MOLO - EP Out Now
We are so proud to announce the release of a brand new 4-track EP from our recording project in Johannesburg last year. The title – MOLO – is Xhosa for hello. This is the first release on our new record label, Africa Express Records. We hope you love it as much as we do.
Get it here: https://africa-express.lnk.to/Molo
Featured artists are BCUC, Blk Jks, Blue May, Damon Albarn, Georgia, Ghetts, Gruff Rhys, Infamous Boiz, Mr Jukes, Moonchild Sanelly, Morena Leraba, Muzi, Nick Zinner, Otim Alpha, Phuzekhemisi, Poté, Radio 123, Remi Kabaka, Sho Madjozi, and Zolani Mahola
Video shot by Denholm Hewlett & Edited by Matt Cronin
Artwork by Gareth Halliday
We would like to dedicate this record to our friend and legend, DJ Spoko.
In Honour of DJ Spoko
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of a true giant of African music, Marvin ‘DJ Spoko’ Ramalepe (15/08/82 – 14/03/18). The young electronic music producer was born in Limpopo, and grew up in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, honing his love for music as part of the Hip-Hop crew GBE. DJ Spoko went on to create and enrich various musical styles that swept through South Africa and eventually the world, including Sghubu Sa Pitori, Direkere and most famously Bacardi House and Shangaan Electro.
Marvin went on to put his city on the map and redefine South African house through monumental songs such as ‘Mugwanti’, ‘Township Funk’ and ‘Cucumba’, alongside colleagues such as Mujava. He moved to further pushed the envelope by fusing his style of production with maskandi and rock as part of the collective Fantasma.
Marvin enjoyed global acclaim and was at the beginning of a promising touring career when he was struck by illness. Never one to give up, Marvin put his love of music to the world until the very last days of his life.
His great talent, uncanny wisdom, sense of humour and charm will be missed by his friends, family, and fans around the world. He was a true pioneer who despite his humble background, used his abilities to make a living for himself and inspire many people around the world.
DJ Spoko’s funeral service will be this weekend in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Any contributions towards the wellbeing of his 3 young children, will be greatly appreciated. Continue to support and share his music, and keep the legacy of The King of Snares alive.
DJ Spoko – Discography
DJ Spoko & Mugwanti – Mugwanti (2010)
DJ Spoko – Ghost Town (2013)
Fantasma – Eye Of The Sun EP (2014)
Fantasma – Free Love (2015)
DJ Spoko – BACARDIXVILP (2016)
Spoko* & Aguayo* – Dirty Dancing (12″) 2017
Words by Spoek Mathambo
Africa Express Presents…Terry Riley’s In C Mali in Paris May 21st
We’re glad to bring Africa Express presents… In C Mali to Louis Vuitton Foundation’s Nuit Européene des Musées. This African version of the Terry Riley classic was first conceived following our 2013 trip to Bamako’s Maison Des Jeunes. It brings together contemporary composer André de Ridder and 16 different musicians playing instruments as diverse as kora, balafon, guitar, peul flute, delta harp, riti, kalimbas and more. In keeping with Riley’s instructions, the performance is partially improvised. Each instrumentalist is free to chose the number of times they repeat one of the 53 short phrases which make up the piece. This creates an unending musical kaleidoscope.
Andre De Ridder will be joined by the exceptional Cheick Diallo (flute), Hawa Kasse Mady of Trio Da Kali (vocalist) and guitarists Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers) and Bryce Dessner (The National). This will be the first performance of the piece since Summer of 2016 when we brought In C Mali to Nuits Des Fourvieres and Holland Fest.
Africa Express Presents… In C Mali takes place on Sunday 21st May at 5pm Fondation Louis Vuitton, tickets here
Watch the debut performance of In C Mali in the Turbine Gallery at Tate Modern in London, Nov 2014.
Header Photo by Lol Willems
Record Store Day Vinyl Release for The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Guests
This year Record Store Day turns 10 on April 22nd. And what’s more, you’ll be able to get your hands on the vinyl edition of Africa Express Presents… The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Guests! This gatefold double LP is on 180gram vinyl, with cover art from Ayman Oghanna (front cover photo) and Tammam Azzam (back cover).Read more about the making of the album here and watch last summer’s Royal Festival Hall show below.
