There’s no doubt that Ayanda has some real talent. Her voice is powerful yet smooth, she has a great vocal range and reasonable diversity, and she manages to do all of the tracks on Music2Me, her latest release, justice. Admittedly I find it very hard to shake the Idols stigma that attaches itself to ex-contestants like a parasite, and the album has mirrored the generic feel that characterises the show. And this, coupled with the forced and completely out of place ‘interludes’ and often frustratingly hollow lyrics detract from an artist that might have been able to break free from the reality show’s shackles. The image of a scheming Dave Thompson, Idols judge and executive producer on the album, is hard to escape, especially when the album feels like the result of a lengthy meeting of industry execs trying to milk the market, rather than one that lets Ayanda loose to explore her ability on her own. Nevertheless, there are a couple of good afro-jazzy tunes that might leave you smiling and tapping your foot, and the tracks are well mixed and professionally put together, but it seems like it will take a big effort to fill a gig based on this album, let alone get it high up the charts.
Published on www.levi.co.za/musicmag
