Ah Yami: Saint’s rebirth

Musician Saint has been around for a minute. He is one of the well-loved musicians of the urban brigade. His songs are relatable, tackles everyday situations thus making his productions easily embraced.

Songs such as Delilah, Neliah, Hi Ha are arguably big hits which have left a permanent mark on the music scene and in the hearts of many.

But his latest album Ah Yami, which is a short term for his full name Yamikani Chikwawe, Saint has reached a new level of musical success. No wonder the album, by public votes, won this year’s Maso Awards Album of the Year. Ah Yami’s list of 13 tracks is outstanding as each song has its own touch, well thought through composition and beautiful melodies. His selection of artists featured on the album exhibits just how well calculated he was.

The first song that caught my attention is Falling. A hopeless romantic declares his undying love for a woman, promising her that he will never look at another.

He sings in part: “I am not falling

 I am not falling for two,

I am not falling, I am not falling for three

I am not falling, I am not falling for four

I am not falling, I am not falling for more”

The laid back Afro-pop track feels easy to listen to as he bares his soul with his love declaration.

It is therefore not surprising that he shot the song’s video during his traditional wedding recently.

Una is another track on the album which cannot be ignored. The fast pace song carries his voice with grace as he once again declares his undying love, which he thinks is too much. He questions why he seems to love his woman more than he loves himself. The song has a dancehall touch with a bridge over to Afro-pop.

Clearly a club banger, the song takes a more youthful approach and talks of regular love challenges among the youth as he sings: “Lero ndikublocker lero lomwe I unblock, ku deleter zinthuzi kenako kuchita stalk, ndikakutuluka two minutes ungomva knock….zikukanikane, still under your spell….I need to go mtima umati no….”

On his most exciting feature on the album, is Saint and Eli Njuchi simply enjoying their youth and celebrating success. Now away from the love theme, the two artists in Dumpha look back at their humble beginnings and celebrate their success. The artists then beg to be left alone and enjoy their progress.

Their voices are distinctively similar on this track, but also clearly different making their combination an interest listen. The fast-paced Afro-pop song passes the test for a club banger.

In a clear departure from his love-theme, Saint invites Onesimus on Too Much. What I can describe as the most controversial song on the album, the protagonist in the song asks a woman for a night away saying he is not looking for something serious as he has been broken too many times.

“Ndinangotopa nazo, ndinangolema nazo, ndinangothodwa nazo. Sindikufuna za serious, sindikufuna commitment, sindikufuna za permanent, ndikungofuna za temporary”

Moral issues aside, Too Much is a song to listen to as its progression code is well packaged. The coordination of the drums and the lead guitar is seamless, with the guitar’s sound being heard from a low tone, but audible enough.

In a separate interview, Saint said he wanted to give his fans something different.

“If you have followed my career, I do not stick to one style. I keep on evolving and making sure that every song is unique,” he said.  

Other songs include More, Limodzi, Tate, One Day and Mrs Dollar.