Annabel Joseph-Ojoboh makes a grand statement with new EP

Afrobeats is the current dominating sound in the Nigerian music landscape yet it is important to note that there are other less dominant music genres.

They range from Fuji and Juju in the South Western part of Nigeria, Highlife in the East and Arewa type of music in the north. Beyond this traditional music genre, there is the western type of music.

From the organist blazing songs on the piano to choristers strumming the guitar. There have been variations in sounds and genre. While it is true that these types of music are not popular, it has also made the sound of having one or two disciples.

When classic music is being discussed in Nigeria, the name Fela Sowande comes to mind, the 19th century music phenomenon was of the shining star in the Nigeria classic space. In recent times, one of the names that comes to mind is the budding talent named Annabel Joseph-Ojoboh.

Her Performances of songs which are scattered on the Internet introduced me to her music, although, they are compositions and works that have been performed by lots of other singers and performers, she brings her own flavour to the songs, elevating them to impeccable heights, it just shows how smart and creative she is.

Last week, I listened to a three track EP which she titled eponymous “Annabelsing,” It contains recordings/performances of classic pieces that dates back to the 17th century and more. Some level of research and practice must have gone into making this record.

The opening song on this EP is titled “Ave Maria”, a composition by the French composer Charles Gounod and Sebastian Bach. This song begins with some mid tempo, run in the mill type of piano, it is scattered and at the same time beautiful. The harmony of the song is broken by chords with Annabel repeating them for the first entry of her vocals.

What is beautiful about this song is Annabel’s glowing, ear pleasing vocals. While thematically, the song is a Catholic prayer to Holy Mary for continual Intercession, the singer comes in with her innate skill, levitating the vocal, while the piano chord slowly follows. It is a mix of so many beautiful distinct parts.

Too many things makes this particular track more fun and cool to listen to, from the attention to detail by Annabel, to the brilliant instrumentation supplied to her mannerism and the way she effortlessly delivered the Piece.

Henry Purcell, the renowned English composer made a gem with his classy song “Fairest Isles,” from the opera ‘King Arthur’. And just like the opening song, this track starts with a bright piano chord. In this song which Annabel performs, she is full of praise for Britain. She maneuvers the lyrics while pairing it with a sound vocal production.

With lyrics like “Fairest isle, all isles excelling/ Seat of pleasure and of love/Venus here will choose her dwelling/And forsake her Cyprian grove.”

Anyone who attempts to celebrate the beauty of Britain must come correct. In this song, she showcases her talent for crafting elegant, melodic vocal lines that capture the grandeur and pride of the British Isles. While she was born in Nigeria, she still keyed into the assignment and delivered a fantastic song.

“Lascia ch’io pianga” (“Let me weep”) which is the EP’s closer is from the Opera ‘Rinaldo’ by George Frideric Handel. The lyrics were written by Nicola Haym and the music was composed by Handel.

Being in love is something everyone crave for,while falling out of love is situation we all detest yet we it more likely to happen, it even get worse when one lose a partner, some people never recover from the shock. On this song, the character, Almirena lamented the lost of her beloved Rinaldo. The text translates;

“Let me weep over my cruel fate,
and sigh for my lost liberty.
May the pain and the tears
change the cruel heart that afflicts me.”

“Lascia ch’io pianga” is one of Handel’s most famous and beloved arias. It is a lyrical and emotionally expressive piece that showcases the singer’s vocal agility and expressiveness. Annabel echoes this during her performance of this song, she bring to fore the emotionally riveting mood of the song

Annabel Joseph Ojoboh is a shining star, while Afrobeats remains the most dominant sound, she stick to what she love best, singing classic songs, delivering her own version, making it more unique and in some way, making it known that she is a force to reckon with. She is young, dynamic and has a lovely voice, with time, right management and publicity, she looks destined for the top place in the music space.