Erna Chimu, renowned Afro Jazz sensation, is one of the mostfascinating musicians to walk the streets of Namibia. Her new album‘Hai-serute’ contains ten tracks and clearly displays the way theartist has matured on her second offering.
She hails from a small settlement just a few kilometres from Hosea Kutako International Airport where she was raised by her mother. Though she didn’t have proper musical training, she learned how to play guitar and piano at a young age.
The album contains a variety of songs that are each unique in themselves, but work together to give the album a sense of completion. The songs themselves are not only catchy, but have well-written arrangements for an accompanying piano and guitar that extends the lengths of the songs to a point that none of them become too repetitive.
On ‘Hai-serute’, the first track of the album, Erna tells listeners not to allow people to tell you that you can’t achieve anything. You have the ability to change your circumstances – be it poverty or any other challenge in your life. Erna’s voice combined with great beats makes the song catchy.
On track four, ‘Bayake’, Erna speaks out about the dangers of rumours and how they can destroy lives. Most songs on the album are in Damara/Nama which makes it difficult for non-speakers to understand. However ,she makes up for any language barriers by providing some very upbeat Afro Jazz beats to satisfy lovers of the genre.
Erna tries to make her music relevant to the masses by featuring Shishani on track eight, ‘We Praise Your Name’. Here the dynamic pair praise women for the sacrifices they make in their daily lives.
On track nine, ‘Sadu/Nami’, Erna describes how loving someone and being close to that person makes you feel.
Her music is near perfect in the way that it combines rhythm, harmonies and soothing melodies to make an irresistible natural force that is hard to sit still while listening to. It takes you on a journey of nostalgia.
‘Lullaby’ is inspired by Cassinga Day’s events, set over an incredible melody that takes you to back to that particular day by pulling on your heartstrings.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic album.
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