01 DJ Kent Club Mix (7:16) 02 DJ Black Coffee Remix (7:30) 03 Reprise (5:48)
This track has been doing the rounds in club land and finally get released under DiverseCity Music, following on from it's last release, the brilliant 'Clap Your Hands' This is a beautifully crafted piece of work with a simple yet effective drum pattern and piano keys with gorgeous mesmerising vocals coming from Malehloka. Im still very much torn between which is the better version, to be fair they both as good as each other so you can go wrong in buying the whole package!! I included the Black Coffee remix in my latest Sef Sessions Podcast which you can check out HERE
Black Coffee does it again! This time linking up with vocal sensation Thiwe on this absolutely beautiful release, now Soulistic Music have finally dropped the video for my track of 2010 so far 'Crazy' - Ee-mastered and signed to Foliage Records & featuring on Afro Power Vol.3 & the 'Culoe de Song Winter Mix' on The Sef Sessions - Summer Special
Another fantastic video, no wonder it was top of Traxsource charts for almost 4 weeks, its a simply amazing track
FRESSSSH N EXCLUSIVE.. ONE OF THE BIGGEST HOUSE TUNES TO DATE, CREATING A STORM AT EVERY SINGLE EVENT GETS ITS OWN VIDEO, AFTER THE PROMO VID HAD OVER 2 MILLION VIEWS IT WAS JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!
Its been nothing short of a great year for South African House music, none more than for Black Coffee and Bucie.. with their current music smashing up every dance floor across the world! Hot off the WMC 2010, Soulistic Music have dropped another video for the very hot single 'Superman' - Now re-mastered and signed to Jellybean Soul & featuring on The Sef Sessions Mix 12
I cant say anything more then enjoy this beautiful sounding track and lovely looking video!!
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
Brand new video from arguably South Africa's best vocal talent!! This comes off her last album entitled 'Turn Me On' - Love the vibes created on this track!! Afro House is really TOOOOOO MUUUCCCCCH!!
Another video coming from South Africa and this is a monster, really representing the true Afro House sound.
Culoe De Song is only eighteen years old and he is already an international ambassador for South Africa’s ever popular house music scene. After having his own music signed to InnerCityVisions, one of the biggest house music labels in the world, and attending the Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona last year, Culoe is fast becoming a sought after DJ in the underground dance music scene in Europe, having already travelled to Italy, Germany, Belgium, Amsterdam and only 2 weeks ago Tribe Records in Corsica Studios, London to play his own brand of deep, electro-house. Part 1 of his debut album entitled “Giant Leap” includes “Webaba” featuring Busi Mhlongo which is burning up the airways and club circuit in South Africa and the four comers of the globe.
Come across this nicely crafted video by Nathan Adams & Zepherin Saint. Holding On is Tribe Records seventh release but their 1st video. Following up from the excellent 1st release 'Circles' by the same duo in March 08 this track with its carnival vibe to it I like a lot. Watch out for more Tribe Records heat this year!! Check this out!!
Buy Holdin On (Incl. Timmy Regisford & Adam Rios Remixes) Right Here
After the current success of Afro Power Vol.1 and newly released Vol.2, I felt it only right to take it a step further and feature a producer on the compilations. Rowick Deep is an exciting producer who has just released his debut Album entitled ‘Music Is Life’ and I caught up with man himself to ask him some questions.
Sef Kombo: For those who don't know about you, tell us where you are from and what you do? Rowick Deep: Hi, go by the name of Rowick Deep and I am Producer/DJ who is based in South Africa. I produce world-class music and have shared the decks with some of the pioneers of dance/house music in Africa.
S.K: What is it like producing in Africa? R.D: It’s a quite exciting because South Africa is one of the world’s largest consumers of house music. So naturally, the environment (Music industry) is any producer’s dream.
S.K: How would describe your sound? R.D: My sound is diverse and unique to its target market. I produce tracks which relate to most people. I believe that music should touch everyone.
S.K: How have you been influenced by your surroundings? R.D: I ‘ve come from a musical background. You could say that my uncle, Dominique, really sparked my passion for music. As to now, anything from a song on the radio to a track produced by another producer influences my music. But I try to channel those influences in a good way.
