(image courtesy of www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk)

When I wrote about Jack’s departure from Capital FM last week, I mainly delved on the future for the Capital Jazz Club and the many fans that had come to love the show over the 17 years that Jack hosted it.

I however, did not give the actual reasons why Jack left or divulge details confirming that he was indeed pushed to it in a very unprofessional manner which the folks at Capital have been trying to hide and even confront me on not giving their version of what exactly happened.

I was even accused of scavenging for information from everywhere else other than Capital. Yes they are very open and would have readily given me all the information I wanted for my story (Yeah right, like they would have given me the time of day before that post)

Unknown to them, I had already spoken to Jack Ojiambo who happens to be a good friend of mine all due to the fact that I have been a huge fan of his show.

However, that did not cloud my thoughts as I wrote the article and I simply looked at it from the point of the listeners and their feeling of abandonment.

What Exactly Happened?
In the many years that Capital Jazz Club existed,  Jack started  inviting in-studio guests every now and then, most of who happened to be his very fans. This was the perfect way to create a community and transform the show into a sharing experience.

In the last two shows before his departure, he hosted Aaron Rimbui consecutively, something that had never happened before. Apparently, the 2nd visit was prevailed upon him by the Programmes Controller. He was later informed that a decision had been made that he should, in future, co-host the show with Aaron. There was no discussions, and it was not a request. They were instructions. He was further reminded that it was not a Jack Ojiambo show, it was a Capital FM show. If he didn’t like the new arrangement, it was up to him.

It is at that point that Jack decided that he would not host the show anymore.
Soon after Jack announced on his Facebook page that he would no longer be presenting the Capital Jazz Club, it was confirmed on twitter that indeed Aaron had replaced him (yes, that fast) and now the only worry by Vincent was if Aaron had a good enough accent which is a pre-requisite.

This was despite the outpouring of confusion online from the many fans who sought answers on the unfolding events.

Jazz

Is this new or has it happened before?
This incident with Jack seems to be what opened a can of worms on the suspicious manner in which previous hosts were ‘let go’ without receiving their final dues.

Therefore, by Jack tendering his resignation, they would be justified in saying that they did not sack him thus would not pay him all his dues. They however forgot that Jack is a lawyer by profession and he will have them for lunch ( watch the drama unfold on a TV near you) should they try the same tact on him.

I am informed that they have been given an ultimatum in which to sort out the matter amicably.

So Many Questions!

We therefore need to ask ourselves the following questions:-

a. What really prompted Capital to force Jack out after 17 years?
Could there be more to it than just wanting to transition from the old to the new as they termed it?

So is it that Jack was so stuck on the old that it necessitated a hostile take over!

This is despite numerous attempts by Jack seeking an audience with the programmes controller on a meet to discuss ways of revamping the show which never happened.

There is a nagging speculation by many I have spoken to about this being a Mavuno fueled take cover (surely, you must have seen this one coming).

As I mentioned on twitter, the Jazz day celebrations revealed a subtle sign that there are indeed Jazz camps which many did not realize exist. The plan was for all Jazz musicians to come together and celebrate the Jazz day on 30th April. However, while almost all other Jazz musicians were at  the Tree house, Aaron and Eric Wainaina held their own separate gig at the Elephant.

Aaron’s fan base is drawn mostly from Mavuno church where he has performed on numerous occasions and that could be the group that is being drawn in to listen to Capiro.

There are rumors that he will be co-hosting the show with a lady.

b. Was that the best way to handle the situation?

We are all in agreement that shows do go one even after hosts have come and gone thus if the management felt that it was time to re-invent the Jazz show, then its their prerogative. However, what many continue to fail in understanding is that the situation was handled in a very Jua Kali way with no professionalism whatsoever especially taking into account that this person has run the show for 17 years.

c. Will Capital FM pay Jack his dues?
I will leave this to them, Jack and  the Kenyan Law Courts to decide should it reach that point.

d. What if Jack does get to run his show in another Radio Station, is Capital prepared to loose its listeners?
Other media houses have already expressed interest in having Jack host a similar show and chances are that he might just migrate with his fans. Capital FM is quite ready for this. Or did they under-estimate loyalty?

e. Why the loud Silence from Capital on the matter?
The silence on this matter from Capital has been rather loud with no official communication from their website.

