Sef Kombo on BBC 1xtra 17/03/13 w/ Black Coffee

Continuing the special month on BBC 1xtra for a run of shows showcasing Deep & Soulful House from the Motherland every Sunday in March from 1am-2am (GMT) taking over the final hour of the DNA show with DJ Edu! 1 Hour of the biggest South African House jams, this was also a live show

This Show is week 3 broadcasted on Sunday 17th March and my special guest on the line was the legendary DJ/Producer Black Coffee from Durban

Enjoy and Share


 Tracklist

1. Stay With Me (Loic.L Remix) - Room 806
2. Touch The Floor - StereoticSoul & MalukaDJ
3. Verge Name - Ta-Ice
4. Sunrise (Invaders Of Afrika Deeper Remix) - DJ Kent ft. Zaki Ibrahim
5. Where Are We Going - Calvin Fallo
6. The Documentary - Black Motion
7. Juju (Bekzin Terris Mix) - Black Coffee ft. Zakes Bantwini
8. Love Affair - Monocles & Slezz feat. Oral Deep
9. Traveller - Black Coffee ft. Nomsa Mazwai & Black Motion
10. 100 Zulu Warriors (Culoe De Song Remix) - Zulu Warriors
11. Free Spirits - The Lamberti Boyz
12. Mahuwelele (Halo & Stephen Rigmaiden SoCity Remix) - Mzee ft. Candy Nurse

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Sef Kombo meets DJ Majesty on Bang Radio + Guest Mix

 

 DJ Majesty come down the Bang Radio HQ during the Monday House Night Flight show for an interview and guest mix, showcasing his style of music Good times!

Sef Kombo live on live on Bang Radio (http://www.wearebang.com) each and every Monday (1700-2000 EST / 2200-0100 GMT / 2300-02100 CET / 0000-0300 SAST)

Join the #MondayHouseNightFlight Facbook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/137209389737967/

Bang Radio

Artist Feature: 'GOGO In The Fast Lane' - Sef Kombo Meets Ralf GUM

Germany's Ralf Benkert better know as Ralf Gum is one of the highest respected figures in the house music scene for the distinctive qualities in his exceptional productions and DJ-sets. He has been in the game for a long long time and released so many superb tracks under his own independant music label. He has exposed tracks such as 'Kissing Stranger' 'Above the Sky' Turn Me On' and just fresh off out the studio 'Hard Time For Lovers' with so many great releases and remixes he has done on other tracks. I knew I just had to chat to him!! He kindly took out time out of his hectic schedule to let us know what is going on with him...

Sef Kombo: Hey Ralf!! It’s actually an honour to speak with you!
Ralf GUM: Thanks Sef, not a problem to speak.. Always a pleasure

SK: How long have you actually been involved with Music?
RG: I am DJ-ing since 1991 and produce since 1993.

SK: What inspired you to make Soulful House? Being from such an electronica based country such as Germany, why didn't you follow suit?
RG: I think it just was in my genes. Already as a teenager I liked funk and soul, while others have been listening to radio or rock music. When I came in touch with soulful house, I knew that this genre allows me to combine everything I liked in other musical genres such as the fore mentioned or jazz, afro, cuban, etc. as well. Following suit and trends never was what I was interested in.

SK: Who were your inspirations within the House music game? And why?
RG: In the beginning it was mainly the New York scene with artists like Mood II Swing, or MAW. When I visited NY for the first time in 1990 the house bug just got me. I hadn’t attended parties like the one that were happening at that time in NY before and was fascinated by the positive energy.

SK: Your label is called GOGO Music, what is behind the name?
RG: The name has no deeper meaning. When I was searching for a label-name it was a coincidence that I saw this little funny car from the 70ies called 'Gogo Mobile' passing by. I thought GOGO Music sounds good and is memorable.

SK: Tell us about the latest single Hard Time For Lovers by Rocco & C. Robert Walker?
RG: Well what should I say. I love Rocco’s work since a long time and already had him on GOGO Music for a remix of my single with ‘Diamondancer – All This Love for You’. When he sent me the demo it was clear to me quite quickly, that I wanted to sign the song, as the vocal of Robert is great as well. The whole project fits perfect to what I want to release on the label to date. The remixers did a very good job as well and so I am satisfied with the release completely.


SK: So what's new for GOGO in the coming months? Are we to expect more of the same? And what vocalists are due to appear soon?
RG: There’s a lot in the pipeline and next up will be a track by South African vocalist Zano called “My Story”. An EP by Black Coffee will follow it and after that I will probably release my next single, which features Inaya Day on vocals.

SK: You've take a particular interest with South African artists, What is it about them and their music with interests you?
RG: There is currently coming a lot of great music from South Africa, as the scene there is alive. A lot of really good new talent emerges from there and if you take a look back on GOGO Music’s label history, I always tried to discover and present new talent and not only the already established big names.

SK: You was in South Africa over Christmas and New Year, how was that experience. How has the scene progressed over there since you was last there?
RG: The trip over Christmas was once again a great experience, but as I toured in SA only a few months before there hasn’t been a big change within the short time…

SK: How do you find the house scene today and the direction of the music?
RG: It is hard to answer this question in general, as it depends very much on the country and even within the countries it still can vary from region to region a lot. The music is currently very diverse with many trends in different directions and I appreciate that, as you don’t hear the same songs from every DJ.

