Ayanda Sikade – Umakhulu
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ayanda-sikade-umakhulu/
Though he’s been a crucial figure in South African jazz for years, drummer Ayanda Sikade is only now achieving the recognition he’s long deserved—something one could say about the South African scene as a whole, given the increased worldwide profile it’s begun to enjoy in the last few years. His second album as a leader […]
Spirits Rejoice – Electric Chicken
https://amf.didiermary.fr/spirits-rejoice-electric-chicken/
Spirits Rejoice drew together some of South Africa’s most abundantly talented and forward-thinking jazz players and created a complex and challenging jazz fusion that shifted the terms of South Africa’s engagement with jazz towards new music being made by pioneers such as Chick Corea, Weather Report, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny and others. [...]
Zoe Modiga – Inganekwane
https://amf.didiermary.fr/zoe-modiga-lengoma-tubatsi-mpho-moloi/
Inganekwane (“Zulu fairytale”), the second album by Zoe Modiga, released in 2020, is inspired by the theme of self-reflection to reveal messages of identity.
Zoe Modiga born and raised in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, is the quintessential artist who represents the present and future of South African music. Drawing from the human experience, identity and […]
Nobuhle Ashanti – Bait For Steps Forward
https://amf.didiermary.fr/nobuhle-ashanti-bait-for-steps-forward/
Nobuhle Ashanti is a pianist, composer, and recording artist from Cape Town, South Africa. Her debut album – “Bait for Steps Forward” (released in March 2023) – features a wide variety of Cape Town’s leading poets, instrumentalists and vocalists. […]
Next Stop Soweto
https://amf.didiermary.fr/next-stop-soweto-compilations/
“Next Stop Soweto” is a compilation series, to remember an era of South Africa’s musical history where such genres as Funk and Soul were being played by bands even as apartheid firmly gripped the country’s music culture.
Volume 1 explores the vibrant energy of the township jive sound, whilst Volumes 2 and 3 cover [...]
#60smusic #70smusic #80smusic #AfroFunk #Apartheid #Compilation #Jazz #Mbaqanga #SouthAfrica #AfroJazz
Shakes & Les, Mbuxx - Hhay wena Maan Feat. Scotts Maphuma, Uncool MC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPIJG5ZctEE
Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Homeless Live
https://amf.didiermary.fr/joseph-shabalala-ladysmith-black-mambazo-homeless-live/
RIP Dr. Bhekizizwe Joseph Shabalala (28 August 1940 – 11 February 2020), the singer behind the creation of the famous choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Oratorio of a Forgotten Youth
https://amf.didiermary.fr/oratorio-of-a-forgotten-youth/
Inspiré par le travail de grands musiciens comme Jonas Gwangwa et son Amandla Cultural Ensemble, qui a accompli un travail politique important pendant la longue lutte pour l’autodétermination qu’a connue l’Afrique du Sud, l’Amandla Freedom Ensemble est un jalon important pour la tradition du jazz sud-africain. [...]
Siya Makuzeni Sextet – Out of This World
https://amf.didiermary.fr/siya-makuzeni-sextet-out-this-world/
Siya Makuzeni is a professional South African trombone player, vocalist, lyricist and songwriter regularly collaborating with other reknown South African musicians. She’s known for her extensive musical range, vocal dexterity, experimental creativity, and passion for symbiotic cross-genre influences.
Thandi Ntuli – Blk Elijah
https://amf.didiermary.fr/thandi-ntuli-blk-elijah/
“Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë” is the 5th release and 3rd studio album by South African Jazz pianist Thandi Ntuli.
Through her work over a hitherto 13-year career, Thandi has carved space for herself, and others seeking home, to fully exist – thereby firmly situating herself and the contemporary South African generation in […]
The Muffinz rule…
https://amf.didiermary.fr/muffinz-rule-have-you-heard/
“Have You Heard? Have you heard how The Muffinz rule the world?”.
A band from South Africa worth listening to!
The five musicians made a refreshing change from the usual run of the mill rappers and house DJs, who are currently dominating the popular music scene, in that they play real instruments, and they play them […]
Nozinja is a South African producer/DJ and creator of Shangaan Electro.
https://amf.didiermary.fr/nozinja-shangaan-electro-nwa-gezani/
Hugh Masekela – Mace and Grenades / Riot
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mace-grenades-hugh-masekela-riot/
Here’s a 7″ released on Chisa in 1969 “Mace And Grenades / Riot”, directed by Stewart Levine and written by Masekela.
This is the soundtrack of an ongoing revolution.
Yep, Feelin’ it!
