Cape Town World Music Festival

Adamu (Angola, SA)

Adamu da Silva was born in the Sambizanga area in Luanda, the capital city of Angola, on the 11th of May, Adamu took great interest in music at an early age being inspired by his elder brother. At the age 6 he started to play the guitar.

Coming from a country rich in musical heritage – this is reflected in his original compositions – an Afro-Latin fusion of musical styles and languages. Adamu sings in Portuguese, French, English, Spanish, Kimbundo, Kicongo and other central African languages. A versatile performer, his sets range in feel from high-energy Semba, kwasa kwasa and afro-beat to more gentle jazz and African ‘world’ music. Adamu has shared stages with African giants Manu Dibango, Salif Keita, Ismael Lo, and has supported Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Tracy Chapman on tour. Often performing solo, where he gets to exhibit his soulful, evocative voice, duo with sax or drum-percussion, trio and his full band, that one experiences Adamu’s full musical scope and exuberance.

http://adamudasilva.com/press.html

Pops Mohamed & OluFemi
(The Millennium Experience)

Apart from working in their 5 piece band as Pops Mohamed and Friends, Pops Mohamed and OluFemi have embarked on forming a duo group consisting of traditional African musical instruments (Pops Mohamed).. alto and tenor saxophones including trumpet and the classical flute (OluFemi). This duo group is known as The Millennium Experience.
They have been playing together for more than 3 years and have travelled extensively in and around South Africa, wowing fans with their mystical futuristic sound. The Millennium Experience also uses this platform to feature other artists, especially the young and upcoming, to showcase their talents. OluFemi featured on one of Pops Mohameds earlier videos on a beautiful song entitled ‘Staying in Touch’, which was a dedication to the now late great bassist Sipho Gumede.

Pops and OluFemi are also heavily involved in workshops, encouraging aspiring musicians and poets to be dedicated and serious about their musical future. In these workshops they demonstrate their skills and pass it on to the young ones by teaching them how to play some of these exotic in instruments in many different styles, including hip hop and kwaito to name but a few.

This year has been a busy year for the duo as they are becoming more in demand. As a result of this success they are planning to record their debut album as a duo group and calling it The Millennium Experience. They have also been invited to perform in Eritrea and Lagos later this year.

DJ Click
Band (France)

Dj ClicK sets sail on an electro Gypsy feverish odyssey from the fringes of Rajasthan to the tablas of Seville.

Welcome in a 21st-century folklore with the timbre of Valentina Casula’s vibrant voice is the multilingual Ariadne’s thread guiding the rhythmic vessel through the labyrinth of Indian, Serb, Romanian, Neapolitan, and Andalusian landscapes. Passengers dance in a jubilatory ring with the Balkan violin virtuoso Serioja Mihai, pairing with the tabla and harmonium of India prodigy Amrat Hussein.

This show traces the path and patrimony of the Roma people, weaving an aura of a Thousand and One Nights, meandering like an exhilarating « Latcho Drom », steeping entire chapters of Far Eastern heritage in electronic ecstasy.

LIVE PERFORMERS
Dj ClicK programming, turntables, theremin | FRA
Valentina Casula vocal, sampling | IT
Serioja Mihai violin | ROM
Amrat Hussain tabla, vocal | IN

Spoek
Mathambo (SA)

Spoek Mathambo is the stage name of South African musician (Singer-Rapper- Producer-DJ), Nthato Mokgata. At the vanguard of a new wave of African artists, Spoek is hitting the world hard with his take on Afro-futurism. His unique vision on electronic music, infuses futurism with a strong sense of pride in where he comes from. It is clearly African music, but like none that has ever been heard or made before. The Johannesburg native started rapping at the young age of 10 and was as much influenced by 90s American rap as the growing wave of Johannesburg rap most energetically exhibited on the YFM radio show, The Rap Activity Jam. Spoek had his own entrance into the music industry upon his move to Cape Town in 2003, through a long creative collaboration with the already prominent South African DJ, Sibot, who mentored the young artist and helped him develop his skills as a recording and performing artist.

Spoek Mathambo had his first official release in collaboration with Sibot and Watkin Tudor Jones (of Die Antwoord) as part of the album project, The Fantastic Kill. Mathambo went on to have his early, more ‘club’ music released on some of the most prominent underground dance music labels such as Mad Decent, Boys Noize Records, Shitkatapult, Get Physical and Man Recordings. Prominence in the scene was resultant of his energetic collaborating: from long collaborations ones such as Sweat.X and Playdoe and with Schlachthofbronx and Cerebral Vortex; to one off collaborations with Diplo, Robyn, Adam Tensta, Sekta, Douster, Djedjotronic, Matt Shadetek and Missill.