SK: Can we expect any production collaborations in the near future?
RG: As I said there are a lot of things and productions in the pipeline, but I don’t want to let out all surprises already now ;-)

SK: Can you give us a quick gig guide as to where you are playing over the next 2 months?
RG:
Apr 01 2010 - GOGO Music meets Hausbrigade @ Creed - Karlsruhe (Germany)
Apr 03 2010 - COMMUNITY - Manchester (UK)
Apr 10 2010 - 360 - Dubai (UAE)
Apr 20 2010 - Disco - Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Apr 23 2010 - Atlantis - Basel (Switzerland)
Apr 24 2010 - Climax - Stuttgart (Germany)
May 02 2010 - Den & Centro - London (UK)
May 07 2010 - Southport Weekender - Southport (UK)

SK: Do you feel that ‘Kissing Strangers’ reaching number 1 on Traxsource 2008 has really propelled the label to a new level of quality house music?
RG: Actually I don't like the word "quality" in connection with music too much. There is good music and bad music and everybody has his own definition what is good or not. If we stick to the term "quality" nevertheless, I would say there have been "high quality" records on the label before as well, but of course the success of ‘Kissing Strangers’ helped to get even more publicity.

SK: It’s happened a fair few times for you now, but how does it actually feel when you do reach the top of the Traxsource charts?

RG: It is always a welcome confirmation for the work you do. Nevertheless I stay humble and feel happy about it every time again, as it would be the first time. It motivates me to continue to do what I do.

SK: Who is your favourite producer?
RG: It is always hard to reduce it to just one, but if I have to mention just one, I would say Phil Kullmann


SK: Who is your favourite vocalist?
RG: I don’t want to reduce it to just one here, as it depends what kind of vibe you expect from a vocalist for a certain track.

SK: What tracks have been on heavy rotation for you in the last 6 months?
RG:
Elements of Life feat Lisa Fischer & Cindy Mizelle – Into my life
Jerk House Connection feat. Akram - Each & Everyday (Rocco Deeper Mix)
N'dinga Gaba feat. Scotty P. - Queen
Reverend P feat. Jocelyn Mathieu - Those Days Are Gone (Animal House Club Mix)
Ralf GUM feat. Kafele – Complicated
Ralf GUM & Monique Bingham - Little W. 12th St.

SK: Tell us something we don’t know about Ralf GUM?
RG: I always said before that my left ear always itches, but to be honest the right one does as well.

SK: What is the best GoGo release!??
RG: Haha…all are good otherwise I would not have put them out.

SK: Haha!! I guess so, a big thanks for taking some time out to talk to me!
RG: Many thanks Sef!



LINKS

Listen & Buy The Latest Release Rocco & C. Robert Walker - “Hard Time For Lovers” Here

Check Out Ralf Gum's Website Here

Check out GOGO Music Here

Check out the GoGo Radioshow every Sunday 22:00-23:00 (GMT) on QH Radio

Artist Feature: 'Just Pursuing A Musical Dream' - Sef Kombo Meets Qness

Qness is undoubtedly one youngster with a lot of potential for raising the bar. His current work is a great example of how skilled he is, doubling up as a DJ he really get a sense of what will work in the clubs. He is already getting great exposure at home as well as international and I caught up with him and really got a true understanding of who Qness really is...

Sef Kombo: For us in the UK who don’t know Qness, Who are you and what do you do?
Qness: Firstly I just want to say thanks for having me; it is indeed an honour for me. Qness is a Musician/Producer/DJ who is just pursuing his musical dream of making “GOOD” music. That is how I would describe myself in a nutshell.

SK: How did you get into the music scene? Who were your inspirations?
Q: Most of us here in South Africa get onto the music scene through compilations. If you are unknown and you create a hot song, the record labels will usually feature your song on a well known and established DJ’s compilation album that way people will then get to know you from there. For me that is how it happened, my debut song “Fugama Unamathe”, which is the same song that made me famous, was first featured on legendary DJ Mbuso’s Phezulu Selections album and that’s how I got my first break.
In terms of inspiration I was inspired by Manoo, Abicah Soul, Dennis Ferrer, UPZ, Boddhi Satva, Osunlade, Rocco, Louie Vega, Frank Roger, DJ Mbuso, Black Coffee and of course Oskido, the one guy I looked up to all my life here in South Africa. Ironically, I was blessed in the sense that God gave me the privileged opportunity of being able to work with the bulk of the producers that inspired me right at the very inception of my musical career.

SK: How would you describe your music?
Q: Here in South Africa, I’ve had people ask me that question numerous times, especially people that have listened to my debut album “DJ Qness - On Cue Vol. 1”. A lot of my music has been remixed by especially very talented and highly respected A-list producers across the world so that kind of confuses people a lot because you can hear a Qness song on radio and it’s deep house, then later on you can hear another Qness tune and it sounds a little commercial, but in a nut shell I believe that the best way to describe my music would be to say I make ethnic-inspired Afro dance music. I fuse a lot of elements into the music that I make but the underlying factor would be that my music is very African and tends to get spiritual at some points. It is more or less a reflection of my being, which is why I make music about issues pertaining to our everyday life matters as we live in the universe.

