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By Chinonso Ihekire
Gideon Olajide’s latest instrumental medley, Hymnal Reflections, opens with rousing Yoruba folk percussion, connecting local pot drum patterns with deep highlife-facing basslines to usher in the first track, a standout cover of the popular Christian hymn, “Old Rugged Cross”, setting the tone for the entire Christian worship groove.
In the medley, Olajide, professionally known as Gideon Guitar, centers the entire performance around the guitar, directing the supporting instruments and vocal sections to emphasise his lead phrasing. On the surface, it rings off as an airy and uplifting tune, but beneath those riffs are layers of tonal shifts that elevate the song’s musicality.
From “Old Rugged Cross”, Gideon Guitar segues to other Christian hymns like “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” and “Blessed Assurance”, transitioning with uptempo highlife-facing instrumental fill passages that colour the medley with the airy feel established earlier. Perhaps the most exciting synergy in Hymnal Reflections is the harmony between the percussion and the guitar. Like a relay race, both musical sections interoperate the lead transitions, exchanging batons at different points in the song.
Gideon Guitar’s emphasis on familiar local melody lines, especially in his folk- and highlife-facing percussion and riffs, makes the record more relatable to a growing African gospel music audience. His suspenseful transitions, clever phrasing, and use of backing vocals stand out as core pillars of the track.
Wielding the guitar, he showcases strong command of dynamic range, often sizzling his tempos during verses while reserving more dramatic, louder riffs for transitions and choruses. It feels as though he instinctively understands when to play and when to let the guitar breathe, allowing other melodic lines to shine. The listener is easily immersed in the intrigues of the drums and vocal harmonies, while remaining captivated by Gideon Guitar’s riffs.
In all, Gideon Guitar’s arrangement and composition pave the way for the record to unlock catharsis in its listener, while also heightening its overall replay value. The medley grounds to a halt with another refix of “Old Rugged Cross”, this time sung and phrased in Yoruba. He plays a chord melody that rubber-stamps the prowess of the electric guitar, as his fingers bounce between loose jazzy and subtle rock ’n’ roll chords.
He massages the song’s overall groove, with backing chorales soulfully pacing the performance to a close. The record finally ends with a standout drum solo that glosses over the song’s rich blend of heritage and cultural depth.
Overall, Hymnal Reflections feels like a special tune, brimming with powerful didactic themes, thoughtful arrangement and composition, strong ensemble synergy, effective use of a backing choir, and memorable creative guitar phrasing. Gideon Guitar weaves all his strengths together for a grand showing of his evolving virtuosity.
In Hymnal Reflections, he places emphasis on rhythm and pace, slowing the listener with intention while driving melodies aimed at retention. It is a bespoke, culturally charged medley, buttered with emotional intensity and a harmonious blend of melodies that easily positions it among fan favourites in contemporary African gospel music. It sits at 8/10.
Gideon Tobi Olajide, also known as Gideon Guitar, is a Nigerian-born guitarist and composer based in the United Kingdom, where he has built a strong career as a performer and musical collaborator. He began his music journey in 2013 as a church pianist and frequently played highlife and tungba at local events in Osun State.
He spent his early years studying the work of players he admired, including George Benson, Earl Klugh, Agboola Shadare, and Sammy Guitar. Over time, he developed a balanced style that draws from jazz, Nigerian contemporary music, and gospel traditions. His professional career began in Nigeria, where he performed at concerts, church events, and major gatherings alongside artists such as Bisi Alawiye Aluko, Elijah Daniel, Kayefi, and Adedoyin Oseni.
After relocating to the UK, he continued to work across both countries, appearing at events including the Welcoming Culture Celebrations in Sheffield, Culture Club, and Tales and Tunes with Kayefi, among many other engagements. He also holds a Master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain from Sheffield Hallam University, and while studying, remained active as a performer within the growing African music community in Sheffield.
Gideon Guitar presently serves as the lead guitarist at RCCG Freedom Centre in the United Kingdom. Beyond performance, he is committed to supporting young guitarists, mentoring several up-and-coming players by helping them build confidence, improve technique, and understand what it means to play effectively in live settings.
