ACOUSTIC AFRICA (DVD)
feat. MADALA KUNENE, GREG GEORGIADES, ASHISH JOSHI, BERNARD MNDAWENI, L.A.P. (LIVE AFRICAN PERCUSSION), CARLO MOMBELLI, ERNEST MOTHLE & NTOMBE THONGO
South Africa has too few festivals and musical events dedicated to showcasing the vast variety of traditional, world and jazz music the country has to offer. As a label, we at MELT 2000 strongly supported and promoted different facets of music and artist collaborations since the birth of the new democratic South Africa in 1994. It was back in 1997 when Pascal Letellier on behalf of the French city of Nantes showcased the most elaborate representation of South African culture - an event so beautiful that participating artists themselves were surprised to experience the rich variety of their own Rainbow nation's heritage. With the help of Pascal we recorded and filmed many of the participating acts. Material from Amampondo, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Busi Mhlongo and Madala Kunene that has now found its way onto DVD releases.
Exactly seven years later my friend Ananda introduced me to another Frenchman, Jean Bourdin (then director of the Alliance Francaise in Pretoria) who told me of his plans for a small, intimate festival sponsored by the Alliance and the IFAS (Institut Français d'Afrique du Sud). I immediately asked him if I could make some additional programme suggestions and expressed my wish to record and film the event.
Jean's musical program found form in the 2004 Fort West Village Heritage & Cultural Festival which was built around four musicians born or raised in Tshwane (Pretoria). These are Ernest Mothle, Carlo Mombelli and the two artists to whom this DVD is dedicated, Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades and Madala Kunene. And yet despite their common roots, the diversity of their musical influences and inspirations is awesome.
The team gathered with cameras and stacks of recording gear, some of which was flown in from London by Chris Lewis - a man whose expertise with acoustic music I certainly did not want to miss.
Another journey and a new era of collaborations had begun.
Watch this space.
Robert Trunz
MAIN MENU
MADALA KUNENE (jaws harp) - SIYAKHALA ( 2:10 )
Composed by Madala Kunene - published by MELT 2000 Publishing S.A.
MENU 1
GREG HADJIYORKI GEORGIADES & MADALA KUNENE
Featuring Ernest Mothle and Ashish Joshi
Live @ The Fort West Village Heritage & Cultural Festival in Tshwane West (Pretoria) South Africa on the 22nd of October 2004
Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades - guitar, oud & bouzouki Madala Kunene - steel string guitar & vocals
Ashish Joshi - tabla & percussion
Ernest Mothle - double bass
Tracks
1. PYRAMID REVISITED 9:19
2. E-PITOLI (PRETORIA) 6:08
3. EGOLI (CITY OF GOLD) 5:10
4. TOGETHER NOW 7:55
5. MARTHA GOTTA FREE 9:10
6. OPPIKKOPPI 7:40
7. TWO TRAINS 6:50
Tracks 1,2,3,6 & 7 composed by Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades published by Sheer Publishing Ltd.. Track 5 composed by Madala Kunene, published by MELT Music Publishing cc. Track 4 composed by Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades & Madala Kunene, published by Sheer Publishing Ltd and MELT Music Publishing cc
"We, the artists of our 'Rainbow Nation', seem to be drawn into collaborations of creative discovery by the mere nature of the many cultures and peoples that make up the population of South Africa. So it was with great excitement and enthusiasm that the players involved in this spontaneous collaboration jumped at the opportunity of discovering a new voice through which we could express the music of the South African experience. The concert was held in a deserted old church with beautiful acoustics and a captivating atmosphere that seemed to extend the natural sound of the performance."
Greg Georgiades
MENU 2
ERNEST MOTHLE & FRIENDS
1. NECESSARY RHIME 9:23 long (delete)
composed by Ernest Mothle, published by MELT 2000 Publishing SA
CARLO MOMBELLI AND THE PRISONERS OF STRANGE
1. UNTITLED PRAYER 5:11
2. SURDO 7:30
composed by Carlo Mombelli, published by Mombelli Publishing
MENU 3
MADALA KUNENE & BERNARD MNDAWENI
featuring MABI THOBEJANE, L.A.P. (Live African Percussion)
and NTOMBE THONGO
Introduction speech by the poet of Africa, Zolani Mkiva
1. KUNZIMA 6:36
2. SANIBONANI 4:29 ?3. IKHAL'APHI (TOOTH FAIRY) 6:30
4. KON'KO MAN (STRONG MAN) 4:25
5. MASIYEKU 'KUBULALANA (DON'T KILL EACH OTHER) 5:30
tracks 1,2 & 4 composed by Madala Kunene
track 3 composed by Madala Kunene & Bernard Mndaweni
track 5 composed by Ntombe Thongo Tutusu
all tracks published by MELT 2000 Publishing S.A.
