Track number one of Joe Wailer's album is a tribute to Joseph Hill. Musicians Joe Wailer and Eyahra Mathazia's latest reggae albums will appeal more to their fans than to those who have never listened to their music.

The reason is you have to be a patient listener to be able to appreciate and enjoy the music, which is certain to have something to strike everyone's fancy.

I took time to listen to the two albums - Wailer's "Not Afraid" and Eyahra's "Jah Worx" - and, quite honestly, both artistes are good on the beat but when it comes to lyrics, it takes a whole lot of patience.

 Having said that, it is good that reggae music is growing with each passing day and the artistes continue to produce fresh sounds to the ears, which is why the albums have something for everyone.

The album "Not Afraid" comprises 12 tracks that are purely reggae in sound.

Track number one is a tribute to Joseph Hill and it is easy to see why Wailer opened with this track, simply because I believe he is a big fan of Hill.

While the beat is sort of groovy, Wailer laces weak vocals on the track, something that will either lure the listener or make them lose interest.

"I'm Not Afraid" is a nice tune and Wailer exhibits some talent in song writing while "Play Reggae Music" is a better track in terms of arrangement and message.

"Beautiful Woman" is one of the good songs on the album and it has got that reggae feel which is mature and soft.

The song "Our Liberation Struggle" is simply a gem and like all songs on Zimbabwe's independence, it relates to everyone and the story was laid out nicely with a hard to ignore bass.

"Sarudzai", which is the second song sung in Shona, says love is a wonderful thing that needs seriousness and commitment.

It, however, says when a man loves a woman he should do so wholeheartedly.

Another tribute song is dedicated to Kirsty Coventry and Elliot Mujaji.

Wailer pays homage to the two athletes for raising the Zimbabwean flag high.

I have always known Empress Eyahra as an actress but when I listened to her album I was convinced that she is a talented and versatile artiste.

The album is laid back but tight on both lyrics and sound.

To appreciate her vocal clarity you have to listen to the album from start to finish.

Each song teaches you something about life and love for one another.

Songs such as "Psalm 125" (Jah Worx), "Expel The Bully," "Reggae Party" and "Rise Up Afrika" are pure conscious tracks.

But on second thoughts, it appears some of the messages in the songs have to do with her life experiences.

But being a woman, Empress Eyahra also extols the virtues of womanhood in songs such as "Check Me Now", where she urges people not to judge her because of what they see, "Sistah Salute" and "Leave The

Weave" where she talks about the importance of natural beauty. She condemns the artificial hair that women wear and speaks against bleaching the skin.

The song "Babylon Bring Black Babies Home" is about expatriation of Africans. She sings: "Africa's heart was stolen, five centuries ago today, it was taken with the children when the slave ships sailed away, empty hollow she remained. Africa is tired of being alone. You stole them away. Bring them back I say."

It appears Empress Eyahra is more of a conscious singer than dancehall, which is why her music sounds mature and raw.