Moving On
There are those who want this to be quickly forgotten, for us to move on and give Aaron a chance. I was even branded as an irresponsible blogger by one tweep for writing about this.

Does 17 years of building a brand mean nothing to anyone anymore.

Let me ask this in a different way.

If the exact same thing had happened to Maina Kageni, would it have received the same dismissive attitude and cover up?

South African Singer, Songwriter and Poet, Zahara

The best news I have heard today was that Zahara whom I wrote about over a year ago, will be performing at the next Blankets and Wine on 2nd June at the Carnivore.

Zahara whose  real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana has being enjoying alot of airplay on Kenyan TV and radio with her song Loliwe (which also happens to be the title of her first  album) being the most played. This is from a singer, songwriter, musician (plays the guitar)  and Poet who was virtually unknown even in her home country South Africa 2 years ago.

I wrote about Zahara in my new music segment in May last year and its great news to know that Kenyans will be able to enjoy her music in a relaxed setting like Blankets and Wine which will be marking its 44th edition( the Roman numbers used are just too confusing)

Zahara’s debut album Loliwe proved to be a big success as it went Platinum in 13 days and went double platinum after just 17 days, selling over 100,000 copies in South Africa.

Her debut single, Loliwe, has had over a million views on YouTube. On the 1st of May 2012, at the annual South African Music Awards, Zahara won 7 awards, including Best Female Artist and Album of the Year. Prior to the awards a media storm broke out about the state of her finances which were allegedly being poorly handled by her record company. Her record company TS records vehemently denied the allegations.

She has since been the face of endorsements deals with Samsung and was the headline act in Samsung Africa Forum Gala, the launch Kleek Music mobile application.

Zahara with Kenya’s own Camp Mulla, will also be part of  the MTV Africa All Stars  lineup set to take place in South Africa on 18th May  alongside Snoop Lion

Although Zahara will be headline act for the event and will share the stage with Sudanese-born artist Alsarah, Kenya’s Prisca Ojwang and songstress Dela.

Tickets to the event can be purchased through TicketSasa for Ksh. 1,300

I leave with some  of my favourites from her album

Prof. Chinua Achebe (AP Photo/Axel Seidemann)

The death of Chinua Achebe at the prime age of 82 marks the physical departure of a man who has touched many in Africa in a very special way. While one may want to agree with Nelson Mandela who once said that Achebe brought Africa to the world, it is also true that, in a very special way, Achebe made we Africans to see ourselves as a race of proud people who were subjugated by colonialists for many years. He inspired us to have a sense of pride in culture. But even more momentous, he made us sensitive to our African way of telling stories.

Here was a principled man who refused the highest honour in Nigeria, Commander of the Federal Republic. He dared to tread where angels feared by telling off racists of all kinds and African dictators. Above all, he asserted African dignity. It is not enough to say that Chinua Achebe was the father of African literature. Though he is physical gone, his spirit will forever remain the palm wine with which we drink African literature.

It is with these reflections in mind that a  one day event has been organised by his publishers at The Professional Centre on 18th May to celebrate this great African in a special way, before his burial in Nigeria on 23rd May 2013.

It will bring together scholars, students and lovers of literature who will reflect on the times and life of Achebe with  readings from his works, short performances,  song, and dance.

The event will start at 10 a.m and has been organised by his long term publishers,  East African Educational Publishers (formerly Heinemann) & Prof. Egara Kabaji

In attendance – Musyoki Muli, MD Longhorn Publishers, and a special appearance by writer/publisher Barrack Muluka and writer Muthoni Likimani.

Hear authors experiences, and get tips on how to get published in Kenya. A great opportunity to network as well.

Event supported by Text Book Centre, The Saturday Nation, Jabali Furniture, The Junction Mall & Longhorn Publishers.

June Gachui with Jack Ojiambo at the recently held Jazz Special in marking the International Jazz Day on 30th April. They were the event's MCs

After 17 years of hosting the Capital Jazz Club on Capital FM radio station, Jack Ojiambo yesterday informed his show’s  fans on Facebook that he was leaving the station.

