Idols SA man tests the water

Season nine Idols SA winner Musa Sukwene's mini album, available exclusively to Samsung smartphone users, is out.

It is just two weeks since the 26-year-old from Mpumalanga triumphed over Brenden Ledwaba for the title, so it would have been absurd to expect a fully fledged debut album from him before Christmas.

So, instead of an original, earth-moving album to make the industry take notice, he is easing into the business.

The five-track album, available via Universal Music's Kleek app, has Sukwene covering Labi Siffre, Ringo Madlingozi, DJ Vetkuk, Mahoota, Dr Malinga and little-known Jamie Shaw.

Here's a track-by-track review:

• When You Believe. It's a simple ballad. Very minimal production. It will leave you feeling fuzzy with its cushy vocals.
• I Still Feel It. Like all winning songs on American Idol, Pop Idol, Idols SA, X Factor and The Voice, it's very sentimental.
• Ngiyagodola. The guy performed this Ringo hit a million times over the course of the competition, and it was always a shoo-in for this digitally released mini album.
• Something Inside So Strong. This Labi Siffre classic has enjoyed a resurgence since Lira recorded it for her hit album Rise Again.

• Via Orlando. A recording of one of Sukwene's live performances of the hit house song. We doubt he will be going the house-cum-dance genre in future.