In August 2010, Spoek Mathambo released his debut album Mshini Wam on BBE Records, which would begin to hint at the artist’s width of styles and influences. With Mshini Wam (as well as his HIVIP mix series), Spoek Mathambo coined the genre/style Township Tech, a way of describing his own as well as his contemporaries’ work in furthering the soundscape of South African house music. The Mshini Wam album garnered much critical and fan acclaim, which was partly due to the vibrant music videos that were released in support of the music.

The video for ‘Control’ (a cover of Joy Division’s She’s Lost Control), which was produced in collaboration with Pieter Hugo and Michael Cleary, won a Young Director Award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, a Gold Award at the Loeries (South Africa’s premier creative industry award) and has been featured at a number of film festivals across the world.

Following the release of his debut, Spoek Mathambo enjoyed a sizeable amount of press coverage from a Fader Magazine cover feature, to favorable reviews and stories in The Guardian, Spin Magazine, Urb, XL8R, Dazed Digital, Big Shot Magazine, DJ Mag, and NME amongst others. Spoek has been closely collaborating and touring with the Copenhagen based producer Chllngr as well as his Cape Town based live band (also called) Mshini Wam, and has toured extensively in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Poland and Portugal.In 2011, Spoek Mathambo signed a multi-album deal with the legendary Seattle-based imprint, Sub Pop (Postal Service, The Shins, Nirvana, Beach House, Coco Rosie) and has already completed work on his sophomore album, which he produced and recorded between the USA, South Africa and Sweden. The resulting album Father Creeper signaled the maturing of Spoek Mathambo’s artistry, having undertaken more production duties on the project as well as having recorded with his live band.

What’s coming next ?

Spoek is going to studio in September to work with Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) on a collaboration. This will be followed by a tour with Damon Albarn’s Africa Express (africaexpress.co.uk/) which will feature artists including Tony Allan, Nneka, Amadou & Mariam, Baloji, Charli XCX, Fatoumata Diawara, Jupiter & Okwess International, Kano, Bassekou Kouyate, Baaba Maal, The Noisettes, Bombay Bicycle Club, Rokia Traoré and Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Following this, Spoek Mathambo will come back to South Africa as he is about to set the summer of 2012 alight with the release of his third album in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment Africa. This release will be accompanied with performance dates from October 2012 – January 2013.

Oliver
Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe)

Mtukudzi began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo. Their single, “Dzandimomotera”, went gold and Tuku’s first album followed, which was also a major success. Mtukudzi is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa’s “supergroup”.

With his husky voice, he has become the most recognized voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe’s KoreKore tribe, Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sings in the nation’s dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as “Tuku Music”. Mtukudzi has had a number of tours around the world. He has been on several tours in the UK, US and Canada to perform for large audiences.

Unlike Mapfumo, Mtukudzi has refrained from directly criticizing the government of President Robert Mugabe. However, some of his most emotive hits prodded the aging authoritarian ruler, including “Ndakuvara,” which bemoans the political violence engineered by Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party and “Wasakara (You Are Getting Old),” which most Zimbabweans took as a direct plea for Mugabe to retire.

He is the father of five children and has two grandchildren.Two of his children are also musicians. His son Sam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010.[2][3]Mtukudzi also has four sisters and one brother, who died.

Sylvestre Kabassidi
in the Bottle (Congo Republic, SA)

Sylvestre Samba Kabassidi is a rebel with a sensitive, humble soul who draws his inspiration from a source that very few songwriters have the courage to access and explore. He is a poet who speaks effortlessly of frailty, courage, love and hope and his music defies the barriers of learned language. Whether he sings in French, Lari or English, he has the ability to convey his message and be understood, not on a cerebral level but in an emotional sanctuary where it resonates more deeply. His music breaks stereotypes and takes African song in new directions, yet universal and sophisticated but rooted in tradition.

Bholoja
(Swaziland, Zambia)

Mbongiseni Ngubane aka Bholoja is a very gifted, humble and celebrated young musician from Africa’s southern kingdom, Swaziland. His striking multi-colored voice and his native lyrical songs has won respect and expanded his following across national borders. Bholoja is Swaziland’s rising symbol of song, art and culture. His greatest inspiration is Swazi tradition and way of life.

Bholoja’s music seeks is to ensure that an essential part of our cultural heritage does not fall victim to historical neglect. His music responds to the global changing situation and African growth challenges. Bholoja is a mouthpiece of the poor, orphaned, AIDS victims and underprivileged, with a message of HOPE.

