SriBuO Release for the week - Natty Borax - Odo Bewu Dee

Odo bewu dee ma enno nwu. If you see your wife your mother say water carry them go, who wey you go sabi who wey you go lef make e go? Hhhmm ... Ghana music lovers, this week we have a dilemma. Natty Borax and Daddy Lumba made this really controversial song. In any man's life, there are arguably two women who are most important to him: his wife and his mother. If you had to pick between the two, which one would you choose? The title track for this album suggests that the answer is obvious.

Borax says that his wife's hands can go places and her body can do dances that his mother can't do; so he would rather let his mother go, than his wife go. Is that really the right choice? Is there any right or wrong choice for such a dilemma? Regardless, this track was a sure fire hit when it was released ... along with all of its adorning controversy. Listen and judge for yourself:

Even though this album is Natty Borax's release. He collaborates closely with Daddy Lumba on almost every single track. I'd daresay its Lumba's addition that helps give this album its stellar shine. Another interesting track on this album is "Meba" that features Nancy Armah. Meba literally translates to "I will come" and no, that doesn't refer to an orgasm either on the part of Borax or the lover he is singing about. Rather, Natty Borax sings about meeting his lover at night for some rendezvous and assures here that he will surely be there, come rain or shine.

Another very likable thing about this album, apart from the controversial lyrics on some of the tracks, is that there is a lot of Ghanaian highlife in the instrumental backing. "Sika Nti" (Coz of Moni) is an example of such a song. Love that is built on the premise of money or favors is fleeting. Natty Borax and Shee admonish lovers to beware of this deathtrap for marriages. Look for love for the sake of love so that when its stripped naked and the hard times come, the love survives to see another day. The song has a nice steady tempo to it and augments the album nicely:

Borax ends this album with what he calls a "Fire Chant". Acknowledgments, thanks and praise to the almighty Jah are given in this track. There is no actual singing ... just food for thought.

All in all, Odo Bewu Dee was a solid release. Natty Borax will really take you back with these good and nice tunes after you buy the album and are grooving to it.

Credits - George Armah