THE FEELING AIN'T FEAR – TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY - A MISGUIDED JOURNEY OF ASSUMPTION AND EXPECTATION

I'm gonna be honest, I listened to this album around the time it was released. In fact this one of the first albums I wrote a written review for Good Cop. But, that’s another story for another day. Lemony Snicket once said this about assumptions, “Making assumptions simply means believing things are a certain way with little or no evidence that shows you are correct...” So here’s what I knew for sure going into the album, Tehn Diamond....Akward Right....I had listened to his “reverbnation” page, his debut solo album a few good poems and watched the video for the song No Stress. Personally, as Bad Cop I did not believe the hype so when the Few Kings dropped their sophomore album (i.e. second album) I was not expecting much and I assumed the worst. I know....I know.....I know......it’s not looking good at all. So I press play and I’m hearing acoustic drums, electric bass, lead guitars, synth piano and other synth sounds. Honestly, I thought I was listening to an album from 2001. Secondly, in light of the sound, I was like its 2017, really? What other albums sound like this in 2017 from artists from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, UK and USA. I was falling down the rabbit hole. I had taken the blue pill and I HATED IT (I know hated is a strong word but its true).

So after getting my mind right with the understanding that I was  listening to the right album in the right year I am able to give you Bad Cop’s opinion about this album. Firstly, I must commend Take Fizzo for unashamedly building the album on the foundation of classic hip hop music. He chooses authenticity of instruments shunning the majority of modern computer generated elements that are used to construct a track. He however is able to be dynamic in creating instrumentals that sound different from each other allowing Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond to deal with a wide range of topics. It is this choice made by the Few Kings that then made my listening experience difficult. I on hand appreciated what they were doing as I found some tracks I liked but I found the album so intricate as you shall see that it may go over some people’s heads.

On the opening track “Still the Few”, Take Fizzo uses the drums, organ, surprisingly 808 and what sounds like the moog base with an assortment of synth sounds. Tehn Diamond comes in from his perspective and eloquently declares the legendary dominance of the Few. On the next track “Famba Famba”, Take Fizzo uses a guitar dj break beat, drums, and a different assortment of synth sounds to create a classic feel. Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond combine together effortlessly trading bars in shona and English reminding all the Young Mc’s that they are the real kings of Hip Hop. The next track “Bad Boy” is a simple hip hop instrumental of drums, acoustic guitar and gated synth sound Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond combine this time to deal with modern day social scourge of bad boys, like older brothers they share wisdom and bad boys the ultimate danger that faces those who choose to behave in that manner. The next track, “Mamero”, a reggae dancehall track, opens up with a sample of the former president Robert Mugabe. On the track Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond continue on their wise men tip, as they share the relatable story of life as we had come to know it in Zimbabwe. The next track, “In the water”, a catchy hip hop instrumental of drums, an organ sounding piano guitar and a high pitched synth sound, the Few turn their attention to remind us that we got to keep hustling. The next track, “15 Billion” (Hapana Hapana), Take Fizzo uses the drums, lead and base guitar allowing Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond to switch it up and in parody of the famous revelation of the missing 15 Billion, the Few share their own ambitions as artists to make a living. On the next track, “Bum Bum”, Take Fizzo uses the drums, lead and base guitar set the mood and allow Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond to get the party started. The next track, “Vaskana Ava”, Take Fizzo samples one of the many Olinda facebook lives, which was quite amusing. He once again uses the drums, lead and base guitar to allow Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond to hilariously go on to declare that we should make every effort to treat our Zimbabwean ladies right. In the same spirit, on “Versace & Gucci”, Take Fizzo slows things down using the drums, tambourine, piano and base guitar to set the mood for Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond to get more intimate declaring to our special ladies and how one can be a provider of all the lavish things of life, but that all they want in return is love and affection. On the next track, “Stuck in the Clouds”, Take Fizzo over the sample of Oliver Mtukudzi’s song “Ndiwe Wega Uripo”, incorporated with the drums and base guitar allows Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond to take intimacy to the next level as they declare their undying love for that one special lady one would do anything for. On the next track, “Kutaura Nemi”, Take Fizzo samples a traditional African hymn, incorporated with the drums, lead, base and acoustic guitar, Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond, go to church sharing their own testimonies. On the penultimate track, “The Remedy”, Take Fizzo uses drums, with emphasis on the repetitive gun like snare and a synth piano to create a revolutionary feel. Junior Brown and Tehn Diamond share a powerful message to young Zimbabweans that we are the answer to our nation and that we must not back down. On the final track, “Long live the few”, Junior Brown over the same instrumental that opens the album from his perspective reiterates the legendary dominance of the Few.

So you must be wondering why I am repetitively highlighting the detail of each track because I believe the Few want you to hear and appreciate it all. With so much detail the terms of listening are you either you take it or leave it. As Bad Cop this album was a lot to take and required me to think and meditate over each track. So I must warn other listeners this is not an album for the casual listener. It’s also not an album you can appreciate over time because they are clearly choosing to not go along with the flow.  So as Bad Cop, I must commend the Trio, for keeping to their unique sound and style but after sacrificially paying attention and thought to this album I’m off to listen to some Charlie Zimbo Tell Your Friends.

My favourite tracks were “In the water”, “15 billion” and “Bum bum”.

I would give the album 6/10.