John Sena - Thank You Lord

I was definitely being led when I picked out John Sena’s CD at TGS Records. I mean, I’d never heard the guy before, or even a sample of his songs. But…. man!!! I really can’t single out one thing that makes Thank You Lord my find-of-the-year: the combination of testimony, slick beats, quality recording…and that VOICE!!!

Since our radio deejays appear not to have discovered him, for the last few months this album has been sort of an insider secret among some of us (although I thought I spotted a guest artiste mention on a flyer somewhere about town). Anyway, let’s hope this review contributes to putting this lamp out into the open.

1.       The Prophetic êêêêê

The album opens with a message of encouragement from one Apostle Louis Dickens: a declaration of hope and restoration through the enabling power of God, and a prayer of expectation for divine encounter. Always sets the atmosphere for me.

2.       1 Am êêêê

The first song is an invitation for all who are burdened to come to Jesus, the way, the truth, the Life (Matthew 11:28). It’s a lovely duet done with co-writer, Ethel Baffoe, and you’ve got some fancy keyboard work set to a thumping ballad rhythm. It’s a great starter.

3.       Dεw Dεw êêêêê

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.”

Dεw Dεw rejoices at the sweetness of that love, which brings a person to salvation. The lyrics are straightforward too—you start humming or singing along way before the track is over, plus the tune is so infectious and dance-able that you have to move! I love John’s ‘comiums’ on this one. It’s a winner to have on your party playlist.

4.       Mawonsa so êêê

That’s “Lift Up Your Hands”… this reggae piece is a call for the saints to lift up their hands in praise, as well as throwing out an invitation to others to come to the Saviour.

5.       Lonely Nights êêêê

This is the song you sing along to after a quiet day, when you’re just caught up with how grateful you feel towards God—even with nothing in particular in mind. It’s a personal outpouring to God.  The song opens with keyboards and a flute, then second time round, the drums and bass kick in midtempo. Yep, I like this one.

6.       You’re Greater êêêê

John recalls a teacher’s words as the inspiration for this worship song. It’s also done to a slow groove, with a great piano interlude. “The sun, the moon, the stars and all you’ve created/ they’re all telling that you are God.”   

7.       Wonsa no ndwuma êêêê

OK this is our chrif hiplife track, and with all the works…keyboards, call-and-response /duet rap, heavy funky beat. There’s even a bridge that goes “Mawonsa so, minimsε wo feeli no” (i.e. God). You can tell John and the crew really had fun on this one, which celebrates the greatness of God’s handiworks. If you have struggled to find good music hiplife rhythm, you’ll love this track.

8.       Gye w’ayeyi êêêêê

This lovely medley of new and familiar songs is a favourite—and you know how we Ghanaians love our reggae! It starts with Abofo Aduonunan (about the 24 elders crying “Holy!” before the Throne), then merges into Sε ono na ofata (translation of He alone is worthy from O Come All ye faithful) , continuing with Agya, ne Oba, begye w’ayeyi ndε, then ending with that good old Pentecostal song, Din bi woho a εyεdε. Here again John’s vocal talent shines through.

9.       Worship Medley êêêêê

This is a medley of Ga and Akan versions of the same familiar worship song Oda ni ofee fεε /Oso na okyen wonyinaa (You are great, and you surpass all), interspersed with bridges I suspect to be new material. Last week I happened to play this track and my choir leader’s jaw dropped at John’s vocal skills (Yeah, he’d also never heard Thank You Lord). Oh this is a good one.

10.    Thank You Lord êêêê

You’ve got a groovy rhythm backs the title track, again a song of thanksgiving in all situations. It’s another good one to include on that party playlist. 

11.    Running Back To You êêêêê

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases”. This song is what the prodigal son requested for his dad the morning after his homecoming party. “A thousand times I hurt you, and a thousand times you forget”. The track ends with the only appropriate response to God’s incredible, unfathomable love—the offer of myself as a living sacrifice—and I have decided to follow Jesus is done in English and Akan. Like, me you’ll probably leave this track on repeat for a while.