Jack Hillary Ojiambo
Its unfortunate for me to report that I shall be leaving your Capital Jazz Club radio programme after 17 years rather abruptly. Hope we can continue to share in whatever way.

This was immediately received with disbelief, protest  and even calls to lobby Chris Kirubi the owner of Capital FM to reconsider through the Capital Jazz Club group which has over 2,300 fans.

Jonathan Okello Mmmm… it has not sink in yet! Jack Hillary Ojiambo
9 hours ago · Like

Wairimu Kamau C’mon man,are you trying to pull a belated April Full’s on now? coz if you are,I’ma hold one’s back right now,and say a big “Phew,that was close” #JashoPevu!
9 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Wanjiru Kinoti This is a cruel joke. Apologise at once!
9 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Sunil Lakhani ..do tell us the new frequency that v shuld tune into. ..
9 hours ago via mobile · Like

Andy Mutua Looking at this huge list of comments we should petition CK and Capital FM mgmt …
8 hours ago · Like · 2

Matilda Makungu Andy Mutua’s suggestion can work otherwise capital jazz show is coming to an end after all these years and the way we begged for extra hours ……
7 hours ago via mobile · Edited · Like · 1

Navin Satish sad day
2 hours ago · Like

Nelson Manyasa where will the biggest show on the planet land?
57 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Nelson Manyasa I was thinking of having the program xtended to 5 days!!!!!
55 minutes ago via mobile · Like

David Nyamai There’s a package to the show with Jack Hillary Ojiambo that goes beyond the playlist of tracks. Its like saying Rick Dees stops presenting the Rick Dees show… Hope the station sees it that way and remedies

The Capital Jazz club logo on Face book

In less than an hour after his announcement, Vincent Ochieng the Show Producer and Manager at  Capital FM announced through his twitter handle that Aaron Rimbui had joined them and would be taking over from Jack Ojiambo.

Ochieng’ Vincent ‏@VinieO 
Help me in welcoming on board the one and only @AaronRimbui as he officially joins CAPITAL 98. 4 FM Presenters Team.

Aaron Rimbui ‏@AaronRimbui
LADIES and Gentlemen!!! I’m officially on board the @CapitalFM_kenya family!! #CapitalJazzClub

This caused further reactions on twitter with some congratulating Aaron and others clearly distraught by the sudden change

David Njuki ‏@njukey 14h
The Capital Jazz Club is dead ..yeah I said it!

Wanjiru Mbugua ‏@wanjirumbugua1 9h
Congrats to the multi talented Aaron Rimbui for joining Capital Fm family &my best love to my boo Ms Amani… http://fb.me/1HvpFc02W

Nduta Njau ‏@Ndutapn 14h
@AaronRimbui happy to hear you Aaron Crucial Keys Rimbui!! We will listen dutifully.

This come barely a week after Laura Walubengo who was also one of the longest serving news presenter, left the same station.

The question that is in each mind of the many fans that Jack has inducted into the Jazz club is, What will be the future of the club be?

Whilst many will argue that everything in life changes since its inevitable, others will retort that, change only happens when it is a necessity. That’ why humans have walked upright for over thousands of years after descending from the Homo Erectus species. In other words, if something is not broken, it should not be fixed.

That is how many are seeing it with Jack’s exit. One also gets the feeling that this has become the case of  ’Asante ya punda’ where Jack is shown the door unceremoniously after building up a fan base and breaking the stereotypes that many had towards Jazz music in Kenya.

There are those who might speculate that maybe the new producer has a free hand and wants to deal with those who will tow the line and maybe it was a challenge dealing with Jack as he is one person whose love for Jazz goes beyond just hosting a 3 hr show every Sunday and a man with his own mind.

Capital is quite ready to loose a few listeners as Vincent wrote to Njukey on twitter and is confident that it will replace them with others.

Ochieng’ Vincent ‏@VinieO 15h
@njukey Change is change…..and we must grow people in the industry. People have come and gone at Capital- The Brand still STAYS STRONG

Ochieng’ Vincent
‏@VinieO
@njukey If i were to count the people who have left since 1996, i would literally fill your TL- My point? New chances in life

The role of radio is with no doubt being redefined by the internet with many Kenyans who have reliable internet connections listening to online music streaming stations whilst others have found the net to be a cheap source of music downloads. It has therefore become slightly harder for radio stations to maintain listener loyalty especially in the urban areas where the middle class have access to better technology and fast internet speeds.

