Kodhi Review in Trouw – Feb 19th, 2016

Sober but oh so profound
Mischa Andriessen

From Trouw (Dutch Newspaper)

February 19th, 2016.
WORLD
Ayub Ogada
Kodhi
Long Tale Recordings

****

(Translated from Flemish)

Some types of music are sensational; listeners are roused by rhythms and carried away by melodies. But then there’s also music whose main strength is to remain small, and not to overwhelm the listener. There is nothing remarkable about this type of music, apart from its intimacy and sincerity. The Kenyan singer Ayub Ogada’s album Kodhi clearly falls into the latter category. It is a beautiful and sober record full of simple but profound songs. There are no frills, apart from a minimal adornment added by Trevor Warren’s Spanish guitar. No more is needed. The repetitive patterns in the rhythm and melody create an invocatory effect, a friendly rhythm wave which is lulling rather than goading. Such thriftiness and simplicity are allowable because of Ogada’s incredible voice. At times he’s hardly singing as it’s more like talking, but every single word is pregnant with meaning. Every line is impressive, although Ogada doesn’t seem to need to impress. Quiet and grandiose.