SK: What is your studio set up like, what programs do you use to create your music?
Q: Funny enough, it is only recently that I really upgraded my studio. When I started, like everyone else I was using a very basic set up. “Fugama Unamathe” and “Uzongilinda” were all created through FL Studio, but I also tend to use a lot of live elements in my music as you would hear on “Fugama”. There is a live guitar on the track which just changes the feel of the whole song altogether. The other thing is that unlike most producers my age here at home in South Africa, I tend to use a lot of vocals in my music. For me the vocal is everything and I am blessed to have had the great opportunity of working with amazing talented vocalists such as Oluhle and Malehloka right at the very inception of my career.


SK: What are your thoughts on the South African House Scene? Where do you see it going?
Q: For me, South Africa is on its way to being the worldwide capital city of house music due to the immense amount of house music being consumed here. In South Africa house is a commercial success and we are actually one of the few countries in the world where a house CD can actually sell gold or platinum. We are a very blessed nation as the industry here has been able to make millionaires and pop stars out of its exponents.



SK: What’s you favourite track at the moment?
Q: I’m currently loving the UPZ mix of Uzongilinda, and like Andy Ward has described it numerous times, “It’s pure sex”. Avi Elman did a great job on that mix and for me he has been a great mentor and role model.

SK: What was the first DJ Set you played? Tell us a little bit about how it went and what you felt.
Q: The first ever set I played consisted of tunes like “Summer Daze” by Nick Holder and for me at the time I just wanted to be famous, lol!!! I had been producing tunes in my bedroom since I was very young, but in the studio no one can see you so for me I wanted to get out and get exposure. I wanted to communicate with the actual audience that buys music and that helped me a lot because from there onwards I would produce songs and go and test them in front of crowds whenever I play.

SK: You were in Europe recently playing some gigs. How did that come about and where did you travel to?
Q: I guess with the international releases people overseas were starting to hear and notice my music hence the opportunity to play overseas arose. I was making “GOOD” music and I guess the people who listened to my music overseas wanted to see me hence the gigs. I have played in Belgium, France and I will be going to Japan very soon.

SK: How was you received during your sets? What was your favourite and worst moment?
Q: I guess playing at home in South Africa is totally different because you already know what type of songs are huge on the streets, when you get to Europe everything changes you have to read your crowd and assume what they will dance to in a short space of time, lol!!! My favourite moment was seeing all those people cheering and dancing to my sets, my worst was when I visited a couple of studios and realized that production-wise we still have quite a way to go in South Africa to emulate world wide production standards in terms of gear, and hardware etc. but however I do still feel that we are getting there. We are actually improving more each and every day.

SK: Is there a big future for Afro Deep house to be successful in Europe?
Q: Yes, I think there is. But we must avoid getting too monotonous and all sounding the same, which is why I always try to be different so that people can tell the difference between a Qness song and any other track.

SK: What is your vision for the ‘Qness Sound’ where would you like to take your music?
Q: I have always dreamt of taking my music to the world and being heard not just at home but across the globe, of which I have somehow achieved especially through my EPs and releases on Traxsource and the other international download sites, but then again for me it is only the beginning. I guess the real challenge that I have now is consistency and keeping my head up, while remaining as humble as possible and counting my blessings each and every day. I want to grow the “Qness sound” and sort of create a legacy of my own, to set a trend that other youngsters can follow through the music that I am making. I want to inspire others and to add my own worth to keeping this universe as positive as possible.



SK: You have now released two EPs, Fugama Unamathe and more recently Uzongillinda, how you feeling about the material you have released for DJs to play?
Q: I honestly feel honoured to have been recognized by these two of my role models Boddhi Satva and Avi Elman, to the extent of being signed by them. I always looked up to Boddhi and to UPZ, but to be signed by them for me was something else. There I was having a dream and one day I pinched myself and realized that I was no longer dreaming, my dream had become reality. To have DJs across the world buying and playing my music is just so amazing. It’s something that I wished for but I never saw it coming so for me it has been great. God has indeed blessed me abundantly and I am forever thankful.

SK: You have a lot of remixes from the likes of Abicah Soul, Marie Joly and Culoe de Song to name a few, how did those come about? Is this something that will continue on future releases.
Q: As long as I continue releasing EPs then the trend will continue. The remixes were mostly co-ordinated by myself and the labels for the EPs. I will continue to work with talented remixers wherever I can for as long as I release more EPs, hey.

SK: What’s in the pipeline to be released?
Q: I’m currently working on the “Miles Away” EP which ironically features a guy called Vindo Vinchento on the vocals, the same guy I co-wrote the lyrics of “Uzongilinda” with.

SK: Who would you like to work with in the near future outside of South Africa?
Q: I’ve always wanted to work with Manoo, Dennis Ferrer, Rocco, Louie Vega and Osunlade. I’ve looked up to them since time immemorial.

SK: Which producers are you feeling at the moment?
Q: Manoo, Rocco, UPZ (Avi Elman), Abicah Soul, Dennis Ferrer, and Louie Vega.

SK: What’s your thoughts on the ever growing digital music website AfrodesiaMP3? How has it helped you and has it helped the Afro House scene?
Q: Afrodesia has been the website channelling the Afro house revolution for us here in South Africa. It is through Afrodesia that we have been able to get our music out. My first ever experience (and for many others here) on a digital download website was on Afrodesia. The majority of the labels and the producers here in SA don’t have access to Traxsource, iTunes, Beatport, and Juno etc, hence Afrodesia has been the one playing a very instrumental role in helping us showcase our talent on a digital download level. Digital downloads are, after all the future as CD sales are declining very rapidly so we look up to the guys at Afrodesia a lot.