It is therefore a huge gamble for Capital FM whose target market is the same middle class to replace a household name that has played the role of Jazz teacher more than a presenter with  Rimbui – a Jazz musician.

There will be benefits to this move in that Aaron will bring in a different music offering but it might not be enough to drown the sour taste left on the tongue of  many Jazz Club fans.

Four Kenyan Saxophonists all on one stage (from the left; Don Ouko, Joseph Hellon, Chris Bittok and Parseen Edward)

Had you asked me 5 years ago if we had a formidable list of jazz musicians in Kenya, I would have had a hard time naming more than one.

In 2006, the disaster that was the inaugural North Sea Jazz Festival was proof that we were not yet ready to brag having Jazz Musicians. I attended the event at the Kasarani Sports Center and though the lineup was impressive, talented artists such as Eric Wainaina and Harry Kimani among others were the only ‘Jazz’ artists from Kenya. Your guess is as good as mine as to why it did not happen again after that.

Fast forward to Tuesday 30th April, venue – The Tree House, time – 7pm and all of that changed.

In an event that was organised to mark the worldwide International Jazz Day celebrations, The Jazz Special had brought together 8 bands made up of some of the well known names in the fast growing Jazz scene in Kenya.

Chris Bittok, Joseph Hellon, Different Faces, Rick na Marafiki and Christine Kamau (The only Kenyan female trumpeter/composer ) each gave atleast 30 minutes of hair raising performances to a packed venue with the audience taking in every word, every sound.

The event that was to start at 6.30pm was right on time with recorded music waltzing from the speakers with DJ Njukey playing music by Gill Scot Heron, Jill Scott, Femi Kuti and Gregory Porter, among others. Soon after the performances were started off by Mwai and the usual suspects. Their rendition of Nameless’ track Nina Noki left everyone in awe.

The highlight of the event for me was when all the 4 saxophonist were on the same stage in what was an a pure improvised performance. As Chris Bittok joined Parseen Edward on stage, he clarified that there was no rift between Kenyan Jazz musicians.

His comment resonated with those of the organizers whose main aim was to bring all Kenyan Jazz musicians together and break the barriers so to speak.

The event which went on well past 1 a.m had several surprises with Patricia Kihoro and Denise Gordon performing different renditions of the song ‘Summertime‘ with no prior rehearsal. June Gachui, one of MCs also took to the stage to give a taste of classic Jazz which  had not been featured despite playing such an important role in the birth of modern jazz.

I had to call it a night at some minutes past 1 a.m and felt bad for missing Joseph Hellon’s performance, a man who has managed to salvage his name from all the drama that has been his life ever since a TV personality and a certain Nigerian become staple food for Kenyan media houses.

I walked out of Tree House happy that now, I can comfortably say that we indeed to have Jazz Musicians. The organisers (Parseen, Njukey and June) are aiming to have this celebrations every year and hopefully have a Jazz Festival some time in future.

Like many, I felt that the fee of 1,000 was a rather low fee for such an experience, however, I was informed that it was to set a precedence that a good event need not be over-priced.

Multi-talented Barbara Ng’eno aka Sage (Image courtesy of StandardMedia.co.ke)

This is a conversation based review of the song and video So Alive by Sage and Octopizzo. A different style of doing things as it were with Robert Mahebo and Pat

RM: I first met Sage almost four years ago. She was this shy lady with spectacles learning how to play the guitar to support her awesome piano performance. At that moment in time, she also was a back-up singer and pianist for Muthoni DQ, Musician and organizer of Blankets and Wine monthly music event.

                       P: You’ve met Sage??? For real? Well folks, there goes Bob’s objectivity!

RM: I do not see how a simple meeting has to do with my objectivity, I’m my own man. Influenced only by music in its essence, not nice legs and pretty smiles.

                         P: Yeah. Right. And unicorns and leprechauns exist. [Rolling eyes]

It still does not change the fact that she has a very nice voice.

                            That she does. No debate about that. I have never met her or Octopizzo so this will be based on the music alone. (For me at least)

The music starts
I can easily use this song as a ringtone both for its catchy tune and awesome almost acoustic beginning. What say you Pat?