MENU 4
NTOMBE THONGO TUTSU'S AFRICAN BAND
live @ the "Music With No Name Studio" Cullinan, Gauteng
1. VISITING THONGO IN MTHAMBALALA 2:29
2. MASIYEKU 'KUBULALANA (DON'T KILL EACH OTHER) 5:46
Composed by Ntombe Thongo Tutsu
published by MELT 2000 Publishing S.A.
3. UNGABETH'UMFAZI (DON'T BEAT YOUR WIFE ) 7:37
Composed by Ntombe Thongo Tutsu
published by MELT 2000 Publishing S.A.
4. THONGO UHADI IMPROMPTU - Ntombe Thongo, Madala Kunene and Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni 7:12
Composed by Thongo, Kunene & Mndaweni - published by MELT 2000 Publishing S.A.
MENU 5
CREDITS & TRACKLISTING
1 INTRO BY ROBERT TRUNZ
2 GREG GEORGIADES & MADALA KUNENE
(soundtrack: Pyramid Revisited 2:03)*
3 ERNEST MOTHLE
(soundtrack: Necessary Rhime 1:29 )*
4 CARLO MOMBELLI
(soundtrack Untitled prayer )*
5 MADALA KUNENE & BERNARD MNDAWENI
(soundtrack: Ubombo 1:35 - composed by Madala Kunene published by MELT 2000 Publishing S.A.)
6 NTOMBE THONGO TUTSU
(extract from Ungabeth'umfazi -Don't beat your wife 1:36)*
7 THE TEAM AND THE FRENCH CONNECTION
* composer and publishing info see above
MENU 6
INFO & BIOGRAPHIES
1 GREG GEORGIADES
(soundtrack: Pyramid Revisted 3:45 ) *
2 ASHISH JOSHI
(extracts from the live gig at Bassline, Newtown Johannesburg 2005)
3 MADALA KUNENE
(extracts from live concerts at the Rainbow, Pinetown, Arts Alive Festival 2002, Bassline Newtown 2005 and the MELT farm in Cullinan 2004)
4 MABI THOBEJANE
(extracts from the live bootleg recordings with Madala and the recording of the track "Madiba" 1995 and Music With No Name Studio 2004 with Chris Lewis)
5 BERNARD SIBUSISO MNDAWENI
(extracts from the Fort West and MELT Farm festival 2004 and the Rainbow in Pinetown with Mabi Thobejane and Thabang Tabane 2000)
6 CARLO MOMBELLI
(soundtrack: Surdo 3:03)*
7 ERNEST MOTHLE
(soundtrack: Necessary Rhyme 2:14) *
8 L.A.P. LIVE AFRICAN PERCUSSION
( soundtrack: Bush Walk 2:08 composed by Gontse Mkhene, Bafana Nhlapo & Zwelakhe Zwane, published by MELT 2000 Publishing SA) from the LAP recording sessions at the "Music With No Name Studio" 2005
9 NTOMBE THONGO TUTSU
(extracts from an impromptu rehearsal at the "Music With No Name Studio" 2005 with Chris Lewis)
GREG HADJIYORKI GEORGIADES
Born and raised in Pretoria, Greg is an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist, playing the North African Fretless lute (oud), bouzouki and guitar. He composes an intoxicating hybrid of North and South African ethno grooves that cook under vibrant melodies. Over the years Greg has collaborated, performed and recorded with influential names of the South African music scene, such as Jeff Maluleke , London-based percussionist Julian Bahula, Choppa on "Margarita" and the late Mike Ratau Makhalemele. In 2005 he launched Vivid Afrika - a collaboration project with McCoy Mrubata. Greg is also known and recognized for his work with the Mutant Harmony Trio with Marc Duby, The Jazz Hounds, Aavaaz and the Aquarian Quartet, where he features with Steve Newman, Syd Kitchen and Tony Cox. On an international note, Greg has collaborated and performed with renowned French trumpeter Eric Truffaz, Bob Brosman (USA), Rene Lacaille (Mauritius) and Mukta (France/India), while they were in South Africa in 2002 and 2003.
