TSHEPO TSHOLA
A NEW DAWN

It's one of the most anticipated albums of 2002 - and (album title), the just-released from Tshepo "The Village Pope" Tshola more than delivers on its promise to return this much-loved artist to the Centre stage of the Southern African music scene.
At Once warm, intimate and personal, (album title) is not only a return to form for the man who first captured the public's imagination as the leader of seminal eighties Afrobeat group, Sankomota. It marks, as the artist says, a "whole new face" for Tshola, shifting the singer onto fresh musical ground and cementing him in a lyrical foundation that is poignant, moving and riveting.

It's no surprise that (album title) is so powerful - particularly in its messages. Tshola describes track offering as " a great statement of humbleness for me". It's a humbleness that is born out of the singers recent recovery from 17 long years of addiction to both drugs and alcohol that saw Tshola - with the help of the Musicians and Artists Assistance Programme SA (MAAPSA) - spend three months at the Tabankulu Recovery Centre in the Cape last year.

And what gorgeous fruit is indeed! Just short of a dozen tracks, the album showcases Tshola's always compelling, utterly unique voice in dazzling form throughout as well as a vivid musical vista that transverses Gospel to subtle afro-jazz moments, traditional music-soaked material, afroboat tracks, funk-flowing repertoire and more, all coming together in one great package.

Tshepo Tshola is eager to pay tribute to the collaborative nature of album (album title).
Again revealing his ability to be far more selfless and less self-centered than before, Tshola largely stood back from the song writing and production process during the album's production. Hugh Masekela, Blondie Makhene, Khaya Mahlangu and Khotso are just some of the heavyweight musical talents who have lent their creative minds to the project. Explains Tshola "This time around, I decided I would get my friend to write songs for me, because over the years I have been writing my own music but I thought that it would be great to get another ear and different input. I approached people like Hugh Masekela and Frank Leepa who I worked with in the group Sankomota for years. We then called on producing talents of people like Blondie, Khaya and Khotso to play a role. It became an album that my dear friend to take the best out of me and I must say that I have never seen people working so harmoniously on someone else's project".

In terms of songwriting, Leepa contributed "Kithi Githi" and "Makolilo", which Tshola composed together with his old band mate. "It's been some time since Frank and I wrote together. Being together again it was that spiritual bond all over again, I started my music career with Frank so he'd play one note and I'd know what the next note would be! The connection is still very strong and I think it shows on the songs that appear on the album.

Tshola says Masekela role in (album title) is the stuff of the deepest creative relationship. "Hugh gave his all this album, from day one to the last day, from songwriting, producing and performing with his horn and as a singer, his input is invaluable". But much of the album's wonderfully intimate and personal feel lies in Tshola stretching his creative boundaries. After all, during his years with Sankomota and as a solo artist, "The village pope was renowned for his pronouncements on social and political issues of the day - not for necessarily revealing personal moments.

Other songs included are just as affecting and carry as strong threads of authenticity. There's the cautionary tale of "Kithi Githi" - definitely an album standout. "Joala" is direct and to the point. A tale about a drunkard who stands in danger of losing everything, it features a praise singer from Lesotho, adding immeasurably to the song's impact. As (album title) reveals Tshola has been through life-altering experiences, yet the singer still retains his sense of humour.