A Khanyo Maphumulo video production – Khululiwe Sithole – Iminjunju:
Khululiwe
Iminjunju
Often when someone is associated with a person considered to have contributed immensely in society, it makes it difficult for these persons to get a breakthrough particularly in the cut-throat industry of showbiz. Khululiwe Sithole took the bull by the horns when she went into the studio to record her solo album. Her studio work comes almost a year following the death of her husband.
Still mourning his death, however going into the studio was Khululiwe’s outlet of releasing the pain while at the same time celebrating the special love they shared. She is the first one to admit that she had a lot of baggage while working on this album. It wasn’t easy because the pain of losing her husband was still fresh and nogaal the media couldn’t leave her alone during her mourning period.
Now that the storm has settled down she believes that the album will attempt to offer those who find themselves in a position she was a year ago some solutions. The album also offers this session vocalist an opportunity to display her talent after years of doing backing vocals for Jabu Khanyile’s band. Jabu’s backing vocalist’s also featured one of the country’s most talented session vocalist and now solo artist Khanyo Maphumulo.
Khululiwe’s debut album comes almost a year after the sudden death of her husband and band member, Jabu Khanyile. The album is a personal testimony of this session vocalist’s experience. But having said that the album doesn’t dwell much on her painful experience following her partner’s passing. The album is an eclectic of Afropop, Afrosould and maskandi, thus catering for a wide range of music fans.
The new album opens with the aptly titled track “Iminjunju”, loosely translated in Isizulu it means indescribable heartache that never goes away. She further explains that “Iminjunju” talks about her hope that her husband will survive as well the devastation of seeing him die before his eyes.
“Iminjunju” also features other strong material that will immediately put her on the same leagues as the likes of Siphokazi, just but to mention one. Most of the material including tracks like “Dosi Lokufa” the gospel inspired “Thetha Nam” and “Bayagiya” were the first tracks that the singer penned for the album.
In fact Khululiwe points out that “Thetha Nam” was inspired by a heart –to- heart, sister- to –sister conversations he had with fellow muso and friend, Siphokazi who was often there when she needed comfort. Khululiwe also does justice to one of the country’s most loved ballad, Letta Mbulu’s “Never Leave You”.
She explains they had planned with her hubby to do a duet of the same song but sadly it never happened. “For me the song is a dedication of our love and the fact that I never regretted marrying him.”
The 12 track album is produced by one of the country’s versatile producers, albeit underrated, Sipho Sithole. In the recent past Sipho Sithole has produced some of the country’s finest female vocalists in Thandiswa Mazwai and Siphokazi.
From the opening track the listener is immediately prepared for some deep, soulful music. But again the music is somewhat spiritual. Take for instance the track “Njomani” featuring the awesome Bhekumuzi Luthuli .
There is also the gorgeous medley of the late Jabu Khanyile’s “metjeketje” what a nice tribute to Jabu Khanyile. And at best the music suites Khululiwe’s vocal range and thus showcases her vocal ability.
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