Singing journalist
takes a Bold Step
Edited by: TOSIN AJIRIRE
Saturday,
February 23, 2008
Journalist-turned musician, Michael Alonge has just dropped
a six-tracker entitled “Bold Step”. The young
and dynamic reporter, who started his journalism career in
the defunct Fame Weekly magazine before moving to Tunde Moshood’s
Famous Enquirer, is not only set to dazzle all and sundry
with his singing talent but also to make a statement as perhaps
the first journalist to wax an album.
According to Alonge, he recorded the album in three studios
including Dove Media, Newborn and Eddlyne Entertainment all
in Lagos, having the magic touch of renowned entertainment
gurus like the London-trained Olugbemi Davies, Okanlawon Babatunde,
Sarge and Lanre Bankole-Keysteve.
“In fairness, these people’s sense of professionalism
and aesthetics added credence to this album, that’s
the reason I named it Bold Step,” Michael declared.
With the support of his Mike Mighty Band, Mike has proved
beyond reasonable doubts that he’s an embodiment of
talents.
But how did he come into music? Mike told Blockbuster: “In
September, 1994, a revelation that I would become a musician
was given to me. At that time, I wasn’t in any inch
close to music, I was just trying to play the keyboard. So,
when it was now revealed to me that I would become a musician,
I laughed over it and took it as a child’s play but
it later became my bedrock. All glory to God in heaven. Perhaps,
if I had not worked musically under the tutelage of Seyi Solagbade
a.k.a Black Face; I wouldn’t have been inspired to do
what I am doing today. ”
The Ilesha, Osun State-born prolific writer also informed
that he would do the album launch in his church before any
other place. “The reason is that God is my beginning
and the end. Fifty per cent of whatever accrues from my album
launch is going into my church pulse. It’s a covenant
I made and it must be fulfilled,” Mike said.
When asked what brand of music he plays, Mike was quick to
respond thus: “For someone who has been involved in
music for over a decade, I think it will be wrong to classify
my music. A good musician must be able to sing anything to
glorify God. Highlife, soukos, reggae, Afro on pentatonic
scale, pop, R&B with African fusion etc, are a few of
the styles I can do very well. I won’t call myself a
gospel artist rather I would say I am a musician who sings
contemporary music. But note that all my songs are meant to
correct societal ills.”
The album features songs like “Jesu Loba”, “He’s
Lord”, “Igba Ironu De”, “What Can
I Give?” “Dance! Dance!! Dance!!!” and “Use
Condom”.
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