New Beginnings is the stunning album from Beatrice Muniu, features well known praise and worship, traditional Swahili songs, with a seamless blend of African rhythms and urban beats, innovatively and dramatically introduced to 21st century technology.

Reviews

Reviewed by George Luke (on Crossrhythms.co.uk)

This album first came to my attention when it was released in 2003 and Beatrice did a gig or two at Greenbelt. It was also my introduction to one of the UK urban gospel scene's best-kept secrets: ace producer Hez Thuo (another Kenyan expert), who produced it and co-wrote all bar one of the tracks with Beatrice.

The only cover is the old Integrity worship standard "Be Glorified" sung in Swahili and English; the rest combine heartfelt praise and worship with a seamless blend of African rhythms and urban beats. When she sings in Swahili, Beatrice's powerful voice is at times reminiscent of Angelique Kidjo or a young Miriam Makeba. She doesn't fare as well on the songs in English ("Tell Me Why", "The Earth Is The Lord's") - but they're far stronger than certain other Afro-pop efforts I've been subjected to in the past, and they do give Hez the opportunity to mess about with Beatrice's voice on his vocoder, in a Cher-esque "Do You Believe.?" style.

Hez also shines on the jazzy piano playing at the end of "Kumtegema Mokozi". As far as Afro-pop gospel records go, this is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Hopefully, a follow-up can't be too far away.

1. Mutiini

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2. Mwimbieni Bwana

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3. Mahoya

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4. Mikononi mwa Yesu

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