love: A new spice, a new aroma.

I remember the first time I met You

I fell in love.

It's true what they say:

 "He'll sweep you off your feet".

You won me over at the blink of an eye.

I don't know why, but I wanted You. 

You were more than just a want,

 I had a rush of excitement thinking about You.

I needed You!

 

Suddenly like the rushing of the wind You became the Captain of my thoughts.

 "The apple of my eye".

 My muse!

  My all!

 

 I took You to the ends of the earth,

 I spread You like the sands of the seas.

 You were my all!

 I lost sight of me.

 You became me.

 More so I became You.

 The fibre of my being.

The love of my life.

You made me love.

Love became me.

Like the stars of the night blue sky I healed broken hearts.

The Light of the world!

You set me up on high

Made me shine

The delight of all men.

The fruit of Your affection.

 

Then came trouble

Fast fell I.

Caught up in its face.

The higher calling far from mind

Yet You kept  loving and kept hoping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your love came rushing

Reminded me of Itself

Enlightened me of Its existence.

Quenched every sense of guilt

On high it lifted me

Never disqualified

Ever qualified by It.

This great Love.

 

A shield,

A place,

A residency.

All this and more

are You great Love.