#60smusic #Apartheid #HughMasekela #SouthAfrica #Vinyl #AfroJazz
BCUC – Vumani
https://amf.didiermary.fr/bcuc-vumani-2011/
The Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (BCUC) band, formed in 2003, consists of seven musicians from Soweto, South Africa, mixing tradition with Reggae and Hip Hop.
"We draw inspiration from Indigenous music that is not exposed in the mainstream. We sing ritual songs, shebeen songs and church songs infused with raps and a rock and roll attitude. […]
Urban Village – Ubaba
https://amf.didiermary.fr/urban-village-ubaba/
Feet in the tradition, head in the future, Urban Village is the new indie voice of Soweto. Since their Ubaba EP (2021), the four musicians get their inspiration from the rich musical heritage of South African soil. A totally original synthesis of Zulu guitars, indie-folk, maskandi, South African choirs and jazz, all carried along by […]
Hugh Masekela – Grazing in the Grass (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/hugh-masekela-grazing-grass/
Grazing in the Grass for the Fifa Worldcup closing ceremony in 2010. For those who like a lot of cowbells in their music…
The song is found on Masekela‘s 8th studio album: “The Promise of a Future” in 1968. […]
Thandiswa Mazwai – Zabalaza
https://amf.didiermary.fr/thandiswa-mazwai-zabalaza/
“Lah’lumlenze” off the album “Zabalaza” by Thandiswa Mazwai, once the lead singer of genre bending South African band Bongo Maffin.
After five albums with Bongo Maffin, Thandiswa ventured onto a solo career. Her first project, Zabalaza (2004), reached double-platinum status and won numerous awards, including a Kora award for Best African Female and four South […]
Punk in Africa (documentary)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/documentary-punk-africa-2012/
Punk in Africa is a 2012 multilingual African historical punk music film. “Three chords, three countries, one revolution… The documentary is the story of the multiracial punk movement within the recent political and social upheavals experienced in three Southern African countries: South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.”
In these societies, [...]
#Documentary #Mozambique #Punk #Ska #SouthAfrica #Zimbabwe #Global
Shangaan goes global…
https://amf.didiermary.fr/shangaan-goes-global/
South Africa has been for many years at the forefront of tradi-modern music, mixing ancient music styles and electro, House music mainly (e.g. Kwaito).
From traditional Shangaan music was born Shangaan Electro with producers like Nozinja, seen in this short documentary…
A dance movement and musical style born from [...]
Batsumi (1974)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/batsumi-apartheid/
Many years after the fall of Apartheid, Batsumi remains sublime… and transformative, and its resonance hasn’t faded at all over the years.
During the brutal era in South African history known as Apartheid, the minority-white ruling party forcibly moved millions of black South Africans from their homes to segregated areas, stripping them of their citizenship […]
#70smusic #Apartheid #FullAlbum #SouthAfrica #AfroJazz #Jazz
Zawadi Yamungu - Ngimuhle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeQ_T5JFJU
"The song is an affirmation to women of all shapes and sizes."
Her stage name (Zawadi Yamungu) is a Swahili name meaning Gift from God. She plays the Zulu uMakhweyana or Ugubhu bows.
Professor Rhythm 3 (1991)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/professor-rhythm-1991/
The 1991 record “Professor 3” by Professor Rhythm is a vivid reflection of urban South Africa as apartheid was ending. Thami Mdluli’s production project had young and old dancing to a sound that sought to unite Blacks within Southern Africa. The late 1970’s and 80’s had been trying times for people of color. […]
Nyege Nyege Tapes – Music for the Eagles
https://amf.didiermary.fr/nyege-nyege-tapes-music-eagles/
East African Underground shows a group of innovative artists throughout the region, trying to build a creative community and share their future-forward music, pushing boundaries.
“Music for the Eagles” is one of their experiments. From the Horn down to Mozambique – visionary music runs deep across East Africa.
#Kenya #Mixtape #Nigeria #SouthAfrica #Tanzania #Uganda #Electro #Rap
Dorothy Masuka – Nhingirikiri / Khawuleza
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dorothy-masuka-nhingirikiri/
Dorothy Masuka, South African/Zimbabwean veteran jazz singer, performing at a memorial service in honour of jazz maestro Hugh Masekela.
Born 3 September 1935, in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), she died 23 February 2019, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Still time to discover GQOM!
https://amf.didiermary.fr/faka-south-africa-gqom/
If you loved Kwaito, GQOM is its sibling: ghetto house music meets Kuduro and more, with style.
FAKA “is a South African performance art duo, founded by Desire Marea and Fela Gucci, dealing with issues of the black queer body.”
#AfroHouse #GQOM #Kwaito #LGBTQ #Soundcloud #SouthAfrica #Electro
