This is UJU’s debut album and is suitably titled after their tireless efforts to get their music out there for the masses. Although it may not be as original an idea, there is a gap in the music industry right now for their sound and spirit. Free is a great collection of songs filled with incredible melodies, remarkable music in the form of the fusion of percussion, bass guitar, rhythm guitar and a combination of vocals and spoken word. Ntuthu... 

Freshlyground have never shied away from showcasing their traditions and backgrounds on their previous projects. It’s no different with their new offering, aptly title Radio Africa, encompassing what Africa has to offer in terms of diversity in the sound and music they play. Radio Africa opens with Moto, with lines “Moto moto wayaka wayaka moto wayaka”, inspired by guitarist and band member Julio Sigauque’s grandmother who used to hum this... 

Legendary musician Smokey Robinson is back with new studio material packaged into an 11-track album titled Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. The title speaks for itself as Robinson immerses himself into the beautifully-crafted music with his ever smooth and charming vocals. His mellow and gentle signature sound is more refined, gratifying one’s ear, heart and soul effortlessly. The album-opener, which is also the title track, precisely accomplishes... 

Erykah Badu’s new project New AmErykah: Part Two – Return Of The Ankh continues from where she left off with New AmErykah: Part One – 4th World War in 2008. She’s kept the same style but enhanced her musicality, a feat many musicians fail at. From the very beginning of the album with the song 20 Feet Tall, you are subliminally thrust into a unique, vibrant musical journey. From the strong presence of keys strung so eloquently by James... 

My hometown, Durban, has unearthed another amazing talent in singer Ternielle Nelson who has just released her debut album called…..wait for it….Unearthed. With veteran Selaelo Selota on the production ropes, Unearthed is a melting pot of different African sounds. The writing credits are shared amongst both Ternielle and Selaelo, as well as Tendani Makhuba, Mxolisi Majozi, Gugu Cebekhulu, Wanda Zonke, and Robin Kohl. Ternielle flows so... 

The Queen of hip-hop/soul, Mary J Blige, is back with a brand new 15-track album entitled Stronger With Each Tear. The first few songs are your usual radio-friendly songs with complex production and Blige’s own instrument, her voice, being just a simple feature. The second part of the songs showcases her talent as a strong singer and a prolific writer. For example, as much as Good Love, where she features rapper T.I., is a radio jam, it... 

Jazz music has always been seen as a genre of music only enjoyed by the more mature crowd. It came as a surprise for me, well maybe a little disillusion on my part for thinking I wasn’t a grown up, when I fell in love with this beautiful form of expression just a few years ago. I learnt to undertsnad that it’s all about how you interpret what you hear when you listen to any type of music. Jazz in this country has been enjoying an ernomous...