NEW HORIZONS: Young Stars of SA Jazz Vol.2

AFS051 

Following a definitive first volume jam-packed with forward-thinking musical talent working in the South African creative improvised music idiom, New Horizons returns with a fresh iteration of young artists who continue in the same tradition and tone.

The compilation showcases recent recordings from 14 more leading lights in South Africa’s contemporary jazz scene: pianists Thembelihle Dunjana, Afrika Mkhize, Sibusiso ‘Mash’ Mashiloane, Blake Hellaby and Siphephelo Ndlovu’s The SN Project; saxophonists Sisonke Xonti, Muhammad Dawjee and Linda Sikhakhane; singer Spha Mdlalose; drummers Ayanda Sikade, Leagan Starchild and Tefo Mahola; and trumpeters Ndabo Zulu and Marcus Wyatt accompanied respectively by Umgidi Ensemble and The ZAR Jazz Orchestra. 

Together they form part of a vibrant, connected community charting new sonic territory that speaks to today’s troubled times while building on the country’s unique and proud jazz history.

 

AfroSynth · AFS051 New Horizons: Young Stars of SA Jazz Vol.2

TRACKLIST:

A1. Thembelihle Dunjana – Pressin’ On
A2. The SN Project - Afrikanization 
A3. Sisonke Xonti - Sinivile
A4. Muhammad Dawjee ft. Siphephelo Ndlovu - Otherness
B1. Tefo Mahola - First Offering
B2. Ayanda Sikade - Zimkhitha    
B3. Linda Sikhakhane - Inner Freedom
C1. Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane - Ke Mashiloane
C2. Marcus Wyatt & The ZAR Jazz Orchestra - Race for Timbuktu
C3. Spha Mdlalose - Indlela 
D1. Blake Hellaby - Hodge 
D2. Leagan Starchild ft. JustHlo – Fiend [vinyl only]
D3. Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble - Nandi’s Suite (interlude ii)
D4. Afrika Mkhize - Be Still

© 2021 Afrosynth Records

COMPILED BY: DJ Okapi

LINER NOTES: Tseliso Monaheng

COVER ART: Michael McGarry

MASTERED BY: Wouter Brandenburg

DISTRIBUTED BY: Rush Hour, Amsterdam

Order AFS051 here.

NEW HORIZONS: Young Stars of SA Jazz

AFS049

South Africa’s jazz scene today is a vibrant one brimming with young talent. Several have emerged as bandleaders and composers, while at the same time being members of their contemporaries’ collectives - cross-pollinating each other’s music with various influences and pushing South Africa’s proud jazz heritage into the future.

AfroSynth · AFS049 New Horizons

From the trios of pianists Kyle Shepherd, Bokani Dyer and Yonela Mnana, to the genre-defying exploits of guitarists Vuma Levin and Reza Khota; and from artists inspired by age-old traditions, like Lwanda Gogwana and Mandisi Dyantyis, to the cosmic explorations of Siya Makuzeni, Benjamin Jephta, Thandi Ntuli, Zoë Modiga and Shane Cooper’s Mabuta - Afrosynth Records’ upcoming 2xLP compilation New Horizons highlights some of the country’s most talented young composers and bandleaders, as well as a wider cast of supporting musicians.

The current crop of jazz stylists under the spotlight are visionaries in their own right, exceptionally inventive figures who, while they enjoy the advantage and privilege of tapping into the rich musical heritage that preceded them, have brought to bear their creative impulses to collapse boundaries and push frontiers. Welcome to the world of players without borders.  

Compiled by: Shane Cooper & DJ Okapi

Mastered by: Wouter Brandenburg

Liner notes by: Sam Mathe

Cover artwork by: Michael MacGarry

Distributed by: Rush Hour Music

Tracklist:

A1.    Benjamin Jephta Quintet - Evolution, Pt. 2 (B. Jeptha)  3:30

A2.    Thandi Ntuli - Cosmic Light (T. Ntuli)  6:16

A3.    Mabuta - Slipstream  (S. Cooper)  3:07

B1.    Kyle Shepherd Trio - Dream State (K. Shepherd)  6:31

B2.    Lwanda Gogwana – Maqundeni (trad, arr L. Gogwana)  1:58

B3.    Siya Makuzeni Sextet - Out Of This World (S. Makuzeni)  5:46

C1.    Bokani Dyer Trio - Fezile (B. Dyer)  5:50

C2.    Vuma Levin - Hashtag (V. Levin)  2:02

C3     Reza Khota Quartet - Lost Is a Place (R. Khota)  7:48

D1     Zoë Modiga - The Healer (Z. Modiga)  7:25

D2.    Mandisi Dyantyis - Kuse Kude (M. Dyantyis)  4:29

D3.    Yonela Mnana - Leagan (Y. Mnana)  1:45

Out in Q3 2020 - pre-order here!