With a number of NAMAs under his belt as well as regional and international performances on his ‘done’ list, Dixon proves why he is one of the industry’s best R B voices with his freshly released studio album ‘Happy Place’.
The album is true to his unique mellow yet upbeat sound that is made special by the lyrics that are in his mother tongue – (Khoekhoegowab) Damara.
Although he always insists that he is not the Namibian king of R B, many have dubbed him as such and his music proves why.
There is something about having music in your blood that can and will show in your work as a musician.
Having joined his family choir at the age of 10 and being part of a musical family is very evident in the way Dixon makes music.
Instruments from the brass family and the keys are very common sounds in ma /gaisa and being known to stick close to his roots, it comes as no surprise that the first song on the album, ‘Masiba’, kicks off with a touch of the keys.
The lyrics are beautifully complemented by a beat that can be danced to yet isn’t too busy and won’t distract the listener from getting the gist of the song.
On one of his previous albums titled ‘Stronger’, Dixon surprised a lot of his fans with songs in Oshiwambo, Damara and English.
On track two of ‘Happy Place’ titled ‘I Miss You’, Dixon takes on the Queen’s language to get his message of missing that special someone across. With a typical rhythm and blues feel, the song is touching and one can literally imagine it as a movie.
R B and hip hop collaborations are pretty standard worldwide, so it comes as no surprise that Dixon has one such track on the album. For ‘Ain’t Backing Down’, Dixon called in one of the best in the rap game, KP Illest.
Starting off with an acoustic guitar, this song is for that listener who needs to be encouraged to keep pushing. Again his vocals sound good and KP Illest’s lyrical contribution drives the message of always staying determined to be great right here at home.
In ‘I Love You’, track five of the 15 track album, the ‘/Namsaro’ singer slows it down with a kizomba sound with that romantic rhythm. In case the listener doesn’t understand ‘I love you’ in English, he repeats the three words in Otjiherero, Oshiwambo and, of course, in Damara.
It proves impossible to skip any track on this album. On track six, ‘Warrior’, the singer tells the story of “a man who never gave up ” but endures because “God has your back as long as you believe “.
Since Dixon announced late last year that he collaborated with former reality star and musician, Cleo Ice Queen, his fans have been waiting.
On track eight ‘Get Lit’, Dixon just got himself onto the list of club bangers.
The song is definitely one for the dance floor. It could do with less autotune, though, and without Cleo Ice Queen’s “Zambia to Namibia “.
Staying on the upbeat tune, he goes almost mellow house on ‘Smiley Face’ on which he keeps the lyrics worth listening to.
Taking on a more Afro pop sound, Dixon takes us to the hood to show us how to “do it in the kasi ” in ‘Gon Gon’ that takes the track 11 spot on the album. The beat is definitely going to get you dancing.
On track 12, ‘Ne //aeb /goede’, Dixon adds a pinch of R B to a really good Damara punch sound and if you were listening to this song seated, you are sure to get up and dance.
Definitely one of the best songs on the album, the beat is rich and the overall sound comes out very pleasant. If Damara punch is your preferred sound, you may just repeat track 13 ‘Ou Tere’ a few times. The traditional sound and that welcoming sound of the keyboard cannot be missed.
After a really entertaining and lyrically rich 14 tracks, the singer beautifully ends off the album with ‘Ti Kaikhoe’. The beat alone sounds like it is telling a story of a grand finale. Overall, the mixing and mastering on the album are well done.
Dixon always gets it right with lyrical content and with this album, he has shown growth in his instrumentals and the beats complementing his lyrics.
‘Happy Place’ takes you to a happy place musically and is one of those albums for your collection.
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