Bholoja’s brand of music called Swazi Soul is fast gaining popularity in Swaziland and in Southern Africa. It is very difficult to classify Bholoja’s music; it sits well in many genres – African Pop, Traditional African, Swazi Soul. One thing for sure, his music fits as a social narrative, speaking to the very conscience of the listener. Yet apart from the individuality of his music, Bholoja’s enduring popularity is largely a result of his powers as a lyricist. Most of his songs focus on the social and economic issues that govern people’s daily lives and, with an infectious sense of humor and optimism that prevails through all his music, his appeal extend to young and old alike.

Dirty
Bounce (SA)

Sure its a gig for now, but its also a proclamation. Every now and then, proclamations should be proclaimed to add depth – So, Ladies and Gentlemen, we proudly proclaim our movement, Dirty Bounce!

The Nomadic Orchestra with their balkan fusion dance beats, will push through the barriers of your struggling conscious mind and make you move your arse.

Mr Cat & the Jackal will bring new stories of apocalyptic events with some humour and homemade instruments to show all your friends.

The Bone Collectors will be slinging their home brewed brand of ribcage-rattling offbeat boogie and blue hues.

For some time now it at has been obvious to several people that these bands belong together in some way.

Some time ago, in the early stages of the bands career, The Bone Collectors played some shows with Mr. Cat & The Jackal. This later led to the Bone Collectors deciding on recording at The Fresh Meat Studio, Mr. Cat & The Jackal’s home base, run by Jacques ‘Draak’ du Plessis. It was clear to Roland Hunter, frontman of the Bones, that this was the right creative space for them to record, and so embarked on the journey, which should be completed soon.

The Nomadic Orchestra was first exposed to Mr. Cat & The Jackal at Rocking The Daisies 2010 when they played before Mr. Cat at the “New World Beat Barn.” The Following year Ma’or Harris of Balkanology and The Beanstalk events management company, who organized the New World music line up, approached both bands and suggested they do a Collaboration show. Since then, the bands have enjoyed several successful collaboration shows. These shows were well received not only at RTD 2011, but also at some Balkanology parties and even a wedding.

The Nomadic Orchestra and The Bone Collectors are firstly connected by a shared member, Gabriel (Gawie) du Toit, but also enjoy each others‘ style and performances and have played some gigs together.

Other than these obvious ties, there is a definite freshness to these three acts that instantly put them in the same group. A general disregard for what is supposed to be “commercially viable”music and a love for the unique and scarce. This will be an event to see and hear live, as it wont happen again soon.

The Brother
Moves On (SA)

The Brother Moves On (TBMO) are the ghost inside the magic, the stranglers of an innocent idea of bringing performance art to its knees through music and storytelling as a playful site specific.

Theatrical performance. The music can be described as post folk psychedelic rock genre of Afrique indie kids who boldly claim their heritage as part of a transition generation in South Africa. The name of this collective is derived from David Simon’s “The Wire” character the “The Brother”, a silent assassin in a transient space.

Zaki Ibrahim
Feat. Mr. Sakitumi(SA)

Globally distinguished singer Zaki Ibrahim is a conceptual genius. Even before the completion of her most recent release Every Opposite, she was already fleshing out the accompanying theatre production and short film – rearranging its details scene by scene.

The stage show for Every Opposite draws on Zaki’s multi-dimensional talents as storyteller, performing artist, director, choreographer, fashion icon and individually talented vocalist. For her, visuals must be as expressive as the music is. In this case, the visionary fusion of artistic disciplines is aimed at transporting the listener to the centre of the “semi-fictional”, apocalyptic world that her new collection of music evokes.

Transporting audiences to new and forgotten territories is a central part of the Zaki experience. Over the course of two EPs, 2006’s Sho: Iqra in Orange and 2008’s Eclectica: Episodes in Purple, Zaki’s blend of arresting melodies, illuminating lyrics and innovative beats invited collaborations from acclaimed artists and producers such as King Britt, DJ Spinna, Nick Holder, Spoek Mathambo and Boddhi Satva, to name a few.

Zaki, a South African citizen, was born in Vancouver, Canada, and grew up both in Canada’s left coast as well as South Africa’s Western Cape. Her mother, an English teacher and poet, blessed her with the mastery of language and a gift for imagination. Her father, an exiled, eccentric, freedom-fighting South African, banged out rhythms on her baby chest to lull her to sleep as a child. Hence her confident sense of rhythm and flair for magical spontaneity. “The first lessons I learnt about music were from drumming,” she remembers. “And you can’t think about drumming when you doing it. Then it becomes something else.”

