After her last full album Pamoja, Etana has been keeping busy with multiple releases following the Grammy-nominated album. Various singles, the Acoustic Gold Vol. 1 album, and the Pamoja Festival Live in Nairobi have been released on the road to Etana’s latest self-produced album Nectar Of The Gods.
Nectar Of The Gods is a well-chosen album title since the production, again, sounds as sweet as honey. The album carries the typical Etana vibe, leaving no doubt that you are listening to an Etana album. From the first notes of ‘Jah Never Fail’ featuring Big Youth to the final bonus track ‘Sunkissed’, Etana takes you on a positive ride through various moods.
Personally, I gravitate more towards uplifting tracks like ‘Don’t Give Up’ and ‘Grateful’, but ‘Nuh Know Bout We’ also made me rock and sway while writing this article. The more lovey-dovey tracks like ‘Mr. Jones and ‘Vibration’ are not really up my alley.
Another aspect I always appreciate in new albums is the increasingly common collaborations. There is no shortage of those on this album as Etana teamed up with Bugle, Mr. Cheeks, Samini, Randy Valentine, JonFX, Ghanaian reggae-dancehall greatness Shatta Wale, and the aforementioned legend Big Youth.
I think that Etana, once again, did an amazing job with this album, and I wouldn’t mind if this album goes up for a Grammy again—or better yet, the third time’s the charm: a Grammy win!
The album leaves me witth one question though… “Weh Di Weed Deh”?
Go check out the new album and let me know what you think about it. Or even better, go see Etana live at a festival or venue near you.
By Danny Creatah