TROUBADOUR Recording Studio in Lansing, Michigan, played host to an intimate gathering of music enthusiasts from Zimbabwe, the Caribbean, Africa, and the USA, who came together on February 11 to celebrate the launch of accomplished musician King Isaac's sixth studio album titled ‘Love Talk’.
The album is his first after a semi-decade that saw him only releasing singles.
The special event, hosted by Shingi Mavhima, was a true celebration of love – a major theme that resonates throughout the album.
King Isaac, born Isaac Gabriel Kalumbu in Harare, is no stranger to the international reggae music scene. True to the genre's roots, the Grammy-nominated reggae musician’s sound is steeped in the original compositions of roots, rock reggae music.
During the album's listening session, King Isaac not only graced the audience with his melodic tunes but also interacted with in-studio and virtual audiences made up of family, friends, and fans. Tributes and congratulations poured in as the audience reflected on their profound relationship with the artist and contributed reviews between songs. "Love Talk," is the title track of the 12-track album. It is a soulful, sing-along melody that puts love in the spotlight. "I wanted to put love front and centre, and to talk about love in the right way, the love that is respectful, nurturing, and supportive," King Isaac said.
Uye Uye, another love-themed piece on the album is one of the singles that came out prior to the album release. Here King Isaac seamlessly switches between the English and Shona languages. Released as a single in February 2022 the song peaked at number four out of 50 on local radio station Classic 263 Radio’s Best Songs of the Year chart. It has an infectious melody and lyrics that profess undying love to a soul mate.
The song ‘Uye Uye’ was produced by Deus Pro, who is based in Mbarara, Uganda, and is complemented by a beautifully captivating video on the video streaming site, YouTube. The video was done by Artwell Mukonyora of Angel Arts in Zimbabwe.
King Isaac has collaborated with notable reggae artists including sharing the stage with the late Jamaican singer Sugar Minott who invited him to perform in St. Catherine, Jamaica at his annual Reggae In The Hills concert (2004).
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One of his most notable alliances is with Gregory Isaacs in a roots reggae, lovers’ rock collaboration album titled ‘Isaacs Meets Isaac’. Released in 2010 the 12-track collection was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the Grammys in 2011. It features songs such as One Cocoa, Golden Thoughts, Winner, and Early In The Morning among others. Secret Admirer, the third song on the “Love Talk,” album became available on all music platforms as a single on the day of the launch. It is a heartfelt dedication to Gregory Isaacs. King Isaac had wanted to record the song with the Cool Ruler, but could not due to an illness that was taking its toll on Gregory. “We had just finished our ‘Isaacs Meets Isaac’ album, I wrote some songs and then went over to Gregory who listened to the song and loved it, but that was the time he was not feeling well so he could not sing it,” King Isaac explained.
Eventually, King Isaac got into the studio with producer and Jamaican reggae musician Leroy Sibbles to continue working on the song. "I contacted him and told him I had some good tunes, and he said come down to Jamaica let's work on them. So I went to Jamaica and we got into the studio and did ‘Secret Admirer’, ‘The Score’ and other songs which are on this album”. Legendary Jamaican reggae saxophonist Dean Fraser also contributed his smooth velvet tones In ‘The Score,’ a lively, groovy piece that has a roving bass line, Isaac features veteran Dancehall deejay Chaka Demus best known for the 1990s smash hit ‘Murder She Wrote’. Demus’s artistry shines through the whole song. It is no surprise the piece was chosen, by popular vote, as Song of the Year for 2022 on Classic 263 Radio.
African Pearl, the sixth song on the album, is a collaboration between King Isaac and Botswana jazz musician Kearoma Rantao, who drove all the way to Zimbabwe for the recording. In ‘Castles in the Sky’ and the smooth, easy-going, and mellow ‘Everything I Do’, King Isaac's command of the authentic reggae sound and Leroy Sibbles's bass playing and well-knit music arrangement skills are evident. American Jazz artist Wycliffe Gordon also adds an enriching mellow effect with his trombone and trumpet playing.
The album, officially released on Valentine's Day, consists of 12 songs that include ‘Woman Like That, ‘Love of All Senses’, ‘Love Train, ‘Castles in The Sky’, ‘To Win Your Love’ and ‘Why Can’t You See’. It was produced by Glenn Ricks, Leroy Sibbles, and Maurizio Rossetto and engineered by Corey DeRusha, while the song African Pearl was produced by Dereck Mpofu and Mono Mukundu at Monolio Studios.
His most recent works include a hard-hitting anti-drug abuse anthem titled Usatore Mutoriro whose video has English, French, and Kiswahili subtitles. The official video is now available on YouTube.
