By Ayomide Tayo
Album- The Love Album
Artiste- Jeremiah Gyang
Guest Appearances- Skales, Asa
Producers- Jeremiah, Sammy and Timothy Gyang
Record Label- Mapis Empire (2012)
Jeremiah Gyang Is A Love-ly Mastermind
Jeremiah Gyang is not a new face or new name in the music industry. The gifted singer/producer grabbed his first hit circa 2003 when he produced and featured on Mode 9’s ‘Elbow Room’ under the pseudonym ‘Callen’. Shortly after that he made his debut as Jeremiah Gyang when he released ‘Kaunar Allah’ featuring then an unknown rapper by the name M.I. Highly gifted and talented, releases from Jeremiah Gyang have been scarce. In 2009 he released ‘Comforter’s Song’ featuring Asa which was a hit below the pop radar.
Last year Jeremiah Gyang released his debut album The Love Album. The 15 track LP is entirely devoted to the four letter word and it showcases Jeremiah Gyang as a brilliant songwriter, vocalist and producer. It is hard to place this album under one genre. Soft rock, British pop and soul, R and B and even Arabian music all get touched on by Mr. Gyang. There is a tinge of sweet Hausa language on quite a number of songs.
Jeremiah Gyang reuses his chilling hook on ‘Elbow Room’ on ‘The Only One’ through the use of a flute. When he sings ‘I don’t want to ever leave you baby/never, ever, never, ever, stay far away from me’ you get a whiff of the British Soul music exported by Light House in the 90’s. The song is subtly driven by a Spanish guitar which gives the song an exotic feel. J. Gyang showboats on ‘I Want You’. The song starts off on a Spanish note then switches into full blast reggae backed by a sweet electric guitar. ‘You are the one even when I lost faith in me/You are the one who believed in me’ sings J. Gyang on ‘I Want You’- a groovy piece of reggae music.
‘You’re My Fire’ is a slow brooding track where the singer stretches his voice till it becomes thin as he sings in falsetto. ‘It’s amazing all things you do/ it so crazy how it drives me too…My heart’s desire is to show all the pretty things you mean to me’, he sings in a manner suited more for the grey clouds of England. British Soul seems to be Mr. Gyang’s preferred genre on this album. ‘Give Me You’ is a love record of epic proportions. Soul stirring, clenches your fist reciting this song. You can’t picture him singing ‘Girl I wanna hold you tight and I want to love you right/ and I want to be the one who says ‘Good morning baby’ every morning because I am so in love with you’ without clenched fists. It is an emotional song where Jeremiah pushes his voice to the limit.
‘The Most Beautiful’ brings the concert ambience to your speakers or headphones. He sings ‘Daddie’s Song (Rock of Ages)’ entirely in Hausa. Even if you don’t understand you can still tap into his emotion. ‘With You’ is a throwback to Boyz II Men’s R&B that monopolized the early and mid 90’s. Jeremiah Gyang flips the script on ‘Keep It’ which features a thumping Arabian pop beat. The change of pace refreshes the album. Mr. Gyang rewinds the hands of time on ‘Thank You Lord’ which is 80’s/90’s Blues at best. ‘I just want to say thank you Lord, thank you Lord’ he sings on the old school instrumental.
At the end of the album, Jeremiah Gyang makes you not only fall in love with love but with music as well. His debut album displays his total mastery of what he loves how to do best- make sweet music.
Rating- 4/5