DJ Spinall rides every popular wave on “Ten” album

Pulse Album Review – TenArtiste – SpinallGuests – Byno, Ice Prince, Ceeza, Niniola, Yung L, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Falz, Shaydee, Davido, Del'B, Koker, Dremo, Patoranking, Mr EaziProducers – DJ Spinall, IllKeyz, Stunna, Killertunes, Spax, Del'B, Reinhard, LusshRecord Label – TheCAP Music (2016)Duration – 35 minutes

As rises to grace go, DJ Spinall’s 2015 elevation was one that was impressive to watch; joyful, self-attained heights, and an enjoyable public ride through to the top of the music industry, as he signed for Smirnoff, and released his debt album “My Story”. This was more the culmination of hardwork and ambition put in through the years to create the turntable celebrity.

After many years of chasing the top of the game, Spinall has finally achieved his dream, as he sits right at the center of the elite leagues of Nigerian DJs. His brand is strong, so is his celebrity, and now the albums are coming through to add another dimension to the career.

Every great story deserves to linger for a long time, and Spinall is aiming for legendary status as his new album – “” – comes barely a year after his debut. This full-length project features a less stellar cast than the last one. There are fewer A-list names on the project, and also fewer tracks. Thematically, this project is all about 10 dance tracks for the DJs to spin through their high-powered sets and ensure the dancefloor is adequately served.

New boys Koker and Dremo make the cut, as they are paired on the synth-heavy ‘Zebedee’, while Ceeza takes things to the Caribbean with Bubble Bup’. Niniola who has successfully stereotyped herself into the House music genre, drops another EDM-fusion loosie on ‘Ojukokoro’, an overwhelming dance track with a measured horn accompaniment that further adds to her growing profile in the genre. The House genre is also championed by Davido and Del’B as they hit celebratory mood on ‘Package’. ‘Holiday’ is pure East Africa but Sauti Sol fail to spark to life. Shaydee delivers a stellar performance with Falz on ‘Don’t stop’.

Like “My Story”, “Ten” arrives in October, as the year winds to an end, and certain songs have already found acceptance as singles. The wavy ‘Ohema’ goes inside the psyche of a blazing Mr Eazi, while the Patoranking’s ‘Love you’ will cater to a niche market, where dancehall and patois reign supreme.

A producer’s album, there is not much to celebrate by way of lyrics, with sound being the focus of the album. There are no new sonic breakthroughs on this project, with Spinall choosing to ride all of the popular waves and to create a relatable full-length work that slides in perfectly on playlists. But credit has to be given to the producer for embracing new talent and finding the right atmosphere for every one to lean in and produce art.