                         Yeah. I have to agree with you there. The beginning of the song is really nice. There’s the whole piano thing completely stirs my interest and keeps me listening. It has a slow, very relaxed instrumental start which is only broken by Sage’s voice.

I think she started the song off on a note lower, making the song sound a bit off key. But I love her high notes.

                           It didn’t sound off key to me…maybe some parts sounded like they could if she was not careful…But she was!

The video
I believe the video has been superbly executed, with a great flash of thighs.

                                      Really? Thighs?? Clearly, your focus was in the wrong place! I thought this was a review of the song? OK…On second thought, you do have a point…

Back to the song!! It is well directed and executed with a very seamless interplay of videos threaded together otherwise known as Continuity.

                                      OK. Surely Bob! What have you just said?

My reader is intelligent and knows what I’m on about.

                                    Really dude? [Glaring]

Anywho! The whole video is nice. I’m not a video person myself but i think it was well directed and organised. It’s not too much for the eyes meaning i can really focus on the song as opposed to video-graphy.
I noticed the guy holding a keyboard like a guitar though. Really? But I guess I can let that slide because it’s such a good song.
Oh! Also the bits with the dogs towards the end [Raised Eyebrow].

The lyrics
                                       Is it the whisper of an angel or the pounding of my heartbeat? is it the playing of a record, where the drumming and the base meet?

Talk about lyrical prowess!
                                        I liked that line too, sounded poetic.

Octopizzo: Wanadai mi nimskinny i need to gain some weight…Wait. Mi ni maskini, my pocket needs to gain weight…

That’s a sample of what you will hear from Octopizzo in the song (Note: I listened to his part like thrice so i could get those lyrics). He’s…well…Himself and has added the whole ghetto-swag thing to the song. I’m still in the process of listening to it for like the millionth time to see if I can get used to his part of the song.
                                           I feel Octopizzo is not adding too much to the existence of the song. His lyrics would have been used in any song. I would have prefered a whole Sage song, but for presence sake, he was a good addition for a collabo.

I really like the lyrics in this song and i think Octopizzo is in line with the theme of the song. However, I am quite confused about Octopizzo’s role in the song. Don’t get me wrong, the guy has rhymes and stuff but…i dunno…something about his particular style of music and his previous tracks just doesn’t sit in well with this particular song for me.

The ending
                                           Low energy!

  I think it was an ideal ending. Chilled out, like the beginning.

Memorable moments
                                           In my mind I still see the couch raised to the wall.
From the video I think it’s the uncanny comparison between life and music that stuck. This is shown by the peaks and valleys similar to those of an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor that’s at the foreground throughout the video. It’s like saying Music=life

Fun Facts
She writes her music.
She is in a Rock band
and she is 1/4 of a century years young

Review by Pat and MaheBob

International Jazz Day Live Celebrations in Kenya

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month (April) which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage.

For the first time in Kenya, the International Jazz Day brings together more than 8 Kenyan Jazz bands, Kenyan jazz enthusiasts, the international Community and corporate partners in celebrating Jazz in Kenya.

International Jazz day at the tree house on 30th April will be hosted by Musician June Gachui and Radio host Jack Ojiambo with live performances from Chris Bittok, Joseph Hellon, Christine Kamau, Different Faces, Christine Kamau Zack Amunga, Ricky na Marafiki Mwai, Kaima Mwiti, Watu Weusi, Jack Asiyo, The Usual Suspects, Kavutha Mwanzia Asiyo among others. Dj Njukey will be the on the decks.

In November 2011, UNESCO officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador.

The event will start from 6.30 pm with tickets going for Ksh. 1,000 available at the door.

Kenyan Afro-Fusion group Sauti Sol

I remember the heydays of ‘Lazizi’ when I sat on that television set awaiting the beat on NTV to hear this new soulful group seduce me with their tune. Then came ‘Blue uniform’, with its video that not so many people have seen, chorus so nice I created a whole compartment in my head for its lyrics. These old Sauti Sol days were lively, refreshing and inspiration. Their inspiration powered me to a point of jotting down a proposal to have a radio show based on Afro fusion music.

