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"It's a gem...in turn relaxed, loping and out-there wiggy, full of lovely textures from a range of instrumental collaborators (guitars, flutes, brass, keyboards, dobro, bass etc - but always held in tasteful check) and co-vocalists including Busi Mhlongo...glorious music which is simultaneously familiar and refreshing."
Folk Roots magazine
From South Africa to Brixton to the Bronx, Mabi Thobejane is an artist who has travelled the world in search of musical and spiritual freedom. His debut album, entitled Madiba is the culmination of a twenty-year struggle for self-expression. It is intensely personal but an ultimately positive album that proves Mabi to be one of South Africa's most brilliant and exhilarating percussionists. Madiba (Father of the Nation) is an affectionate name for Nelson Mandela, who has been a major inspiration for Mabi as an embodiment of the fighting spirit.
Born in Mamelodi, South Africa in 1948, Mabi's life has been haunted by apartheid. However he now feels he has been creatively reborn, with Madiba being the first and significant step towards that. From an early age Mabi favoured the drums, discovering how to truly hear music from the tone of a beat. It was through his uncle Philip Tabene, that Mabi began his road to musical freedom. Tabene took Mabi on tour in the USA as his drummer where they both decamped to Harlem. It was here that Mabi experienced the sounds of Miles Davies, an influence that has remained with him throughout his life. He returned to South Africa but found the oppressive regime obstructed what few chances he had to work. Even though he worked with many musicians and groups it was not until the 90's that Mabi started to find an outlet for the sounds that had stayed with him from the Bronx.
This solo album features an illustrious cast including Byron Wallen, Robert 'Doc' Mthalane, Busi Mhlongo, Madala Kunene, Jessica Lauren, Dizu and Lungiswa Plaatjies, Changuito a.o. - reflecting the high calibre of Mabi's playing.

Track Listing (30 Second Samples)

1. THABO
2. SIDUDLA
3. SEGWAGWA
4. THABO TANDO NICO
5. DOM PASS
6. SHAPEDI
7. ECONOMY
8. MOTHER
9. MADIBA (NELSON MANDELA) (PART 1)
10. GAE-WAY HOME
11. MADIBA (NELSON MANDELA) (PART2)
12. WORKSHOP