David Kellie out with ?Makafui?

Though he may be unsung as far as gospel music is concerned, David Kellie, a photographer by profession is certainly no minnow in the music arena.

He has already made two outings, which really did not catch on, as he couldn?t promote his music due to financial constraints. His first was titled ?Oh Lord Anoint Me? a six-track album and ?Obo mehobaen? a collection of eight songs.

Despite this misfortune, David did not rest on his oars nor let things be, but has made a third attempt which promises to make the charts.

?Makafui?, is the name he gives to his third effort.

It is an ewe word, which translates ?I will praise Him.? The ?Makafui? album, which has a total playtime of 49 minutes 53 seconds, is a collection of eight beautifully arranged ewe songs, which are mainly done with percussion instruments.

Only two ?Yesu Nyo?my favourite and ?Woe Mayo? a worship piece, are done with the full compliment of musical instruments.

Believe you me though, when I say the ewe collection is an ingenious effort, which is bound to attract a large following, most of whom, would not necessarily be ewes or understand the language. For me it was love at first listening when I grabbed a copy of the yet to be launched album.

The rich voice of David and the effort put in by backers Adelaide Donkor and Naomi Agyemang and instrumental arrangement by Fred Kyei Mensah of Freddymer Recording Studio at Nkrumah Circle, Accra make a strong impression.

?Makafui? the title track starts both the CD and cassette. The longest of all the tracks taking 10 minutes 50 seconds, it is done in the indigenous ?Borborbor? style with only percussion instruments.

?Makafui? which tells of the joy in heaven is a praise song as indicated earlier.

Following this song is ?Yesu Nyo?, a reggae piece which talks about the goodness of God. Then rolls ?Amaade? an acapella with very emotional lyrics and interesting ad lib [Aho hoo hoo hoa]. ?Amaade? means somebody and the lyrics read ?Someone is calling, God help him; someone is dying, help him; someone is on a sick bed, come to his aid.?

?Dela Yesu? is number four and the last on side ?A? of the cassette. Also done with percussion only, this piece, which translates ?Saviour Jesus?, is done in an ?adowa? rhythm, which would be the envy of many a traditional music composer.

In this song Kellie pledges his allegiance to his maker.

The flip side of the cassette begins with ?Medze Sii? the second longest track, which has a playtime of 7 minutes 23 seconds.

The song that translates ?I know Him? has an infectious ?Jama Feel? rhythm. After this rolls ?Yesue? a praise style percussion only piece, in which Kellie acknowledges that if it had not been Jesus on his side he would have died.

?Woe Mayo? translated ?I will call on you? is the only worship piece on the album. It however has a very deceptive intro, which may make one think it is renowned American musician Kirk Franklin?s piece ?Revolution.?

In the eight and last track ?Edem?, Kellie states ?It is the Lord who saved me from problems and evil.? This is done in slow ?adowa? with a choral music flavour.

From all indications, ?Makafui? which was produced with the assistance of Nii Amu Amoo and Godwin Donkor would do well if it is given the needed push.