Represent Review: Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2010
Between bracing the Cape winds, running between stages and having dinner with Bilal (coughcough), our two fabulous Jozi representer’s Lebogang and Akona (you’re always a Jozi girl for us) still managed to cover the Cape Town International Jazz Festival for us this year… and with such panache… What can we say besides a massive Sharpile. Watch your snailmail for your thank yous 😉 See Lebogang’s gorgeous photostory of the event here and read Akona’s review below: Represent! This year’s 11th annual Cape Town Jazz Festival, which took place last weekend, once again got it’s stamp of approval for being one of the grandest music festivals in the country, I also think this event, previously known as North Sea Jazz Festival, is one of the better organised festivals out there save for the crazy Cape Town wind trying to get it’s time in the spotlight. The line – up was incredible, the most exciting part for me are the number of fusion artists I had never heard of – you see, the Jazz Fest for me is the place I go to be introduced to new music without being caught out as an ignoramus by die-hard fans. T his is where the artists have to bear their souls through their craft, this is where they introduce themselves to the possibility of new fans – me being one of them of course. 42 acts, over two nights, on 5 stages = a whole lot of dancing, singing, crying, with a healthy dose of soul touching music to keep you entertained. On the first night, with a late start to the evening, I was blown away not only by the Cape Town wind at the ‘Bassline’ stage (which was setup outside of the International Convention Centre) but also by the Japanese fusion jazz group – a six man group playing what I’d call dance music, with a very jazzy root. It was impossible not to be mesmerized not only by their energy, but the way in which they got the audience involved, singing hooks, dancing, clapping along and creating a measurable heat out in the open stage (audience by now had to do just about everything not to succumb to the thrashing of the wind). What was most important is how the band didn’t seem bothered nor allowed themselves to be distracted by the wind and sand smacking them about on stage, they never skipped a beat – at one point I saw the saxophonist cough out some dirt only after blowing his instrument to the tunes. The Soil and Pimp Sessions is a vibrant band who transcend any expectations, MC, trumpet,...
Bilal joins the Line-Up at Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Oh, to hear the opening strains to Soul Sister, to close our eyes and be swept away by the swelling vocal crescendos of Sometimes… damn, Bilal playing at this years Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the best news since we heard about our poor Guru (who by the way is thankfully out of his coma). It was so dope to see Bilal a few years ago at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, where he mesmerized the crowd and had ladies nearly nekked with lurve for his sexy ways… We’re sure Bilal will deliver hands down once again and we urge you of course to GO GO GO. We will try to see just how up close and personal we can get. Bilal, one of the world’s most well-respected and highly sought after live acts performing exquisite, pitch-perfect, old-soul hip-hop tinged vocal gymnastics like no other completes the line-up for the 11th Cape Town Jazz Festival. From the humble streets of Philadelphia to The Big Apple, Brooklyn has been the aural disseminator’s base from where three albums worth of brilliance have, thus far, been realised. As his keen insistence saw him plough through and challenge his chosen genre Bilal quickly caught the attention and made fans of soul jazz legends Giles Peterson, the Roots, Dr. Dre, Jay Z and Raphael Saddiq. It was Erykah Badu who, upon hearing his early Brooklyn demo’s, hired the prodigy to not only perform, but also produce her 2000 album Mama’s Gun. Dedicated to old-school, the former jazz musician navigates comfortably around all things percussion, organ and guitar-based. In 2001, at the age of only 21, Bilal’s aptly titled 17-track autobiographical debut 1st Born Second shook the larger neo-soul tree to way beyond its knotted root core where it celebrated comparisons to the true greats. The most memorable confirmation came when critics set it up alongside D’Ángelo’s 2000 Voodoo album, labelling it the ‘smoother stepchild’. From there the rollercoaster was well and truly set in its tracks and was hurtling, at blinding speed, up the charts and into live arena’s right around the world. “His voice – including a terrific falsetto, can still a room. He has the ability to head in unexpected directions, at the edge of off-key, only to bring back the song with emotional satisfaction that comes when risks pay off” – The Boston Globe In 2003 he delivered his startling second collection of songs titled Love For Sale. The album was never officially released, but rather bootlegged by hungry fans and one which Vibe magazine tagged ‘psycho soul’. From “How Do You Do You” and “All The Humans...