The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Guests was made possible with the support of Google Play Music and co commissioned by 14-18 Now & Holland Festival.
Africa Express Presents...The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians and Guests Album Out Now!
We’re delighted to announce the release of a live album entitled Africa Express Presents… The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians & Guests, which is out now on Transgressive Records! Click here to stream and download the album exclusively on Google Play Music.
We recorded the album live in June when The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians came together for the first time since the conflict in their country flared up five years ago. They were joined by artists from Britain, Syria, Algeria, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Turkey, Tunisia and the United States including Bassekou Kouyaté, Bu Kolthoum, Damon Albarn, Eslam Jawaad, Faia Younan, Julia Holter, Malikah, Mounir Troudi, Noura Mint Seymali, Paul Weller, Rachid Taha and Seckou Keita.
Raghad Haddad, orchestra member (viola) from Damascus said: “The album is very important to us. It was a very unique project, artists from all over the world performing with the most brilliant musicians from Syria. It was an honour for me. And this new album will give people another opportunity to get to know The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians for what we are – passionate, professional musicians.”
The joyous and uplifting album showcases Syrian and Arabic music, alongside unique interpretations of some well-known Western songs. It features tracks recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall – a show described in a 5 star review by the Evening Standard as “an epic paean to their lost homeland”- as well as songs from the storming opening slot on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and the Holland Festival in Amsterdam, Istanbul Jazz Festival and Roskilde Festival in Denmark.
This album was made possible with the support of Google Play Music.
Co commissioned by 14-18 Now & Holland Festival
Full track listing:
# Track Title – Artist
Track listing:
- Intro – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- 3azely – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Wild Wood – Paul Weller & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Yah Mahla El Fus’ha – Faia Younan & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Out of Time – Damon Albarn & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Rakeb 3al Hamra – Mounir Troudi & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Feel You – Julia Holter & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Al Ajaleh – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians feat. Bassekou Kouyaté & Seckou Keita
- Blackbird – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians feat. Damon Albarn & Paul Weller
- Old Damascus – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Richa – Noura Mint Seymali & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- White Flag – Damon Albarn & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians feat. Eslam Jawaad, Malikah, Ceza & Bu Kolthoum
- Ya Rayeh – Rachid Taha & The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
- Oghneyat Men Baladi – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians
In C Mali, live audio from Holland Festival
This summer, we took In C Mali on a mini tour, bringing our interpretation of Terry Riley’s classic to Holland Festival and Les Nuits De Fourviere. We were lucky enough to have NTR record our live show at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as part of Holland Festival on the 25th June. Wrap your ears around the sound of 19 musicians including vocals, guitars, bass, balafons, violin, peul flute, dj/samples, koras, talking drum, n’goni, delta harp, riti and kalimbas.
Tate Modern and Africa Express Present Terry Riley's In C Mali
Marking the 50th anniversary of Terry Riley‘s pioneering masterpiece ‘In C’,Tate Modern, Africa Express and The Space will launch an interactive online film “Tate Modern and Africa Express present In C Mali” later this month.
Led by classical conductor André de Ridder, and produced by Africa Express, the first African version of the minimalist classic was recorded in Bamako, Mali in 2013 with local musicians. The film will feature a live performance of the work, intercut with iconic minimalist works from the Tate Collection.
An album ‘Africa Express Presents… Terry Riley’s In C Mali’ will be released by Transgressive Records later this year.
MAISON DES JEUNES BONUS TRACKS RELEASED FOR #TRANGRESSIVE10
In celebration of their 10th Anniversary, Transgressive Records have been releasing a new track everyday for the last 29 days. Today saw the release of three bonus tracks from Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes produced by the likes of Lil Silva, Jeff Wooton and Two Inch Punch. From the slow burning, atmospheric ‘Maliora’ to the delicately layered ‘Loop (Mali Guitare)‘ these bonus tracks encompass the diversity of Maison Des Jeunes.
Grab your free downloads of the three stunning tracks here – and watch the new video for Gambari feat. Kankou Kouyaté’s ‘Yamore’ below. Maison Des Jeunes is still available on Amazon/Itunes.