Album Review: Kefee - Chorus Leader

Kefee’s Gospel Is Sapele Made

Kefee flaunts her Sapele roots on her new LP- Chorus Leader. But that’s not all she showcases as she exhibits her traditional gospel music roots on her latest body of work. Chorus Leader is a short album consisting of 7 tracks if you neglect the intro, outro, skits and different mixes. 

Chorus Leader despite its short running time takes on you on a journey of gospel music Niger-Delta style. ‘Praise Medley’ is a Sapele style of praise music. ‘Time to praise the Lord in that Niger Delta way’ announces Kefee as she starts to sing. She incorporates other Nigerian languages into the songs to accommodate other people into the groove.

‘No Be Sapele Water’ (K Solo Mix) is the best of that patent Sapele gospel dance music. K Solo’s version trumps Tee-Y Mix’s version which is a bit laid back. ‘Congratulations’ featuring Duncan Mighty is a celebratory song entrenched in the Niger-Delta way.

It’s not all South-South music though as Kefee enlists YQ and LKT on ‘Celebrate’. This track is more broad and bouncy. It has a strong crossover appeal and will most likely be a mainstay on pop charts. On ‘Who Get Ear’ featuring DC Envoys & Akpororo, Kefee sings about the coming judgment of the Lord. The ironic thing about this track is that it dispels with the dark foreboding sound normally associated with apocalyptic songs and takes on a rather groovy demeanor. Even as Kefee warns Christians who have turned cold towards the way of the Lord you can’t help dish out a slight shuffle.

Kefee’s new LP doesn’t offer much in diversity of sound but it does deliver on the richness of gospel music from the South-South region of Nigeria. She sticks to the local praise and worship script well although sometimes it might be boring if this brand of gospel isn’t exactly your cup of tea. There are no knock out songs, what you get on this CD is what you can get in any church in the Niger Delta. Chorus Leader just has better production