When they announced the release of their albums, I already had one in hand ready to sing along during the launches. All the tracks in their album were fantastic, though with the occasional one that sounds a bit misplaced. Either way I would fork the amount needed to get the album. Once, a girl discovered my liking for this music and used it to her advantage. With the tune of ‘Asubuhi’ on her lips, she could get anything she wanted. That was then.

With every release of a new single, I cringe and look to other artists for inspiration. The productions the group branded ‘most celebrated boy’s Afro-fusion group’ and winners of the best group MUSEKE Awards, did back then is floating into oblivion. In my opinion the move to collaborate with P unit for the single Gentleman was where the downfall begun. It was a very viable move from the acquisition of new fans but from my strategic analysis, it signified the deviation of vision.

I write all this after listening to their new release, ‘still the one’. It will get acclamation from some for the fact that it is a Sauti Sol production. My worries come from the almost mediocre and forgettable lyrics, do you even remember what the chorus says? The song is not all bad, the aspect that I liked about it was the throwback moment, the mush up of their various songs into a hook. I respect Sauti Sol and appreciate their kind of music but the patchiness that has mushroomed in their art lately has me questioning, are the afro-fusion kings losing their panache?

By Mahebo Robert
Mahebo has also reviewed Sauti Sol’s 2nd album Sol Filosofia 

Everyone danced to, hummed to or smiled at their song Doo Be Doo. And we all remember Vanish, and later on Chicken to Change. Shall we ever forget Fire Is Low with its dance-able tune? Well, Freshly Ground are back with a new album and this time round, they are Taking you to the Dance Floor!

It is injustice trying to compare ‘Take Me To The Dance’ with the previous albums by this magnificent group, since every album has come with the same style but the message and the music sounds so new to me, if not for the voices, one would swear it is a completely new group every time. The awesome Zolani Mahola opens the first song with her rich vocals, the song Chain Gang being a mix of English and Xhosa and Zulu. ‘When I woke up, there we flies around me, abanya bombo na nga la ngeya..’ The song is a little difficult to decipher if you aren’t South African or don’t understand their languages, but the music is easy to sway to. But maybe not, not the first song on the list inasmuch as I love it, finish that and move onto the next one.

The second song is my favourite. Everything describing how

‘everything I ever wanted was you…. everything I needed wasn’t you.’

It is heartbreak and a disappointment song, but forget the theme, will you just move with the music now? Even with the regret, you get to enjoy it, with the backup singers giving it a touch of emotion that endears it to the listener making it their own personal experience. There is the part where Zolani just hums the tune making this song so touching, and whoever did write it really had their poetry on point.

Are you in love with the strings? Julio “Gugs” Sigauque wows us in the third song with his guitar skills on Nomthandazo, a song I love entirely because of the instrumentals since I don’t understand a single word sang. But there’s that aspect of good music that makes language barriers break down, Nomthandazo achieves exactly this. There is spirituality in the music too, Nomthandazo means ‘mother of prayer.’ I’m not exactly sure, but my not-so-sure second favourite track is the duet between Zolani and Josh Hawks, Not too late for love.

A song combining simple instrumentals and centered on the chorus, to describe the lives and beliefs of the South African people, and the world, with every effort made to make it a sing along song. A beautiful song, with lines like ‘open up a bigger sky, it’s not too late for love,’ definitely the song you want to listen to with family.

The choice for the album title was definitely right, Take me to the Dance floor is a test for Zolani’s vocals. She urges her man to the dance floor, she’s not a child, she’s a lady, and she wants to see him on the move on the floor. You don’t want this song played if your moves aren’t right now, else she won’t be seeing you move, only fidget.

The message is a call to all the people. Track number ten on the list, it is an encouragement to them living under the bridges, them with land afraid of losing, them with a voice to sing in, that the world is theirs. I listen to it every time I feel low, the energy, the positivity is upraising.

This is a 14 track album with a single interlude. Released in late 2012, it is the kind of album you’d carry in your car and listen to over and over again if you got the CD. Freshlyground have delivered as per the standards set when they produced Jikajika and followed Radio Africa with an album just as good, probably better, even though I always remember chicken to change. The video to Take me to the Dance is already out, have a taste.

Review By Sanya Noel