SK: I’m sure everyone would like to know, which is the best South African city for clubbing and why?
Q: I think Joburg is still the place to be, although Durban is coming up pretty fast, reason being Joburg is still the place where everything happens first. If Kanye West comes to SA, he will perform first at Joburg, but that is changing relatively fast coz cities like Durban are coming up real fast, lol!!!

SK: How excited are you about the World Cup coming to your country and do you thing such a big event could help the Afro House scene?
Q: I don’t think there is anyone who isn’t excited about the world cup right now. So many privileges and opportunities are arising simply because we are playing host nation this year and for the Afro house scene it is an advantage in the sense that we will get a first hand opportunity to showcase our music to the millions of visitors that will be coming to South Africa.

SK: Tell us some very random that we don’t know about Qness?
Q: Large masses of water scare the hell out of me, for example when I drive next to a lake or huge dam, or even a bridge I get scared to death, but the funny thing is that I do swim in the beach, hey.

SK: Where can we find you online?
Q: Online you can find me on Facebook, just search “Qness Ndlovu” and add me, then on myspace my url is myspace.com/mrqness, while my website is www.djqness.com. On twitter I am on twitter.com/djqness and on skype I am Qness.ndlovu.

SK: Thanks Qness
Q: Thanks to you, my brother.

LINKS

Listen & Buy Qness' Latest Release Uzongilinda (Incl. UPZ & Abicah Soul Mixes) Here

Listen & Buy Fugama Unamathe Here

Artist Feature: 'The Journamusician' - Sef Kombo Meets Mzee

Mzee needed an introduction in the international music arena and his single 'Mahuwelele' took the house world by storm and made a name for the then, unknown South African musician, from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province. Mzilikazi wa Afrika which is his real name is a the multi-international award winning investigative journalist, of recent times though, he has been exchanging his pen for a microphone and hoping to scoop more awards as a musician, song writer and producer. I sat down with him to find out more...

SK: How You doing Sir? It’s a pleasure to have a chat!
MZ: I’m great and no, thank you very much for having me. I am very appreciative!

SK: How did you get involved with music?
MZ: I got into music because my love for it and I was very interested in exploring more African sound. Listening to different genres across the continent, like Nigeria’s Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Salif Keita from Mali, Youssou N'Dour from Senegal and a whole other load of African musicians. I guess I got hooked and started experimenting with those sounds by on a House tip.

SK: How long have you been involved in music?
MZ: I wrote my first song when I was 11 years old, so it's been a while!! Most of the time I have spent researching about music, everything I know I taught myself. Analysing music, getting books about music and writing songs here and there and asking advise from various people to find if my ideas were working or not.

SK: Your music is very individual then?
MZ: Yeah, that's why I like my songs, although it's house, my style is unique when 'Mahuwelele' came out people where amazed, my style is completely different from most people, it's although its close to others.. It’s still completely different to most doing house. I basically think I'm a musician who is really capturing African history in a modern way but through music.

SK: How Would You Describe Your Sound?
MZ: My sound is like a deep African house sound with unique and catchy African chants and vocals

SK: Do you go out on the streets and try and capture unique sample and input them into your music?
MZ: No, I normally just prepare vocals and samples in the studio. I collaborate with different artist and bring them to the studio to create these samples.

SK: So what do you use to create your music?
MZ: I use Apple Mac, with Logic, Reason and Hypersonic. My main tool is Logic but I use Reason a lot to create the drums using my own samples.

SK: How do people feel about your music?
MZ: People are loving it, the support has been nothing short of amazing. They have been going crazy since the first track 'Mahuwelele' and are still giving the same level of love to tracks from my album entitled 'Tamanini'

SK: Talk to us about the Umoja / Flute Song EP how was that created?
MZ: For 'Umoja' I did a song and I was in search for vocal, I remember seeing Kampi Moto who is a friend and mentor of mine who unfortunately has passed away at 66 years old. I drove to his house and said that I felt his voice would be a great for the song I made, so as we was driving back to my studio and listening to the song, I put forward the idea that I had and we starting writing the lyrics in the car and within say 15 minutes the vocals were done and the rest is history as they say!!



SK: Yeah, I'm a big fan of both cuts of the EP but why did you bring out a double EP?
MZ: The Flute Song, is pretty old and unfortunately there were delays regarding some people were suppose to remix it, one of the major delays was Osunlade. We kept on waiting on his remix to be delivered but it never came, eventually Casamena said no lets just bring out the track and then it was decided to put together 'Umoja' & 'The Flute Song' as one EP

SK: Ok I understand! So in regards to Casamena who deals with Ocha records, how did you guys come together to release the two EPs you have released on that label?
MZ: Well I sent a couple of DJs and Producers a copy of 'Mahuwelele' and then Ocha records got hold of it and when they heard it, they contacted me immediately and offered me a deal I just couldn't refuse!!

SK: How you feel about the South African scene and that it's getting a lot of attention in other continents?
MZ: You know if have legendary people like Louis Vega and Boddhi Satva saying South Africa is on point, it means the we are definitely on point and we are definitely doing good stuff that people from other continents are appreciating and enjoying a lot.