While operating outside the confines of genre, which for her is as ridiculous as racial classification, Zaki has a distinct hip-hop sensibility which she also credits to her father: “He said to me that this would be the thing to hold everything together. It’s an expression of free thought, like jazz is.”

In 2005 Zaki, as part of the District Six Music collective joined the African Way Tour with K’Naan, Tumi and the Volume and DJ Nana. She performed at the Black Lily Film and Music Festival in 2008, opened shows for Erykah Badu, Saul Williams, Mos Def and appeared at 2010’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Meanwhile, her second release Eclectica:Episodes in Purple cemented her reputation as a dynamic talent, earning her a Juno Award nomination for Best R&B Recording in 2009 for the song Money. The Afro-house remix, by Philadelphia beat scientist King Britt broke further boundaries for Zaki, breaking into the UK nu-jazz scene thanks to Bugz in the Attic spins.

With Every Opposite, Zaki has further distilled her wide-ranging palette into a potent singular strain. She can reel off a list of icons like Michael Jackson, Prince, Lionel Richie, Sade, Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba, Bobby McFerrin, Zap Mama, Radiohead, Madlib and J. Dilla counting them as inspiration. Her uniqueness, however, is in her ability to meld those fragments into a cohesive sound.

Towards this end, she carefully selected a cast of characters, including Kenyan producer Wawesh (Just a Band, Muthoni the Drummer Queen) and South London production team LV. The core of the project was produced by Tiago of Tumi and the Volume and 340ml fame. “Zaki has an extraordinary voice and no instrument – not even an orchestra – would be able to compete with it,” says Tiago. “So it was logical that to balance these songs, percussive instruments would be the way forward. Sort of like having Zaki’s voice fighting a million drums, on top of a melodic bed of music.” The result is an album that sounds so impossibly diverse, it could have been recorded in the 80s, 90s, or some time in the future – all delivered in a trademark mix of whip appeal and urgency that makes it heartfelt and sensuous at the same time.

Freshlyground (SA)

Boom
Pam (Israel)

Tel Aviv based band Boom Pam was formed in 2003. The unique power trio, consisted of electric guitar, tuba and drums plays a fusion of Surf Rock with Mediterranean rhythms in a mantle of intoxicating gypsy melodies.

The band covered a large distance throughout the country playing clubs, bars, live venues and music festivals. Their live act successfully excited private parties and impressed black tie concert halls.

Memorable highlights were warming up for the reunion show of legendary band “Minimal Compact” as well as Emir Kusturitza’s “Non Smoking Orchestra” and showcasing at WOMEX 2006 (the World Music Expo), which all launched their worldwide touring career.

Boom Pam’s debut album was recorded in Frankfurt on the German label “Essay Recordings”. The band co-produced the album with DJ Shantel. This LP was released during the spring of 2006 and is being distributed throughout the World. The album went straight into the top ten list of the European World Music Charts. 
Second album “Puerto Rican Nights” was released in 2008 by “Essay Recordings” as well.

Back in Israel, the band kept being involved in numerous projects like artistic collaborations with the New York based band the Balkan Beat Box and the “Bat-Sheva” Dance Ensemble, recording music for films and releasing several radio hit singles.

Their debut show in North America was at the “Global FEST” 2007 held in NYC, followed by a tour throughout the US and Canada, opening for the legendary Ventures in California, playing in the Winnipeg folk festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival

2010 was a creatively busy and successful year for the band. Performing at the largest festivals all over Israel, opening for the “Gogol Bordello”, and playing with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ilan Volkov. Most importantly “Alakazam” their 3rd album was released at Tel Aviv based label “Audio Montage”, immediately producing two radio hit singles.
Later the same year the band spent some time across the globe. Performing at some of the most appreciated festivals in the world like SXSW, Med, and Mundial, toured Argentina which included opening for Matisyahu, and premier in the UK.

Recently, the highly acclaimed video artist Kutiman, collaborated with the band, creating a music video for one of their hit singles “Light Up”, is promoted by the NYC based PR/ Marketing company “Giant Step”.

Band Website – http://www.boompam.org

Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/boompam

EPK – http://www.sonicbids.com/boompan

Fletcher (SA)

Fletcher is one of South Africa’s pioneering Dj’s and electronic music producers.

Never content to get stuck in any one genre, you’re just as likely to hear him dropping the cutting edge of dubstep, drum n bass and bass heavy break breaks as spinning his gran’s collection of swing jazz, funk and latin.