Greg has played all across Southern Africa at art and music festivals including acouple of appearances at the Awesome Africa Festival and ZIFF in Zanzibar.
ERNEST MOTHLE (CONTRA BASS)
The great bass master emerged on the musical scene in the 1960's as a member of the African Jazz and Variety band. The reserved bass player has since then, performed with many of South Africa's jazz greats. He remembers playing with renowned choral composer Professor Mzilikazi. According to Mothle, this is "when the professor used to sing jazz". Mothle attributes people like Mzilikazi and Solly Ramakupe, one of the first black movie stars, for his musical development. After his first band, the bassist moved to Hesebeshu group made up of Cyril Magubane, Henry and Stanley Sithole and Nelson Magwaza. He also helped with compositions in some of the musicals of the 1960's. He had a stint with Gibson Kente's first professional musical, Manana - The Jazz Prophet. He was also in Kente's famous Lifa and Sikhalo plays. Mothle played bass in the first ever recording of Mankunku Ngozi's Yakhal'inkomo. This was part of SABC's recorded jazz programme. Leaving South Africa in 1972, Mothle moved to England where he connected up with jazz exiles based there. He started performing and recording with Julian Bahula's Jabula group, Dudu Pukwana, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath and Johnny Mbizo Dyani. Mothle was touring with Dyani, when the latter met his death in October 1986. As bassists in the band, the two musicians developed a style of bowing that makes the bass sound as vocalists. When playing, Mothle walks his audience through the bass, demonstrating what is possible with the cumbersome-looking instrument. According to him, it is this?technique of making the bass sing that has led to his marginalisation. He feels that he is "little bit ahead" and that there is a refusal in many bands for the bass to come to the fore. Mothle is featured on no less than two dozen albums as a supporting musician. He features in recordings by international artists such as Robert Wyatt, George Lee and Mike Oldfield. In the 1980's, Mothle recorded with an English band with left political leaning known as Working Week. He plays bass in "Venceremos (We will win)", Working Nights and Payday - three CD's released by the group. He also plays on Cry Freedom's soundtrack penned by Jonas Gwangwa. For Mothle, one of the greatest things that he has learnt in his many years of performing is "knowing how to play with other people - tuning and becoming one." Dinga Sikwebu
CARLO MOMBELLI (BASS)
After starting to study bass seriously during conscription in the South African Defence Force in the early eighties, Carlo's first big musical break was in the band of jazz guitar legend Johnny Fourie together with Duke Makasi and Kevin Gibson. He later formed his own original music group ABSTRACTIONS who recorded an album for Shifty records.
In 1987 he moved to Germany where he recorded and performed internationally with musicians like Egberto Gismonti, Charlie Mariano, Mick Goodrick and Lee Konitz amongst others. Besides having a teaching post at the Richard Strauss Conservatoire in Munich, he was a featured artist many times on German national radio that broadcast entire live concerts over the air. Carlo has six solo recordings and has worked on major record labels like Enja Records. Since returning back to South Africa in 1999, Carlo has performed at all the major festivals around the country with his group The Prisoners of Strange. He can also be heard on recordings of Marcus Wyatt, Tlale Makhena, Sibongile Khumalo, as well as Johnny Fourie's solo, duet, trio.
The ballet Listen with your eyes shut, choreographed to Mombelli's music was performed at the Dance Umbrella in the Hague Holland 2001, as well as commissioned works for the Stockholm Sax Quartet (which they are currently performing), and music for the 1943 silent film Meshes in the afternoon by Maya Deren which he performed live to film at the 2003 Grahamstown Arts Festival.
He was appointed composer in residence at the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg in April and May 2004 where he has just completed a masters degree in composition.
Besides performing and giving workshops he also writes music for documentaries which include this year's, 'Road To Restitution', 'Moving the spirit', and a jazz score co-composed with Marcus Wyatt for 'Story of a Beautiful Country. Mombelli has also just finished music for the Animation film 'Ummemo".
THONGO AFRICAN BAND
Recorded live at the "Music With No Name Studio" during the MELT Farm Festival in Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa on October 30th 2004 Ntombe Thongo Tutsu - lead guitar & lead vocalist
Fikile Mkhumla - bass guitar
Mluleki Gqala - keyboard
Mzwandile David - accordion
Phumzile Nanana - dancer and vocal
Vuyani Sophothela - dancer and vocal
Lizeka Tutsu - vocal
Luzuko Ntsizwana - dancer and vocal
Bongani Gamzana - dancer and vocal
Ntombe Thongo Tutsu
Thongo is a talented young singer/ guitar player from Mtambalala in the hills above Port St. Johns in the heart of Pondoland. He is a qualified, initiated Sangoma (herbalist & traditional healer). His ancestral instrument is the mouthbow (uhadi).