SK: So If someone came over to South Africa, where is the best place to hear the best of the Afro House sound?
MZ: It depends, if your looking for Deep House you go Pretoria, Cape Town is the best for Electro/Techno vibe. if your looking for catchy sounds you go Durban, House with more tribal and chant you go Limpopo. Every town in South Africa has got it's own flavour of House.

SK: Have you had any experiences of playing outside of South Africa?
MZ: Well, I was suppose to be playing in Miami for the WMC and also New York and DC but unfortunately due to a project I am undertaking as a journalist which if your didn't know is my profession, I am unable to honour those commitments.

SK: Ok, journalist by day and musician by night! That’s interesting, almost like leading a double life, how you finding that?
MZ: I mean it's great! I really enjoy it but at the same time you do always need something to push you forward, help you to survive and pay your bills and stuff.



SK: So talk to us about your album 'Tamanini'
MZ: The album is a double CD with 31 songs, the album is designed in a way so for every day in the month you have a sing to listen to, I'm very excited about it, it's doing very well at the moment and there is videos out. Yeah! It's just very exciting, people are loving it... That's all I can say! I'm loving it!!

SK: So where do you see yourself in the next 2 years?
MZ: I think for the next two years I would like to build up my label. I've signed a 'A Team' who individually have their own projects coming out. For myself I wont be releasing any studio albums this year although I will release some EPs but I will be pushing all the stuff from the members of the 'A Team'

SK: So the label is called 'A Team'?
MZ: No it's actually Bomba Recordz

SK: So what is the aim of Bomba Recordz?
MZ: The aim is for the record label is to be one of those independent labels which is a pioneer for House music. We do nothing else but House on this label, we go out there and look for talent, get them on board and push them. It's like a starting platform for these talents.

SK: Who have you been working with recently and who would you like to work with?
MZ: I was in Mozambique recently, working with an amazing musician by the name of Khalifa he is called the 'Salif Keita of Mozambique' I did a track with him with was a tribute to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. I working a few others also. My dream is to do a couple of songs with Tracey Chapman. I love would to have her voice on a house tune. Looking at other Africa musicians, I would love to work with Salif Keita and Youssou N'Dour

SK: Producers like Black Coffee, Culoe de Song & Rowick Deep with their success are starting to put out music videos which seem to visually display the imagination of the music they create, is that something that you would look to do?
MZ: I have a music video out already 'Zvinosiririsa' is being played on TV music stations over here, which is amazing and I will be shooting the next video for Umoja very soon!

SK: Tell us something interesting about you!
MZ: I don't know!! I'm just this cat who is simply addicted to music, we like twins you can't separate us!



SK: So Music or Journalism??!
MZ: Music!
SK: Are you sure??
MZ: I am definitely sure, music is in my blood. Journalism is just a profession; I've done it all, for now there really aren’t any challenges for me.

SK: How do you feel about AfrodesiaMP3 and it's growth?
MZ: It's really amazing, so many talents have been exposed through it and young up and coming producers have an opportunity to be known through it. I wish they could grow to the same level as Traxsource and iTunes because they doing a very wonderful job.

SK: The World Cup coming to your country, how you feel about that?
MZ: It's the best feeling but on the musical side of things, it's an unfortunate situation to see the Official World Cup album will be given to musicians from Europe and the States. For me, 100% the entire album should of been given to African musicians because we also have talent, we can also show the world that we can do it and the world can appreciate what we are doing.

SK: What's your favourite track at the moment?
MZ: Ah! I love all 31 songs on my album; if I didn't then I guess I wouldn't release them. Everyday when I listen, I try to listen to a different song and when I listen to each song I think 'Wow! Is this song really on my album'

SK: So apart from yourself, which producers would you advice to take a look at?
MZ: The same guys who I work with on my album, Black Coffee, Culoe Song, Boddhi Satva and my crew the 'A Team' because those guys are really talented. One of my personal favourite is Louis Vega

SK: Where is the dream place that you would like to DJ?
MZ: Without doubt 2011 I will be at WMC!!

SK: Thanks for chatting to us Mzee!!
MZ: Thanks dude!!

Check out Mzee's Current Music Video - 'Zvinosiririsa' ft Oluhle & the A Team



LINKS:

Buy Mzee's Album Tamanini (South Africa Only) Here

Listen & Buy Mahuwelele Here

Listen & Buy Umoja/The Flute Song EP Here

His entire cataloge of released music on AfrodesiaMP3 Here

Check Out Also Bomba Recordz Here

Artist Feature: 'The Music Speaks for Itself' - Sef Kombo Meets S.E.F. of Deep Teknologi

Constantly bombarded with emails and tweets about 'Are You Sef from Deep Tek' I've ran out of patience!! 1st of all this Sef aint even good looking like me (No Homo)!! So I've gone out and asked the question on many peoples lips 'Who Are Deep Teknologi?' 'What Do They Even Look Like' 'Are They Even Real?' - They are real and S.E.F. explains all....

Sef Kombo: Mr S.E.F you have clearly stolen my name which is Sef, so just to clear this up how long have you actually been S.E.F.?
S.E.F.: (Chuckles) Iv been S.E.F. since birth mate, I don't know how old you are!! I think I've got a few years on you, (Yeah RIGHT!!) you can blame my parents if anything..