He has rocked clubs and festivals in every corner of the globe with his unique style, from Rio to Rotterdam, Zurich to Zambia.

As a co-founder of African Dope Records he is responsible for bringing some of Cape Town’s finest underground sounds to a global audience. www.africandope.co.za

As a member of Krushed & Sorted, he continues to push the boundaries of live audio-visual performance. www.youtube.com/krushedandsorted

Fletcher continues to write music for films and commercials, specializing in eclectic electronic compositions and hi-end sound design.

He is endorsed by Native Instruments [Traktor Scratch] and AKAI [APC40] and is Ableton Live’s biggest groupie.

http://www.mynameisfletcher.com/

Kanimambo (SA)

Is a world music project featuring experienced musicians from Congo, Israel, Mozambique and South Africa based in Cape Town. They bring the essence of African Music from different parts of the Continent and of the Caribbean Islands as well.

Kanimambo can bring to your event a good atmosphere warmth and a lot of happiness through the music genres they perform such as: Rumba, Kwassa-kwassa, Zouk, Reggae, Afro-Latin, Highlife music and a vibrant performance. This band has a beautiful dynamic to bring you from the dining room to the dance floor.

The band is composed of four main members as the spine of the band and can expand to eight piece band if needed.

Larry Joe
Live (SA)

Larry Joe Live is the much acclaimed band of Larry Joe, who recorded his debut album in the Douglas prison and released it when he was released in 2010. This 5-piece band is comprised of some of South Africa’s hottest musicians! With elements of soul, Afro pop, and R&B their sound is infectious and unforgettable.

Rumspringer (SA)

Rumspringer are a brand new, slamming 1920′s Electro-swing outfit based in Cape Town, South Africa.

A “get-up and have-it” band with deep electro beats, a tinge of Balkan with a front-line holding sax, trumpet and trombone, layered with French guitar work and wild percussion.
This Hot 6 piece consists of Carla Louw on vocals, Trombone and guitars from The McDonald’s brothers at Hey Papa Legend studios with Lee “Lips” Thompson on Trumpet, Simon Bates on Sax, Israeli genius Joe Congo on percussion and Andrew F playing the big back-beats.

Rumspringer was conceived by “The Sunroom”….Mr Hutton and Mr Florenca, the naughty creators of Vaudeville and Renegade Bingo.

Taleswapper (SA)

“Contrary to the nursery rhyme Taleswappers words can break your bones and if they don’t break your bones they will positively break your heart…” (bio for oppikoppi)

A sound bread from the swamps, doused in booze and bleeding Taleswapper, fronted by Donny Truter , dines with the devil…( extract from vigaro magazine)

Taleswapper ( Donny Truter) before the music is a poet. Add jacques du plessis and jc visser {MR Cat and the Jackal}  you are transported deep into the hardship of a thirties chain gang and, to quote from a taleswapper chorus, ” the blues from the howl of hells hollow” ( introduction used at replay jeans corporate after party)

Manouche (SA)

Manouche got together as the result of a mutual love for the style of music called gypsy jazz. The band consists of Bernard Kotze(Guitar), Anneli Kamfer(Vocals), Renee Stander(Violin), Lize Dekker(Accordion), Sarah Blake(Double Bass) and David Parker(Drums). Together they bring the style into the 21st Century by blending and experimenting with different style while retaining the all important, and highly addictive, gypsy groove.

Kongo
Elektro (SA)

Electronic soukous infused programming and live looping to reinvent African dance music. Sampling from Fela to Phoenix to Frank Sinatra and beyond!

Kongo Elektro is Daniel Eppel, (USA/RSA) Mapumba (DRC/RSA)

Mantras4
ModernMan

South African Rus Nerwich began playing music a little later than most who pursue music as a career, at the age of 18 Rus began to learn Saxophone and then went to study at the University of Cape Town Jazz program. Upon leaving in 2001 he recorded his first album As Above So Below, performing in Argentina and London. In 2003 he recorded Beyond the walls, an unprecedented interpretation of music composed in the Ghettos and Camps of Europe. This album was hailed by audiences and critics alike.

2005 saw the birth of Mantras4ModernMan a world music/jazz fusion project that resulted in 2 albums. Nerwich has performed this as well as Beyond the Walls annually in Europe with performances in Belgium, France, Czech Republic and Italy.

In 2008, Under the Poetree was released, here and for the first time Rus explored the electronic medium, mixing it with acoustic and live instruments as well as drawing from a diverse range of more contemporary influences, including hip hop and soul elements.

