Artiste Sound Sultan

Album Me, My Mouth & Eye
Features Wizkid, Duncan Mighty, Flavour, Baba Dee, YoungGreyC, Blackha, Karma, Reminisce, Sean Tizzle, Wyclef Jean, 2Face & Ikechukwu
Producers Legendury Beats, TY Mix, Mic Tunes, Jay Sleek, Jiff, Kuk Beats, Sound Sultan, Mic Workx, Kid Konnect, O.G.B & L.K.E

Running Time 01:18:16

Label Naija Ninja Records (2013)

This musician is popularly known for his signature song ”˜Mathematics`, the conscious nature of his music, and a music career that spans six different eras (i.e. 6 studio albums). Veteran afro-pop star Naija Ninja ”˜Sound Sultan` has lifted the lid off his sixth LP (titled “Me, My Mouth & Eye”) under his Naija Ninja Records imprint. Sultan tackles issues of politics, love, and destiny on his new lengthy record (20 tracks including 2 bonus tracks).

Hoping to seal the commercial success of the LP and gain acceptance from the new generation of listeners, the Sultan opens the LP by employing a feeble addition from Wizkid and the production of the hotly sought-after Legendury Beatz with the party track ”˜Kokoshe`. The fast paced ”˜One in a Million` cannot be overlooked, its high points is when Sound Sultan sings the chorus and modulates it for the second time. Another party track on the album that`s of note is one of the project`s lead singles; talking about the dancehall inspired ”˜Gud Gal` produced by Jay Sleek. Regardless of the fact that the party starter about a good girl falling for a bad boy did not enjoy a long stay on dance-floors and charts (due to poor promotion); it is one of the album firm points, Fasasi rides in on the thumping beats like a true ragga star.

The major problem with this album is the arrangement; unnecessary remixes and track listing. After the second track which is the stellar ”˜Natural Something`, the remix to ”˜Luv Language` featuring Duncan Mighty comes up and the original song is listed as the eight track the same thing close re-occurs with ”˜Kuru Komaga` whose remix features indigenous rapper Reminisce. Furthermore the award-winning and battered remix of ”˜Orobo` which featured Flavour should have been kept off this project entirely, but sadly it lies in the first 15 minutes of “Me, My Mouth & Eye”.

Fellow Ninjas, YoungGreyC, Blackha & Karma surface on ”˜Lagbo Lagbo` and bonus track ”˜Gbedu`. On the latter YoungGreyC (popularly referred to as the pink ninja, and is responsible for all the mind-blowing background on the album tracks) steals the show with her opening intro and solid chorus proving she is undeniably the label`s best kept secret. Blackcha & Karma also rise up to the occasion, altogether serving a steamy club anthem unlike like the former which comes off as a bit noisy and extremely lacking chemistry.

Matters of the heart are addressed on the poppy number ”˜One` (bonus track) which features 2face, ”˜Like Mi` and ”˜Follow Me Go` follow in the same vein and notably so when he recruits former Ninja Sean Tizzle to help him hit the nail on ”˜Follow Me Go`. On the Kid Konnect simple afro-pop mid-tempo beat, Lanre and Sean rock together blending the art of rapping and singing about a girl they went to follow them to delivering a moody romantic number.

The mood is not always festive as the Baba Dee assisted political yet groovy ”˜Temporary Turn Permanent`, ”˜All Way Na Way`, ”˜Africa`, ”˜Still I Rise` and ”˜People Bad` which features Wyclef Jean, Ikechukwu and 2face respectively, not-forgetting ”˜The Piano` are housed in the album. Preaching the gospel of fighting for your own bread coupled with a celebratory chorus, drums, strings and timbres, ”˜All Way Na Way` hits the bull`s eye whereas ”˜Still I Rise` comfortably floats in-between greatness and failure. ”˜The Piano` is driven by a piano officially closing album on a spiritual note as Sound Sultan acknowledges and is thankful the presence of a supreme being in his life and career over rolling drums, singing “You can have this as your ringtone/ Or as your favourite song/ You can call me the piano/ But he is the one really that plays the song/ Cause he is my inspiration/ Beyond imagination/ I thank him every season”¦”.

“Me, My Mouth & Eye” is what the career doctor prescribed; definitely the project will not break new grounds for the sultan of sound, it might even be regarded as a little dated for 2013`s radio, still it showcases the signature style of Sound Sultan and will help him introduce his music to a young generation. Judging from the couple of records we have consumed from the host, this particular one extensively highlights and showcases the vocal abilities of Olanrewaju Fasasi.