SK: Oh so now thats now that established, we can crack on, tell us who are Deep Teknologi?
S: Well, its myself and T.Williams.. I would say we are the head of Deep Teknologi, we are the main DJs. T. Williams is the main producer and I handle the visual side of things. Beyond that we are a record label, DJ outfit, video production outfit, we do club nights.. basically we do all sorts involved with music.

SK: You do a lot! So how you and T.Williams link up to form Deep Teknologi
S: I've actually know T.Williams for about 10/11 years. We was involved in a different genre of music in a different time of our life's. I meet him when I was working at Uptown Records, at the time he was under the producer name 'Dready' and had a track tearing up the grime scene called 'Invasion' the thing about him is that he was so cool, as most producers who came into Uptown used to be really up themselves. We kinda just struck up a friendship from there, we was friends whether it was music or not. We decided to link up about a year ago after previously working on stuff individually and it doing really well. It just made sense really and we haven't looked back since.

SK: Wow, I mean I only came across you on your interview on the MA1 Show on Rinse FM (Saturdays 5pm-7pm GMT) so only since 09.. Your very young.
S: Well, yeah probably about 2 or 3 months before you heard that interview on Rinse. In terms of how long we have been involved in music, its been a hell of a long time. I mean T. Williams has been producing since the age of 13, Deep Teknologi is our new baby.

SK: Ok, so what exactly is the Deep Teknologi Sound and explain in no more than five words
S: Well, it's definitely Deep, Hard, Cutting-Edge, Fresh and Dynamic

SK: Your record label Deep Teknologi Recordings, whats the concept behind your releases?
S: Well at the moment we have three other producers Don Morris, Zander Hardy & J. Bevin on the label and we are always looking for more producers, if you feel you have the right material for our label get in contact with us! In terms of a concept, I guess its about keeping it different and new. We find that a lot of people find a formula and keep on hammering that sound with like 5 or 6 tunes. I don't see us that doing that because we go so many producers and their is so much material stocked up that we don't really have to keep on repeating sounds. It's about keeping it dynamic and fresh, the one thing that will be consistent is the quality.

SK: So you guys being Deep Teknologi and yet having a lot of different producers on your record label isn't that a bit confusing to people?
S: Well the motto of Deep Teknologi is that the music speaks for itself, so it's not about me, T.Williams or anyone else involved, what we are trying to build is a brand which you can associate with good music, good club nights and good video production. We not interested in personality really, we more happy with people thinking its good rather then exactly what it is.

SK: Right so the music you do create, what programs and tools do you use? What's your studio set-up like?
S: Pretty much every one in the camp uses logic and various plug-ins. Don Morris uses cubase, he is slightly different in how he makes his style. Everyone also has their own equipment they use at home. When we want to finish stuff off, we work out of a studio in Wembley with pretty much everything we need hardware and software wise.



SK: Right so let talking one of those creations from your studios 'Anthem'. It's be doing a lot across club land, in both UK Funky and Deep House scene.. You, however have some interesting thoughts about it.
S: Well It actually wouldn't be our favourite track!! It's has done very well to the point where it's actually been signed alongside 'Afrik' and 'Flooring' We was about to release it ourselves but because of the interest its had, it's now been taken up by someone higher than us and hopefully it will get that extra push it needs. It's definitely a track that has helped to put us on the map. It's definitely not rubbish, but it's definitely not our personal choice of material!

SK: I remember once you was saying about it being on your myspace and you getting messages about actually sending out the track to various people. That sounds like a big part of why it's even out there!
S: Well yeah, we put it up there, we put it on a couple of CDs, then we gave it to Scholar-T and he played it at Persona (Every Sunday, Fridge Bar, Brixton) the reaction it was getting was amazing, literally every week it was tearing down the roof! He would give us this feedback and from that everyone started asking for it, but not just UK Funky DJs. All manors of people from Sinden to Kode 9 and Ikonika, that introduced them and others to our sound because 'In Da Groove' was our first release.

SK: So it's about giving out some promo to a few DJs and trying to make sure your getting feedback from those DJs if they play it.
S: Without a doubt but don't expect to give it to a DJ and expect it to be the biggest thing out there the day after they play it. 'Anthem' has actually been circulating for about a year now, it didn't happen overnight and nothing that we have done has happened overnight. It may look that way but in the background we have been working hard to make sure that things are ready and proper.

SK: So who are you guys working with and who else would you like to work with?
S: We are currently working with our extended family members Cooly G, MA1, Ben Westbeech, also Tayo and a guy called Clipz. We would like to work with Claude Vonstroke, Dennis Ferrer, Quentin Harris but really we willing to work with anyone so long as the quality is of a standard.

SK: So what is happening in the near future?
S: We done a track with Terri Walker, which has been getting a really positive reaction from the few who have heard it. It may come a surprise to some people as it's not hard as say our normal stuff but yet we not planning in putting ourselves in a box of a certain sound. We like all styles of house really but what we make now is not necessarily what we will make next year. We are launching our club night also called LOGIK, a bi-monthly event down in The Russian Bar, Shoreditch. It's gonna be cheap to get and do not expect to come in and hear the top 10!! The DJs have free rain to play whatever they want, so long as it's quality. We we have big names there and others who we just like. We also looking to expand the more visual side with things like Cooly G TV and other projects.
SK: So what about Deep Teknologi TV!!!??!!
S: Well we would be stupid not to because we have the capabilities but really like I said we more interested to make the music do the talking. You will see more of us though. Up until recently people didn't know what we looked it..