The album was nominated for a SAMA award in the Urban Pop category with highlight performances at the Cape Town International Jazz fest as well as a host of other premium Festivals in South Africa.

With a debut tour to Israel in 2011, Nerwich also started to finish the production of based on his children’s story “One Fine Day, Love Came to Visit”. As he puts it, “If black man in New York in 1955, this is what he would have made”

2011 saw the recording of a new album entitled “The Wondering Who” an exploration of Free improvisation, the album in due for release later this year.

Sound Cloud Links

http://snd.sc/KK3IaA

Line up

Rus Nerwich
Ronen Skillen
Kevin Gibson
Nick Williams
Andrew Lilley
Dizu Plaatjies

Madosini and
Derek Gripper (SA)

For over ten years Derek Gripper has produced some of South Africa’s most extraordinary musical works by fusing the country’s disparate creative traditions with styles throughout the world into an aesthetic aptly named “New Cape.” In this way Derek Gripper draws from European classical traditions, avant-garde Brazilian works, Malian kora works, Cape Town’s folk styles such as ghoema/goema and vastrap, and even Indian classical music, all the while synthesising them into a style uniquely his own.

Derek Gripper’s discography already includes one of the most musically mature and visionary albums created in South African history-the superb ensemble effort Sagtevlei-and he has maintained this creative momentum through his solo works as well as through his collaborations with artists ranging from Xhosa instrumentalists, Indian tabla masters, and a select group of composers whose works he has brought to life on the guitar. His most recent work has drawn on the compositions of master musicians such as Toumani Diabate, Egberto Gismonti, Ballake Sissoko, and Ali Farka Toure to single-handedly sketch a new musical and cultural landscape for the contemporary classical guitar.

Derek Gripper offers an extraordinary voice in post-apartheid South African cultural landscape, one that demonstrates the country’s new musical confidence by forging fresh paths through cross-genre, cross-generational, and cross-cultural collaborations.

Madosini, The Queen of Xhosa Music, is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in Xhosa music today. She continues to expand on the traditional repertoire of her chosen instruments by composing new songs and instrumental pieces.

Madosini was born in a village called Mqhekezweni, about 10 km west of Umtata in the Eastern Cape. While she was still young her family moved to the Libode district in eastern Mpondoland. Taught by her mother, Madosini began playing, composing songs, and making instruments at an early age. Her skills on instruments could be heard at social gatherings and she was loved by all. When she was 12 Madosini fell ill and spent much of her time making and playing instruments, developing a love for music which has stayed with her throughout her life. Her first commercial recording came when a film crew paid her R8 to record eight songs. Mysteriously some of these songs began being heard on commercial radio and in music stores in other parts of the country many years later, but Madosini was never compensated. Eventually Madosini’s renown caught the attention of Dizu Plaaitjies, leader of Amapondo, who eventually persuaded Madosini to join his group which she performed with in many parts of the world.

Madosini eventually relocated to Cape Town where she lives today, pursuing a solo performing career, and continuing her frequent visits to other countries to share her stories, music, and song.

“Back then it was simply a way of life and people made their own entertainment. Nowadays the traditions we lived by are dying and people are no longer telling stories and making music. I had to try my best to keep it all alive.” Madosini

Cape Town
Tango Ensemble (SA)

CT Tango Ensemble was established in 1996.

Award winning & Internationally acclaimed Tango orchestra who offer a wide range of Tango – from the traditional early years of Tango to the mesmerizing music of Piazzolla’s “Tango Nuevo” to their unique original compositions, which explore the fusion between Latin, Jazz & South African influences, which makes them our home grown South African Tango Band.

CDs up to date

“El Tango en Africa”
“Tango Club” – 2011 SAMA nominee for “Best Instrumental Album”.

Stanislav Angelov – Bandoneon, Accordion & Vibrandoneon
Petrus de Beer – Violin
Albert Combrink – Piano
Charles Lazar – Double Bass

All In One
(Steve Newman, Hilton Schilder, Errol Dyers) (SA)

Babu (SA)

Babu fuses the complexity and vibrancy of jazz with the long-standing improvisational practices of Indian classical music, which has had an extensive history of spirituality in music. This fusion of two streams of musical expression taps into the more complex realms of human experience – the subconscious, perhaps mystical world – through the medium of four experienced, diverse, technically-impressive musicians. With great faith, love and a willing audience, the performance occasion can bring our minds together to test the depth of ecstasy in music and leave the room charged with exhilaration, respect and love for all life. While providing a fresh perspective in their compositions Babu reflect on the work of great fusion bands like Weather Report, Shakti and Mahavishnu Orchestra.