S.K: What has been your response from the people in your country to your music? R.D: The response has been great, I mean, I’ve been around the industry for the past decade or so and the fanbase is growing each day. The people in South Africa are very receptive to new material. As a result its not difficult to capture the audience.
S.K: What direction are you looking to take your music? R.D; I’d like to continue producing, and maybe one day, I’ll be the jack of trades in the sense that I’ll produce for other genres beyond house/dance music.
S.K: What tools are you using to create your music? R.D: I use software programs Q-Base and Reason. Both I find are quite user –friendly.
S.K: So Your Latest Project ‘Music Is Life’, What can we expect from the album? R.D: My album basically takes the listener on a musical journey of my growth thus far. There is a lot of diversity in the album, because I wanted to cater to a wider market. I would say there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.
S.K: What is the reason behind the title name 'Music is Life'? R.D: ‘Music is my life’-I live, eat and breathe music. It flows in everything I do. And a lot of people can relate to the title, so I guess it was suitable.
S.K: How long did it take you to put the album together? R.D: The first draft took about 3 months, then another month or two perfect the tracks for the master mixing. So in total about 5 months.
S.K: You have a album tour, can we more have information about that? R.D: As I am based in South Africa, my tours are in and around the country. I’m currently touring the “Music is Life Tour” at all major cities in South Africa. But would love to get the opportunity to tour in the UK and Europe, to share my music with the world.
S.K: How do you feel the Afro House scene right at this minute? Where are the places to go? R.D: At the moment, its booming. There is a great buzz around it and getting guys like Black Coffee who are producing top quality music is always a great way to market to talent in South Africa. In South Africa, the dj’s travel to the masses. So the fans usually follow where ever the dj’s go, which is throughout the country.
S.K: Who should we be also looking out for in the Afro house scene? R.D: In South Africa, I would say Black Coffee, Culoe de Song and myself, of course!
S.K: Are many African producers collaborating with producers outside of Africa, who would you like to work with? R.D: Not many producers are venturing beyond the African shores when producing tracks. Most are concerned with the different variations of style the both producers may bring to the sound/track. I aspire to work with the likes of Boddha Satva, Rocco, Frank Roger, Charles Webster to name a few.
S.K: Are you aware of any UK house producers? R.D: Yes, I am producers such as Kinetic P, Steve Lawler , Soulsearcher, etc.
S.K: What you advice to any young people in Africa looking to get into music? R.D: Basically, just work hard, remain focused on your goals, and work smartly (market yourself well-let your reputation sell you as a brand)
S.K: What is next for you? R.D: Releasing “Music is Life Vol.2”, to grow my label RoDeep Records and to just keep producing those massive floor-fillers!!
S.K: Where can we catch you DJin? and Where can we find yourself and music online? R.D: In and around South Africa and Africa. You can find more about me on my website RowickDeep.com and find my current album ‘Music is Life’ and other material including remixes on Afrodesia
S.K: Thanks Rowick!! R.D: Sho Sef
Remember to catch Rowick’s music on Afro Power Vol.1 & Vol.2!!!
Here is one video from Rowick's album entitled: 'Music Is Life'
Black Coffee’s “Home Brewed” hits the shelves with the first part of a series of releases. Included are “The Chameleon” featuring old school super star Black Moses as well as “Juju” featuring the super cool vocals of Zakes. This is the brand video for the latter of the two and I tell you something this track and video is awesome!!!
If you don't know about Afro House music now... You MUST know about it now!! FANTASTIC!!
I just came across a very nice music video for BlackCoffee's original version of "Turn Me On". Gogo Music from Germany released this project at the turn of the year with hot new remixes by Raw Artistic Soul. You can hear the original on DJ Sef... In The 'Funkin' House Vol.6 and the remix on The Sef Sessons Podcast Mix 5
It has taken far too long to come out for those who are aware of its initial existence, none the less I absolutely love this song and it will take an almighty effort from a bunch of tracks to keep it out of my top five of my 'Top 20 2009 Releases' chart.
BlackCoffee is one of South Africa's most respected house music artists. As a DJ he played in all South African top clubs and scooped a SAMA Award (South African Dance Music Award) for best dance album in 2006. To date his fame is by far not bordered to South Africa anymore, as he was for example chosen in 2006 and in 2007 to represent South Africa at the Red Bull academy in Barcelona, played numerous gigs in Europe and released on Real Tone Records