If you don’t know Hype-M yet…
Then you probably don’t know about Hype-M’s Zeitgeist list either. Tut Tut. Well stick with us more often and you’ll learn all about this kind of INVALUABLE juicy musical jewel… Simpy put, besides those hyper-wack pirate bay kind of places, Hype-M is probably the best place to find free and remixed music (well it’s our best place). But even more importantly than that it’s how you know what the world’s listening to, not only today, but tomorrow too. Quick quick, all you slaves to trends and stealers of secrets, lap it up fast so you can own it and pretend it was all your idea (once again) : http://hypem.com/zeitgeist/2009 We cannot get enough of the GORGEOUS artwork that accompanies each band in this year’s Top 50 list, stunning… the Major Lazer image we show you in this post is by Andrew Strasser. Naas. We, on the other hand, having greased the palms of many a super internet whizzkid, have been using Hype-M for a while now and can claim to have been all over the following bands from the zeitgeist list from 2008 already – so if the list is a bit overwhelming for you, here’s our recommendations … you can also follow us on Twitter right here – where we always blab on about our latest favourite song. 1. The XX 2. Sebastien Tellier 3. TV On the Radio 4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs 5. Little Boots 6. La Roux 7. Major Lazer 8. Lykke Li 9. Bon Iver 10. Cut Copy 11. Florence and the Machine 12. Kid Cudi PS: Thanks Hype-M you...
WHO’S YOUR MAMA? MTV Mama Awards Pre-party
Not only is it the monthly banging MTV Base party this Friday, but this month’s shindig heralds in the MTV MAMA’s taking place next week in the fair land of Masai warriors, vast stretching plains and wildebeest gunning it around in massive herds – you guessed it, Kenya. Latinova in Rosebank will be hosting the MTV Africa Music Awards party on Friday, 2 October in anticipation of the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards to be held in there on the 10th of October. Join us at our MTV base night on 2 October at Latinova in Rosebank as we celebrate the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain. The MTV base night’s have become one of the most anticipated monthly events on the social calendar. Hosted on the first Friday of every month, base nights is the place to be. Throw on your freshest threads and make sure you’re at the Latinova, in Rosebank to celebrate till sun up. There’ll be a killah performance from Shugasmakx or Smakx, as he is affectionately known as well as Slikour, one of the founding members of Skwatta Kamp. Kwela Tebza and Slikour will be performing their hit single ‘Umsindo’. To add to the party mayhem, ex Yo TV presenter, Psyfo, will be performing a couple of his chart topping hits from his newly released album “The After Party”. Catch his new single “Double Cross”, as it hits the MTV base play list from Wednesday, 23 September. Mixing it up till sunrise on the decks is DJ’s Dimplez, C-Live, Milkshake and resident DJ Biz. Your host with the most for the night is MTV base VJ Sizwe. Tickets available at the door. Dress code – award winning threads! Follow the base nights page on FB, and on http://mtvstreetteam.blogspot.com for competitions, reviews and...
Levi’s® Vintage Sunday returns to Durban
Deben, it’s your turn for a bout of stunning Sundays. Topping and tailing with two of our favourite artists – Roly Struckmeyer on the 4th October and 340ml on the 25th October, not to mention the legendary Steven Newman (ex Tananas) on the 18th, the Durban line-up is packing some real punch: After taking Pretoria by storm and giving local music fans a reason to look forward to Sunday nights, Levi’s® Vintage Sundays heads down to Durban for October, turning La Scarpetta into the venue of choice for those who want to rock the new week in with their favourite bands. For the fifth year running music lovers all over South Africa are set to have their Sunday nights reinvented and reinvigorated with Levi’s® Vintage Sundays, Mzansi’s most consistent and comprehensive showcase of local musical talent Three incredible individuals line up to kick off the party on the 4th. A fixture on the music scene in Durban since the late 80’s, Pietermaritzburg born acoustic guitarist and vocalist Roly Struckmeyer is first to take to the stage. With a delivery that will stop you in your tracks, he has the power to evoke and engage, making him a hit with a live audience. Second in line is Luke Siedle who’s incredible instrumental skills are complemented by sincere lyrics, resulting in a musical narrative that finds resonance with a diverse range of devoted fans. You’ll find the roots of folk, rock and country in his music, all reworked to reflect this rising star’s uniquely beautiful take on the world. Farryl Purkiss rounds the evening off with his ever-soulful, always observant and beautifully composed guitar tracks. The man with a golden voice and heartfelt performances is going to show you exactly why he spends most of his time on the road gigging. Starting things off on the 11th is Gary Thomas. He is constantly writing songs that challenge both himself, his instrument and his audience and who balances meticulously crafted songwriting with dynamic vocals and contained improvisation. He’s followed by Syd Kitchen – his musical territory knows no bounds, and his long list of collaborations and diverse projects is testament to his insatiable love for music and performance. A man who speaks from the heart, Syd’s compositions are truly African offerings, speaking both musically and lyrically about life on the continent. Rounding it off is Guy Buttery with his unconventional guitar and percussive techniques whose intricate soul-searching arrangements find their way into every heart that hears him. The following Sunday, the 18th, is an opportunity to experience three of South Africa’s most talented acts. Multi-instrumentalist Greg Georgiades takes to the stage with...
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