A review by Dibussi Tande
Artist: Daphne
EP: Reflection
Label: Stevens Music Entertainment
Genres: World, Afro-Soul, Reggae
Released: November 2014
Available on: iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play
In an era where anyone with a catchy hook and access to a voice processor can be promoted as the next big recording artist by a horde of eager promoters and fawning supporters, buying into the social media hype and hysteria surrounding the pre-release of new songs and albums is generally a recipe for disappointment. The budding Cameroonian urban music scene, for example, is replete with a dizzying number of songs and artists who promised more than they delivered and then faded into oblivion - or stubbornly stayed around to the dismay of the listening public. Once in a while, however, an artist comes along who actually lives up to the hype.
Daphne’s recently released EP, Reflection, consists of four songs that range from R&B to Afro-pop and Reggae. The EP opens up with Reflection, a soft but danceable urban track with an upbeat tempo which will easily find a spot on the playlist of any urban radio station in the US. Those who assumed that Daphne was a Reggae artist after the release of her first single would be pleasantly surprised to discover this other side of her.
Broken, the second track from the EP, starts off as a powerful Makossa “blues” number but quickly switches gears just when the listener is about to be swept away onto the banks of the river Wouri. Though abrupt, this transition is not jarring as the song seamlessly glides into a soothing R&B/pop beat thanks to a reassuring and sultry voice backed by a tearful acoustic guitar which is ever present but nevr overwhelming – a beautiful ode to heartbreak and to the broken heart...
@BriceAlbin1 @Is_Daphne @Generation2_0_ je préfère"broken" début en Duala très original!!La voix est somptueuse!! Elle fera mal à l'avenir
— LE VIEUX SAGE (@EKEDIMAMBO) November 17, 2014
Reflection may be the title song but Ndolo, an Afro-Soul number, which expertly merges a distinct African beat with soul, is fast becoming a fan favorite. It is in this mélange of genres - where the motherland meets the otherland - that Daphne seems to shine brightest, and where she seems most at ease – a possible indicator of the direction that her career might eventually take... In fact, this track could very well have been written for or by Zahara, the South African recording artist whose two breakthrough albums, Loliwe and Phendula, have made her the undisputed queen of Afro-soul.
Si l'amour ressemblait à #Ndolo de @Is_Daphne , aucun cœur ne serait jamais brisé. #Reflection
— Bonas (@Bonas_Duvalier) November 24, 2014
Rastafari, the last song on the EP, proves if need be, that Daphne is a versatile artist who is comfortable with virtually any genre of music. Rastafari is pure and unadulterated Roots Reggae, Daphne’s tip of the hat to the golden era of Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, The Wailers etc. which preceded Dancehall and its derivations such as Ragga. Released as a single in July 2014, Rastafari led many to assume that Daphne was a “Rastafari singer” which obviously is not the case.
Daphne na die...This song na die...#Rastafari http://t.co/LO7fDw55Up
— VOC (@OfficialVOC) November 18, 2014
Reflection is an auditory delight delivered by an artist who effortlessly caresses each tune with a voice full of contagious youthful exuberance even when singing about heartbreak. With this EP, Daphne has shown that she has the potential to become a musical powerhouse in Cameroon and beyond. Before then, however, she and her producers may have to decide what type of artist she’s going to be in the long run; a Reggae, R&B, Afro-Soul artist? Or maybe she is one of those artists who refuse to be pigeonholed into a specific genre, and are at their best when experimenting with new sounds and pushing boundaries... Either way, I foresee a successful career ahead. Looking forward to the full length album!
Upon #Reflection, ever since my heart was #Broken, all I need is some serious #Ndolo from @Is_Daphne. @thehotjem @jewandaofficiel @irepcamer
— Don Julio Bats - BGC (@juliobats) November 14, 2014
For more on Daphne, click here to check out her Facebook page.
Read this interview to learn more about Daphne.
Dibussi I love your analysis of Daphne's songs! I can tell you are a converted DAPHNITE aka Daphne fan. Very detailed analysis of the songs on the Reflection EP! Two Thumbs up!
Posted by: THE HOTJEM Fashion Blog | November 25, 2014 at 02:42 AM
Nobody has saved Daphne on a palatable plate of Music consumption the way you just did Dibussi. You just nailed it. Thing up to you and thumps up to Daphne for being everything you've written about her here. 👌👌👌
Posted by: LIA | November 25, 2014 at 09:17 AM
This is a review by a true Daphnite.lol.I can't get over it!!You totally nailed this review Mola Scribbles!
Posted by: IRepCamer | November 28, 2014 at 11:25 PM
IrepCamer, I am sure the blogger is more of a proefessional reviewer than a fan of the artist. His focus on sounds, types of guitars, genres, the history of music, etc., is what we rarely see in Cameroonian music [and book] reviews which are more of personal commentaries than actual analyses of the product. Hope other bloggers, journalists, etc., learn from this review. I for one will now know what to expect in a review. If I dont see it, then it is not worth the trouble. No more stuff, like Musician X is the bomb, he is my man!! Support Cameroonian artists and by this album! That is not a review but a sales pitch! :-)
Posted by: Ambe Johnson | November 30, 2014 at 12:31 PM
is there anything the blogger din't like? I just di find fault hihihi. Love u Daphne & here's my Go-to for my kamer music reviews as from now!!
Posted by: Day29 | December 22, 2014 at 11:01 AM