REVIEW - It has been a year since South Africa's biggest export to the international nasheed stage, Zain Bhikha performed in Cape Town. During his last sojourn here, he performed at the Joseph Stone theatre for Islamic Relief while conducting a creativity workshop for youth and visiting local Muslim schools.
This weekend he makes a return for his third and final concert for Islamic Relief's 25th anniversary after sold out concerts in Durban and Johannesburg last week. He also arrives in Cape Town for Sunday's concert at the Cape Town City Hall at 2.30pm fresh from highly successful tours in both the UK and US where he also extended his creativity workshops.
But for Zain Bhikha fans there is an added bonus - the release of his latest CD, 1415 - The Beginning - which will be sold at Sunday's concert at only R60 with all proceeds going to Islamic Relief. Speaking to VOC this week ahead of his concert, the father of four said that the CD symbolized his 15 years in the nasheed industry. 1415 comes three years after the released of Allah Khows which was VOC's CD of the year in 2006.
As with his previous work, Bhikha's latest CD is of outstanding quality, both in content and production. Earmarked by mellow tones accompanied by only drums and a choral echo, 1415 should appeal to all ages, including the youth who should find tracks like Who I am, the Palestinian song Freedom will Come and the lullaby, an Urdu classic done with Dubai-based artist Hoosain, Jashne Ahmed Rasul, particularly enjoyable.
Favourites like Zamilooni, which tells the love story of the Prophet SAW and his first wife, Gadija as well as a remake of Fortunate is He and Yusuf Islam's Peace Train, ensure that the CD does not lack for hits. Tracks like Mom and Dad - which is dedicated to Bhikha's parents, and the I remember your Smile - which is dedicated to a friend Bhikha lost in 1994 at the start of his career - all have one thing in common. They touch the heart and are bound to continue the success of previous hits like I think my Mom is amazing.
But the track that was the most heart wrenching for me on this CD was You are very special. It is the highlight of a CD which confirms the remarkable contribution made by Zain Bhikha to the world of nasheed, done purely for the love of His Creator. To this end he uses his considerable talents in a heartfelt expression of devotion that gave me goose bumps and cannot help but bring tears to the eyes.
14-15 - The Beginning is a must for your CD collection. It neatly sidesteps the debate on Muslims and music by providing 11 tracks with only voice and drums, and an additional seven tracks that are performed without any music. In my book, along with Desert Rose's The Awakening, it is the best two local nasheed CD's to be released in South Africa this year.
Fans can visit Bhikha's website at http://www.zainbhikha.com/ for a sneak preview of his latest album or obtain copies at Sunday's concert for Islamic Relief at the Cape Town City Hall at 2.30pm at a discounted price. Tickets for the concert sell at R75 for children and R100 for adults. It can be booked at Computicket or calling Islamic Relief on Saturday between 9am and 5pm at 021-696 0145. You can also call Achmat Kamalie at 079 1397 101.VOC |