Technical Stuff
Recording: the mixing is good, vocals/instruments, background/lead vocals etc well balanced. All instruments were programmed.
Sleeve Design: Excellent photography and design, even if final print could have been sharper. Information on songwriters and featured singers.

Studios: Hallelujah Studios

Overall Rating:

Message: 2½ /3

Music:  2½ /3

Production: 2/2

Creativity: 1½/2

Total: 8½ /10

Copies available at TGS Records (Tel: 0287247875; shares same building as Sunny 88.7 Studios). Check the Challenge Bookshop (Newtown branch), and possibly Christian Music Shops in Adabraka. 

KODA - My Passion (Soothing Jazz)

KODA’s kept us waiting too long for this one—probably his first commercially released instrumental album. And with My Passion - Soothing Jazz, my expectation has not been cut off. The 7-track CD contains a full hour’s worth of great instrumental music from one of Ghana’s finest versatile instrumentalists. I think the guitar is his forte, but he gives a virtuoso performance with the bass, keyboard and drums--he plays all the instruments on this album. 

Oh, for those who don’t know him, KODA’s fingers have always been lurking about in those albums you love—Joe Beecham’s early albums, Danny Nettey’s I Believe, God’s Instrument, Da Project, Nii Okai, Joseph Gyebi, Zuta etc etc.

Right, so here’s the rundown …

1. Confidence êêêê

The album opens with great guitar work overlaid on a confident groovy rhythm. It’s very contemporary jazz, you’d be forgiven for thinking the likes of Paul Jackson had come to town. , especially if you’ve heard “On Eagle’s Wings” on Abe Laboriel’s Live in Switzerland.

2. Faith êêê

Faith is a tad slower than Confidence, and no less enjoyable. The track is introduced with a funky sequence—oo I love it!—then draws out into a regular funky bassline, punctuated by that sequence again. The first half is a piano solo, and then you get intricate guitar work for the rest of the song.

3. Gye W’ayeyi êêêêê

KODA’s funky interpretation of Nii Okai’s song (from the Worshipful album) is a masterpiece. I love the guitar interplay during the verse. You need to hear that guitar solo just before the end. It’s guaranteed to get you foot-tapping and finger-snapping.

4. The Wind êêêê

This one’s a mellow jazz piece, lead instrument is the guitar. It’s a soothing one to unwind with.

5. Black Beauty  êêêêê

Somehow this one reminds me of a nice long traffic-free drive outside Accra’s bustle…you know, no traffic, the countryside rolling past, and looking forward to family and great food. It’s got a highlife feel to it, with contributions from various strings. Lovely!

6. Blessed 5/4 êêêêê

A marvellous piece of creativity. From the start, you get a 5/4 drum and bass rhythm which underlines the song to the end (if you love Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, you’ll love this). The title refers to Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, sandwiched between clips of the Mission Impossible theme.

7. The Lord’s Prayer êêêêê

I love this one as well. The music is actually the ‘Auld Lang Syne’ tune. Beautiful piano work, with light snare and cymbals providing the rhythm. You’ll enjoy this one too.

Technical Stuff
Recording: It's clean--good balance so that all the instruments harmonise nicely. No skips, white noise etc.
Sleeve Design: It's all right, I guess, but it won't call out to someone who's not familiar with the artist's name. Brief notes on track listing, credits, dedication, on the information panel.


Recording, mixing and mastering were all done at KODA's Koded Studios in Takoradi.


Overall Rating:

Music: 3½ /4

Production: 2/3

Creativity: 3/3

Total: 8½ /10

Get a copy for five cedis at the Silverbird Store (Accra Mall) or TGS Records (Tel: 0287247875; shares same building as Sunny 88.7 Studios); or you could also try Christian Music Shop, Nkrumah Circle.