The band performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March 2008 to an enthralled audience, and launched their much anticipated first album entitled “Up Roots” in May 2008. The band has made a strong impression amongst listeners of different age groups and backgrounds throughout South Africa.

Babu undertook a very successful and acclaimed national tour early in 2009, leading to a nomination for two SAMA awards. The band received a standing ovation at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown in July 2009 and later in the year they were invited to play in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya as part of a collaboration between Standard Bank and The Alliance Française.

The Babu SADC tour 2010 was initiated as a follow up to the successful South African tour in 2009. The aim being to continue with the performance/workshop format and take it to SADC countries. The benefits in this program were evident in the first tour as well as this time round. Babu performed in Swaziland (Bushfire Festival), Botswana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar (Madajazzcar Festival) and Mozambique.

Babu is working on their second album scheduled to be released early 2012.

Kesivan Naidoo – Drums and cymbals
Reza Khota – Guitar
Shane Lee Cooper – Bass
Ronan Skillen – Tabla, Extended Percussion and Didgeridoo

Bateleur

Bateleur is a 6 piece post-rock instrumentalist force based in Cape Town, South Africa made up of:
Nicolaas van Reenen- Guitar/ Partial Vocals
Paul Mersacik – Bass
Adam Bertscher- Guitar
Odon Human- Trumpet
Dylan Jeffereys – Drums
Louis Pienaar- Keyboards

The band was established towards the end of 2009. Following endless jam sessions they released their debut EP, Mountain, of which the music video for the single “Thanks, India” garnered unexpected praise from both the public and media. Since then the band has played all over from Malawi to Woodstock (CPT).

The band is known for their experimental take on instrumental music and their raw live energy on stage, filling it up with strings, bowed guitars, effected vocals and awe inspiring visuals.

The band recently took a temporary hiatus while one of the members, Nicolaas van Reenen, toured the US and Europe as the guitarist for Spoek Mathambo. They have since been more active and return to the live music scene in full force with the release of their sophomore EP “Cargo Cults” which they have released in a signature “wooden disc USB” format.

See/Hear/Keep Bateleur here:

Download: www.bateleurband.bandcamp.com

Auction Website: www.bateleur-music.co.za

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bateleurband

DJ Mighty

One of Cape Town’s more prolific vinyl collectors, DJ Mighty just LOVES music! All shapes, all sizes, all sounds, all styles. From House to Jazz to Funk to Afro, Mighty brings it all to you, and it’s the cream of the crop.

Ntone Edjabe

Toby2shoes

Renowned beat-masher, music-collector and all-round nice guy, DJ Toby2shoes has kick started more parties then african politicians have back-pocketed government funds.  His booting sets blend sounds from dusty beer-lined barrooms and sweaty dancehalls the world over.  Worldly beats from Afro-House to Swing, Balkan to Dub, Country to Kwaito effortlessly switch from note to note, beat to beat, breaking down barriers with every foot tapping moment.

Christian Tiger School

Consider the many perks of living in an international city. There is diversity in cultures stretching from language to food to music. The knowledge of the locals is, in part, worldly, and so also more opinionated. You get a sense of the world without having actually seen it. The essence of heritage comes from itself, yet also from the cities and countries it resembles. From this a problem can arise – as a musician, what would you define as solid ground? Where does your sound come from?

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, sourcing beats straight from their own ridiculously ambitious imaginations, Christian Tiger School (Sabastiano Zanasi & Luc Vermeer) are sitting comfortably between the likes of would-be label affiliates and beatmakers Samiyam and Teebs. Typecast in a Eurocentric city, it’s about time Cape Town got some Los Angeles beats up in its joint.

Taking the old school on vacation, Christian Tiger School (CTS) hit the decks with impeccable inaccuracy. Their music siphons from a world of inspiration that includes once-popular TV movements to being white on the outside and video games, all the way through to having a sense of humour and watching sunsets together.

Since their coming together to form the Christian Tiger School in 2011, Sabastiano and Luc have performed extensively at Cape Town‟s biggest and best nightclubs (Fiction, Zula Sound Bar and The Assembly, alongside the likes of veteran bass nuts PH Fat) and at the ever-popular Cold Turkey event, which, according to them, is a favourite. The beginning of 2012 also saw a roadtrip and tour to Johannesburg and Pretoria, playing next to Sub-Pop signed Spoek Mathambo and Sibot.

