Title
Africa Got Soul
Prestige
Elite Records approached Barney Rattle to make a classic
soul album from South Africa he looked into his growing
stable of musicians both in South Africa and worldwide to
help create a genuinely good and surprisingly fresh mainstream
tribute album to some of the greatest songs of the 70's
Producer Barney Rattle has been working in the townships
of western cape of South Africa for over 10 years, opening
a school for kids in the late 90's and is responsible for
the production of over ten records from South Africa through
his label New World Africa Records. In 2003 he produced
a CD for London's Nightclub China White and drawing on his
contacts with the legendary London club he enlisted the
help of China White music director and renowned DJ Stan-ley
Bregeot to re mix the classic 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone'
which will later be released on vinyl through underground
house label - 'Deep London'. With a long history in London's
entertainment and nightclub scene, Barney drew on his years
of experience in music production to produce fourteen songs
with help from two superbly talented co-producers Jason
Orozco and Giancarlo Morrocco, musicians in their own right.
Jason Orozco talented guitarist and programmer from Greece,
with many years in music production and with releases through
Sony/BMG of classic re-mixed Greek traditional songs, this
collaberation surely is their best to date.
Giancarlo Morrocco with his unique style of production and
with the credit of co-producing Peru's No 1 Album 'Cholo
Soy' (which remained in the number 1 slot for over four
months) featuring classic traditional Peruvian songs, Giancarlo
was a natural choice for world music production of this
calibre.
Abavuki
Abavuki
is a group of young musicians from Langa, a township near
Cape Town in South Africa. The name "Abavuki"
which means "Wake up, early birds!" refers not
only to their youth, but also to their philosophy of seizing
the moment and getting things done for themselves. They
developed love for music at a young age and started playing
with various groups.
Towards
the end of 2001, they came together and began creating their
unique brand of African Jazz. Using marimbas, percussion,
brass instruments and even an operatic trained voice, weaving
traditional African rhythms and melodies into a contemporary
format, which is highly danceable and almost Latin American
in feel.
Bongani
Ngesi (22) plays marimbas and drums and has been playing
music since he was 8. He loves jazz and house music. He
spent 3 months in Italy courtesy of the Benneton Fabrica
programme where he recorded a solo album entitled “Sababamba”.
Mkhokheli
(Kim) Masala (20) has a highly developed sense of rhythm
and plays marimbas and drums. He has been playing since
the age of seven and composes much of Abavuki’s music.
Bongani and Kim recently returned from a trip to Holland
where they appeared with Lungiswa Plaatjies.
Siyabulela
(Sabu) Jiyana (19) has just graduated from Cape Town High.
He plays marimba and drums, does back-up vocals and dances.
His favourite music style is kwaito. Sabu and Kim played
at the World’s Children’s Prize awards in Sweden
for two years running
Zwelibanzi
Dukwano (21) is an untrained tenor whose vocal range is
quite astonishing. He is known by the other members of the
band as their Secret Weapon. He also sings with the Guguletu
Tenors.
Thando
Sishuba (24) is Zwelibanzi’s cousin. He plays the trumpet
and steel pans and sang with his school choir. His choice
of music includes Jazz and African.
Mzwamadoda
Matsila (25) plays the trombone, trumpet, drums and steel
pans. He arranges most of the music that the group plays.
At home, he listens to Jazz. Thando and Mzwamadoda recently
returned from a trip to Brazil where they performed with
another marimba band from Mandalay.
Ndima
(Andile) Makubalo (23) was introduced to classical music
at a young age and became a fan of Mozart. When the Cape
Town Symphony started an outreach program to teach young
people to play brass instruments he jumped at the opportunity
to join. He plays the trumpet and is a DJ. He recently DJ’d
in the UK at a fundraiser for Margaret House orphanage and
for the African Wildlife conference in Johannesburg.
Thulani
Mtyi (24) plays the trombone, steel pans and sings. His
inspiration comes from the many great musicians who originated
from Langa, his choice of music includes kwaito and R&B.
He was recently featured on “What’s your Story”
on SABC 2. Thulani often joins Ndima as a DJ.
Miyo
Sakabula (33) was instrumental in getting this group of
young men together and hopes to pass on his knowledge of
traditional rhythms and dances to the next generation. Miyo
plays drums, bass marimba and the recorder and is the only
member of the group to be a father.
Solomon
Sakabula (22) is Miyo’s cousin. He plays the marimbas
and drums and is an accomplished dancer.