SK: Yeah man, all the pictures I see of you guys are the back of your heads, level 1 trims and new era hats!! I'm like what do this guys look like!
S: (Laughs) It's not about us, its about our music.. We not interested in being celebrities, letting everyone know what we doing, eating or wearing!! Eventually people will know who we are but for the time being we keeping it low key.

SK: So what producers are you feeling outside your camp and extended family?
S: We could be here all day!! You got me on this one!! I do like Joy Orbison, Zinc and Geeneus though but really I like anyone that is making music a good quality.

SK: Ok, so let me put it to you this way, what was the last track you got and you was feeling, who was the producer of that?
S: Marco Del Horno from Rinse sent me something by the name Kappa Kappa, when I heard that I was yeah this is BIG!

SK: So what about DJ's also, who are you feeling besides the camp and extended family?
S: Some fake Sef.. He aite!!
SK: (LAUGHS)
S: I went Rinse & FWD the other night and heard Chef, he was brilliant, he had one of the best sets on the night. I know I'm being biased but my boy El-Kapitan, I love Zinc but there is so many good DJs though with the electronic ages DJs are using different tools to be innovative and exciting.

SK: So what is your favourite track right now?
S: (Opens Serato Playlist) My favourite tune right now don't even have a name!! It's a Breach (aka Ben Westbeech) remix of a Sizzla track. That tune is doing it for me.. It has so much energy!

SK: New producers, what advice would you give them into making some success from their material?
S: Just keep on it!! Don't be down hearted if a DJ dont play your track. Also don't think your shit don't stink!! You need to be humble. Know it takes time also, there is rare people who come through the door who make their first track and bang its amazing straight away. That's an exception to the rule rather then the rule. It's about taking your time and making sure that your stuff sounds quality, you cant expect people to play something that you wouldn't play yourself. Just because your friends says it's amazing... that might not nessacarily be the case. Don't copy anyone also, try find your own sound.

SK: Where do see yourself in the next 3 years?
S: Hopefully continuing to do what we love and progressing really

SK: Any goals??
S: I don't really wanna say, i dont really know, whatever comes along comes along. As long as we doing it and doing it well then we happy...

SK: Ok so tell us something interesting and unknown about Deep Teknologi
S: Well it's not really unknown but I DO HATE ARSENAL! T.Williams loves them
SK: Boi! Must be intense in the studio after an Utd victory, do you guys take a break from each other??
S: Nah, but I do have a big mouth!! I wind him up so much now, I think he don't care, he has given up!! Apart from that I dunno really!! There are aint any skeletons in the closet

SK: If you wasn't doing music or videos, what do you think you would be doing
S: I would be doin either music or video!! (Lol) Maybe football but when I started doing videos, I was doing football anyway. So yeah I've been fortunate to be able to be able to what I've always to do in life and I thank Allah, long may it continue

From Left To Right - T.Williams, S.E.F., Cooly G, Ben Westbeech, DJ MA1

SK: What been your best moment so far in the one year of Deep Teknologi?
S: Getting in FACT Magazine, being named one of the top ten producers to look out for this year. Seeing the reaction of our tracks when we play out also, it's like the best feeling!

SK: On the FACT Magazine, how do you feel about that. Do you have any added pressure living up to the billing of being a top 10 producer to look out for?
S: Not really, I love it!! It's an honour! We don't feel like we have to do anything different to what we've been doing anyway, just carrying on as we are.

SK: So is there any special tools you using whilst DJin?
S: T.Williams prefers using CDs, I do like Serato but do feel its still not 100%. I feel tighter using CDs than Serato because Serato still does make mistakes. It's not an excuse but I just think it's not 120%. I recently got a new midi controller for my samples n loops for Serato, I don't really like touching the computer, I wanna feel something like im actually using records or CDs, I don't want to be pressing buttons on a computer.

SK: So apart from your night where can we catch you spinning?
S: Well you can catch us at Grammophone and Matter end of the Feb. On the same night as our night we are also playing Coronet for a night called Together. In May we playing in a car park...
SK: EY!!!!!???!!
S: Yeh!! We playing in a car park and the line-up is UNREAL!! London hasnt seen anything like this for a long time. Keep your eyes wide open on this one!

SK: What your thought on Sound Cloud?
S: It's amazing, it's instant, you can see very quickly if your stuff is working or not. We definitely on the new age of promoting music, so myspace, forums and ustream.. we down for it.

SK: What about people ripping your music from these sites?
S: Good luck to them! We own the copyrights so it's not really a problem. It's inevitable that these things happen and you cant really stop, so the industry should look at ways to embrace and make money from it because looking at selling records.. those days are gone.



SK: So where can we find your material?
S: Our previous release, you can find our stuff on places like iTunes and Juno. We have recently signed a couple of deals, so our stuff will be literally everywhere. So for DJs we talking, Traxsource, Beatport, DJDownload to name a few. So of our stuff has been signed by another label and that will be available as a vinyl n digital download.

SK: Right, the link ups and progress is very strong.. Is 2010 Deep Teknologi's year?
S: I certainly hope so! If it finishes the way it started, we will have a great year, not just for us though, the music scene in general because it's lonely at the top and you will have a hell of a lot of people trying to bring you down.