Live on the beats, young connoisseurs in aural satisfaction, CTS takes favourable international tracks and rubs them the right way with corner-cutting remix treatment. Mixed alongside their own original blend of hard-hitting margarine beats, they create a satisfying chillwave atmosphere stretching from hard lived DJ gigs to the solid gold ghetto blaztahs of devoted fans‟ convertibles, true to form, and friends alike.

Where to next?

2012 is fast becoming a year of well-deserved recognition for the duo. Reviews for their shows appeared in local newspapers and magazines and they were featured on okayafrica.com, receiving high acclaim for the songs “Carlton Banks” and “Electric Mountain”, the former of which The Roots’ drummer and frontman, Questl?ve, much to duo’s excitement, commented on favourably. These songs are two of seven polished gems available for free download from their soundcloud account. Their debut EP is in the works for release in early September.

They have also recently released their debut album “Third Floor” which is available for free streaming and download here: http://bombaada.bandcamp.com/album/christian-tiger-school-third-floor

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Tiger-School/323640720995782

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/christian-tiger-school

Website: http://christiantigerschool.virb.com/

Bandcamp: www.christiantigerschool.bandcamp.com

Kimon

Without hype and without pretence, Kimon has been spreading his selection of sounds through Cape Town’s alternative party scene for the last three years. In the beginning opportunities to play African music were few, so with the help of good-tunes mentor Toby2shoes he started his own party, Basement Radio. This morphed into the landmark Kiboko series at Frieda’s on Bree, which began pulling larger crowds as word got out there was a new groove in town. Since then things have only gotten better—Basement Radio’s latest incarnation, Disco Tropidelica, saw some 400 people of all shapes and sizes getting loose til the early hours. There’s nothing else like it in the city.

Kimon also collects reggae and dub, and plays it out on rare occasions. He has been known to flip character and bust heavy wobble funk from time to time. More recently he began collaborating with his sister Yanna under the name Green Tea; they play a dubby blend of hip-hop, downbeat electronica and other slow poison. And because he is an obsessive listener and likes to keep things moving, it’s never certain what sounds he’ll choose next.

DJ Invisible
feat. Computer General & The Season Marimba Stars

Dear Comrade

Thank you for receiving this letter of introduction.

Here at the Imperial House we have been working tirelessly on strategizing covert performances and Guerilla Gigs through the guise of the most influential persona in the 1stcorps, the renowned Advisor to the state, DJ INVIZABLE.

This mythical being who travelled from a distant highland tribe and never speaks in tongue, has been on guard at the front line commanding the sound of Gazelle. Now the Advisor has taken to the podium with a revolutionary DJ performance,  incorporating live instruments, featured MC’s and the latest in audio hardware weaponry.

The man behind the mask, Nick Matthews, who originates from Cape Town, South Africa, has been a professional DJ and producer for over the last decade. His experience and ability to crossover musical genre has taken him to many different audiences around the world and his work has been widely acclaimed in spheres of his local music industry. Nick has also carved a niche for himself in a very specialized sphere of live performance where he combines his production with musicians and live acts such as Gazelle.

http://soundcloud.com/dj-invizable

http://www.facebook.com/DjInvizable

Jakobsnake (SA)

Having been exposed to music from an early age from his fathers extensive record collection of 60′s, 70′s and 80′s Rock, Funk and Soul, Jakobsnake’s fascination with sound and music soon bred into intrinsic passion.

He began drumming and writing lyrics at the age of 10 and 13 respectively and for a Bar Mitzvah gift from his mother, he was given the opportunity to learn how to DJ.

His upbringing in bustling Joburg and the influences around him encouraged him to nurture and explore his varied musical interests and talents, and he quickly became a common feature as a budding young talent in bands and informal Cyphers alike.

After traveling to London and America and being exposed to an international scene and standard for left-field electronica, Jakobsnake realised the true scope of what a more focused career in music had to offer, and he made this his mission. He moved to Cape Town in the hopes of being part of its nurturing and innovative Electronic Music scene.

Fast-forward to today and he is one of the busiest characters around.

One half of the BTEAM DJ group, a rapper and beatboxer in Electronic Rap outfit Voicetag and the drummer for Spoek Mathambo and Mshini Wam – Jakobsnake has a career as eclectic and spontaneous as his solo DJ sets.

2010 and 2011 saw him tour around the world as part of Mshini Wam including all over Europe, North America and South America and play countless gigs with both BTEAM, Voicetag and as his solo Project – Jakobsnake.

Having been instrumental in exposing more of an African sound to the Electronic music circuit in Cape Town, starting the AfroClap! parties, Jakobsnake’s love for diversity and his country is evident throughout his music and personality.

One things for sure though, you wont be standing still when he plays.