A care package is in the line for the late Brian Sibalo’s fans with the emergence of his versatile brother Daniel Sibalo who is currently working on his third album in South Africa.
The younger Sibalo storms into the arena at a time the industry is still to recover from the void left by the untimely muting of his brother’s silky, smooth, richly passionate voice and laid-back, jazzy tempo on May 29, 1997.
The SA-based psalmist, who did the lead vocals on Brian’s last album Busa Nkosi, made his debut solo appearance with a full-length album, Have Mercy, Oh Lord, in 2007 ten years after the death of the second generation gospel legend.
He returned with Coming from the Cold in 2011, a joint effort with the late Freedom Sengwayo’s younger brother, Missiondom.
“I am trying to step out of the beaten track and be my own man but there are bound to be traces of Brian’s influence,” said Sibalo.
“However, I have chosen to desist from fetching a ready archive so I wrote most of the tracks on the album,” he said.
The new album features ten tracks including Ndiye Mwari, Vasiri Jesu, Huyai Mose, Fambai Mberi Kwedu, We Thank You Lord and Tisazvinyepera.
Sibalo told Literary Outlook that the forthcoming album is poised to surpass his previous offerings because he is investing ample time in compiling it with the benefit of experience and hindsight.
“The message in the music is powerful it reaches the soul. I have developed musically through working with experienced musicians and I am taking time to perfect this album.
The album is tentatively slated for release at the beginning of next year and is being recorded at his brother Joshua Sibalo’s stable, Ekhukanyeni, where he also recorded his second album.
“I trust God in everything I wouldn’t say I will fill his shoes but that I will go as far as the Lord will take me. It’s my prayer to do the best for my God.
“I am the one who did the lead vocals on Brian’s last album called Busa Nkosi and people say they don’t hear the difference in our voices.”
Daniel shares Brian’s commitment to charity and is the founding head of project of Glad Tidings International Aid whose mission is to furnish the disadvantaged with the basic needs of life, the Word of God and self-sustainable livelihoods.
