WITH her debut album Ndawo Yami, Zamajobe Sithole has announced her arrival on the continent's music scene.

First, there is her astonishingly beautiful voice, which captivates with ease, and leaves listeners smitten in its powerful wake. Zamajobe has never been one for strident. On Ndawo Yami (released through Sony BMG Music Entertainment/Giant Steps) Zamajobe uses her voice at times sparingly, often with a slightly breathless edge, and with just enough emotion to talk directly to the heart.

Next, there is Zamajobe's ability to dominate a stage with the ease of an individual born to entertain. Her way with a song on a live stage was first evident on 2003's Idols contest where the singer made it into the Top 10 and, during her performances, earned a devoted network of fans.

And then, there is Zamajobe's song writing gift, which is on excellent display throughout the album. In many ways, it's this that she's most elated about: "I have been singing and performing for years now," she says, "but I've never been able to showcase my song writing ability before now which makes the album such an important project in my life."

Guitarist Eric Pilani provides the thread that joins all 12 tracks together on the album. "I would sing something to Eric and he would transfer it to the guitar, and we would expand the song from there. Even though I have been playing the guitar for a few years, having Eric, who is so experienced, as my collaborator, meant the process just flowed and I think we have come up with songs that people will love."

The album is fresh and engaging - moving expertly between a broad swathe of genres - jazz, folk, traditional, Latino even, pop and, in moments, adult contemporary. The songs are diverse with the likes of "Ye Wena Sani" (a township-lingo driven, rootsy piece) sitting comfortably alongside "Wondering", featuring gentle guitar work and breathy vocals.

And these are just some of the most captivating tracks on an album that is never short on musical magic. "Ndawo Yami" is another exquisite offering: a track that showcases Zamajobe's highly evocative voice, gently moving across a musical bed that gradually adds layer after layer of instrumentation to create a song of pure beauty. "Come With Me" is yet another song that benefits from a restrained production hand, always allowing Zamajobe's lyrics to pull the listener in, again and again, on the wings of the artist's delicately restrained voice.

But Ndawo Yami also benefits from a variety of musical moods. "Taxi Ride" is underpinned by a Latino bedrock that moves Zamajobe's voice into different territory; a place where it's upbeat and rhythmical in a way that adds a bold new dimension to the song. "African Girl" is similarly uplifting, flowing with ease in song that pays positive homage to African girls throughout the continent, in all their beauty and intelligence.

Background
Zamajobe represented South Africa at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005, one of five African artists to be nominated, the only South African as well as the only woman to compete in the first ever Best African Act category.

She received four South African Music Awards nominations in 2005, including Best Newcomer, Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best Joint Composition (with producer, Erik Pilani), and Best Engineer (Robin Kohl/Jazzworx).

Both music videos for the singles, "Magic" and "Ndawo Yami" were nominated in the Best Music Video category for Sama 2006 – with "Magic" taking the prize.

Zamajobe cites renowned performer and preacher, Pastor Benjamin Dube as a significant influence. "I joined Pastor Benjamin's church when I was eight and it wasn't long after that, that I sang for the church and Pastor Benjamin asked me to join the choir, where I remained for a long time."

Although gospel music has exerted a powerful influence on Zamajobe, as a teenager there were other forms of music that crept into her life. "My dad was very open to all forms of music and so I grew up listening to funk, and jazz and many others."

Zamajobe says it "took guts" to enter Idols. "I never thought I would win but just entering took a great deal of guts! And even though I didn't take the first spot, it gave me the platform to be noticed."

She recently collaborated with jazz master Lee Ritenour and is featured on three tracks on his latest album title Smoke n' Mirrors.

Zamajobe is currently working on her second album.