Herbie Tsoaeli Delights In Love With New Tunes
“Ndiyakudinga is a prayer for love – for honest, patient, revolutionary love as we all continue to try to navigate the times and issues we find ourselves in. It is a prayer that we find freedom in love.”
Having been in the presence of countless South Afrikan jazz Masters throughout my life with all the running arounds, over time I had to learn a lot of discipline during my apprenticeship in this artform as I became a disciple of the music serving under these heroes and heroines. And so I have been in this Self-search path under the guidance and leadership of the Almighty Supreme and the Ancestors in the making of this music, through which I think I am merely a conveyor of (Afrikan Time) messages.
It follows then that ezi ngoma are some of the fruits of a long backyard background history and a testimony of the music of the people from the people by the people from our located spaces and places in the community. I had to honour and pay tribute to these institutions and their people for the teachings and knowledge from the eras and errors of the times. We are thankful and grateful for their contribution in nurturing us in our endeavour to seek and reflect the truth as raw as you hear it live.
Ndiyakudinga
At times one feels it is of great importance to attend to matters black love. Ndiyakudinga is a prayer for us to reach out to the other, and to never tire of reaching out to each other no matter the circumstances.
This song arrived in a moment of immense reverence and gratitude for community, and that is the spirit within which it lives. It was born through reflections on how, despite the desperation our people continue to be forced into, it is them who give space and support for us to take care of our spirits.
Ndiyakudinga is a prayer for love – for honest, patient, revolutionary love as we all continue to try to navigate the times and issues we find ourselves in. It is a prayer that we find freedom in love. After all, we are all we have.
Monwabisi’s Delights
For a long time I have been struggling to compose songs of thanks to all the Legendary Majors Up There and Down Here for their teachings and the music they shared, but finally something has come. SISAHAMBA NAB’EMOYENI! A Dedication Daddy Wiston Mankunku, one of South Afrika’s greatest tenors of all time, deserves two versions – and even two tenors! Monwabisi's Delights is my letter of gratitude to ubhut'Monwabisi, uTshawe, through what he loved: izimumcumuncu in melodies and harmonies noncuthu lomculo. I am impressed by the sound and interpretation of the two young old great tenors,
Sisonke Xonti and Linda Sikhakhane, in these songs. The assignment was to play, hear and feel Bra Winston Mankunku, and I am fascinated by their notes, tone, colour and articulation.
Sharing this music wouldn’t be possible without conversation re-arrangements with the Honourable members of the Isandi Sarona Assembly, Honorable Sista Ladies & Gentle Brothers, Karabo Tsoaeli, Kelebogile Motswatswa, Tumi Tlhoaele, Sibongakonke Mama, Lerato Pakade, Keitumetse Molatlhegi, Abantu Teboho Tamanyane, Lunga Mkila, Elisabeth Callinicos and Sam Nhlengethwa.
I am humbled to have worked with these honourable beautiful people:
Ayanda Ayanda Sikade: Drums
Yonela Mnana: Piano
Lwanda Gogwana: Trumpet
Sisonke Xonti: Tenor Saxophone
Linda Sikhakhane: Tenor Saxophone
Kagiso Ramela: Alto Saxophone
Tshepo Mothwa: Recording, mixing & mastering
Isandi Sarona Assembly: Executive Producer
Mzwandile Buthelezi: Artwork
Herbie Tsoaeli: Bass & composition