Thongo plays a unique Maskanda style crossing over from the more traditional Zulu rhythms into his own Xhosa interpretation. His guitar style of is unique to a point where I call it Transkanda.
Thongo also toured and performed internationally in Brett Bailey's play iMumbo Jumbo at the Barbican Theatre, London 2003 (among other venues). The play was a hit at the Grahamstown Festival too.
iMumbo Jumbo is a dramatisation of the true, intrepid, sacred and quixotic 1996 quest of Chief Nicholas Tilana Gcaleka (diviner, priest, liquor salesman, guru) to Britain to retrieve the skull of his ancestor, King Hintsa kaPhalo - Paramount Chief of the amaXhosa nation, killed by a colonial posse in 1836.
MADALA KUNENE
King of the Zulu Guitar Madala Kunene was born in 1951 in Cato Manor, Durban, South Africa. Despite being born into a family of eminent and fervent academics, he refused to spend so much as a day at school - even if it meant taking regular beatings because of it. This signalled Madala's single-minded and uniquely unconventional nature. He started busking on Durban's beachfront at the age of 7, making his first guitar out of a cooking oil tin, using fish gut for the strings. As a soccer player for African Wanderers FC, the teenage Madala was torn between his love of football and music. In 1963, he bought his first real guitar and began to imitate Western music such as the Beatles. But he soon tired of imitating others and feeling dissatisfied and restless, decided to start playing his own music, giving voice to the creativity that was welling up within him. It was his friends who encouraged him to take his guitar playing much more seriously. He followed their wise advice. In very little time he had become the hottest guitar player and was discovered by bassist Sipho Gumede. Madala went to work in Johannesburg, where he considered himself privileged to share the stage with such luminaries as Doc Mthalane and Busi Mhlongo. However, in the mid-1970's, violence erupted in rural areas. This led to Madala returning home to protect his family after their house was burned down. Deprived of the chance to tour internationally, Madala continued to develop his own musical style while playing low-key gigs in the townships during the mid-eighties where he revived the 'Madalaline' style of guitar playing, combining blues & soul with African folk, and developed the trance-like quality of his Zulu folk singing. It was in October 2004 when Greg Georgiades invited Madala to join him, Ashish Joshi and Ernest Mothle for a live collaboration at Fort West Festival which we have the pleasure of presenting on this DVD. A year later the group met again at the Bassline club in Johannesburg for a 6 bands marathon night but this time they were joined by Madala's long-standing friend and the country's most sensitive and groovy bass player, Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni (watch out for the DVD release). Madala's guitar playing blends Blues and African Folk, and is soulfully mixed with the transcendental quality of his healing voice. His music is deeply spiritual, derived from ancient divination music often inducing a trance during performance. Madala has developed a completely original style of playing guitar based on ancient divination music and most of his inspiration comes to him in dreams.
THE TEAM
Director: Lianne Cox
Editor: Lianne Cox
Cameras:Lianne Cox, Lungelo Ndlela, Vincent De Jager
Sound engineer: recording, mixing and mastering
all 4 days of live concerts: Chris Lewis, London UK
Assistant Engineer: Kholofelo Sewale (Kulu se Mama)
Projection & lights: Vernon
Packaging: Nicholas P. Hauser
Executive Producer: Robert Trunz
Special thanks to Jean Bourdin and François Chambraud of Alliance Française in Pretoria, Jean for the choice of music and François all our respect for picking up the many loose ends and making the event a full success for the musicians.Bénédicte Alliot, IFAS (Institut Français d'AS) for her kind support, Bernard Malauzat from the French Embassy in South Africa for generously supporting the project, the director of the Fort Festival Village Foundation Mrs. Linda Mvusi and Xavier Person's crew of helpers and assistants.Very special thanks to all the creators of the beautiful music we recorded and filmed and to all other artists, poets, film- as well as the technical crew and the dedicated audience who feasted on the art presented. Thanks to the Creator for letting us witness more roots of Acoustic Africa.
Robert Trunz
This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 09 August, 2006.