SK: How you feel about the scene you play in? Is it getting received well?
S: I can't speak for other events, but without a doubt where have been playing the reaction has been amazing and the people are quite open minded to new stuff.
SK: So really the music that you and producers you circulate with create music for the 'open-minded'
S: Yeah, I think so, people got bored, like too much of the same thing was coming out and people wanted a change. You kinda need that period where stuff gets kinda crap, so better stuff can come around and I think towards the end of last year and now, the stuff has got a hell of a lot better.

SK: Anything happening abroad for you guys?
S: We hope to be going to a festival in Morocco and their has been interested from Europe but nothing concrete, I'm pretty sure you will be hearing us abroad in the near future though.

SK: Do you have many followers outside of the UK?
S: Yeah we have a nice amount, it's funny because our first followers to message us was from Japan. Since then it's got quite big, stuff like Sound Cloud gives us the change to check who have been listening to our stuff. We had someone from Eastern Europe check us out.. I cant even remember the name but it was the last place on earth that I expected!

SK: So what is Deep Teknologi's biggest strength and weakness
S: Whooaa.. Our strength is a our Unity.. Someone would have to point out our weakness!!

SK: Thanks very much Mr S.E.F. all the best for the coming year!
S: Thanks Bro, Peace!!

More From Deep Teknologi:

Check Out Deep Teknologi 5.0 A Brand New Mix

Buy The Reality Check EP by Don Morris On Deep Teknologi Recordings Right Here

Check Out Forthcoming Productions From Deep Teknologi On Their Myspace

Join Their Fanpage on Facebook

Follow Them On Twitter

Catch Deep Teknologi Every Sunday on UStream At No Specific Time Right Here

Artist Feature: Two Cultured Minds Sef Kombo Meets The Infinite Boys

With the Afro Power Series doing so well and a great feature on Rowick Deep in November 09, I felt it only right to catch up with another hot up and coming producer from Africa. This time in the shape of the duo The Infinite Boys having featured already on Afro Power Vol.1 and Vol.2 and on the forthcoming Vol.3. I caught up with them to briefly find out a lil bit more about these two amazing talents. Sef Kombo: Who makes up The Infinite Boys and what's behind the name? Infinite Boys: Infinite Boys is formed by two dynamic duo brothers (Raphael and Antony)........Infinite Boys its a gradually growing brand, lifestyle and with infinite passion for music. SK: When did you guys start producing/djing and what artists were your inspiration? IB: We started both djing and producing in 2005......Locally we were inspired by Oskido, Mbuso, DJ Fresh and internationally we were inspired by Blaze, Louie Vega, Mr. V and Kerri Chandler SK: Describe The Infinite Boys sound? IB: We mainly focusing on deep house and afro house and we would like to experiment on lounge and jazz SK: What is your studio setup like? IB: Samson Studio Monitors, M-Audio Midi keyboard, Mobile Pre USB Preamp Audio Interface and B-1 Behringer Condenser Microphone.............but its still a Mobile Studio hey SK: Tell us a lil bit about your label Infinite Records IB: Infinite Records was established late in 2008 by Infinite Boys (Raphael and Antony).The label mainly focuses on undiscovered talented producers worldwide who produce afro house, deep tech, deep house and lounge SK: How is the scene in South Africa? IB: We so proud about the scene this side because South Africa has been rated the best country to appreciate house music SK: Where do you see the Afro house scene going? IB: The Afro scene we feel is the future because it really expresses our culture and represent our ancestors SK: Who are some of the producers your feeling at the moment? IB: Locally we feeling all Infinite Records crew, Internationally we are feeling Boddhi Satva, Halo, Atjazz and Rocco SK: You hooked up with Qness to do a deeper mix of Uzongilinda, how did that come about? IB: We first heard the Abicah Soul remix on radio and fell in love with the vocals and we approched Qness to hand us the seperates to do additional mixes, so thats when we did the deeper mix. SK: Who else will you be working with in the near future? Who would you like to work with? IB: We'll be releasing our EP with City Deep owned by Halo and we busy with the remix of Aero Manyelo ft. Ernest Masiku that will come out under Nulu Music label owned by Anane Vega. We would like to work with Rocco, Blaze, Atjazz and Louie Vega SK: We see the likes of Black Coffee & Culoe de Song doing videos for their tracks, is that an avenue you wanna pursue soon? IB: Yes thats an avenue we wana pursue but in the long term SK: What's else is next for you? IB: We busy with our radio show (Vogue) that will be showcasing exclusive tracks produced by upcoming producers and mainly focuses on deep house, afro house and lounge. SK: What would you say is the Infinite Boys best productions? IB: Qness ft. Malehloka - Uzongilinda (Infinite Boys Deeper Mix) Mr O ft. Richard The Percussionist - Khoison (Infinite Boys Roots Mix) Infinite Boys ft. Lil Soul - Dreams (Vocal Mix) Infinite Boys - Marimba Soul (Afrotech Mix) SK: Tell us something we dont know about The Infinite Boys IB: Raphael is doing Btech in internal Auditing at UNISA and Antony is doing Sound Engineering at ASE SK: Thanks guys, it's been a pleasure IB: Peace Remember to catch The Infinite Boys' music on Afro Power Vol.1 & Vol.2!!! Also check out and purchase their Deeper Mix of Qness - Uzongilinda Here Their entire cataloge of released music on AfrodesiaMP3 Here