Freshlyground formed in early 2002, and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Fronted by the diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band exudes a live performance energy that has been the bedrock of their success. The experienced rhythm section of Peter Cohen (drums) & Josh Hawks (bass) is complimented by guitarist Julio Sigauque, keyboardist Seredeal Scheepers, Simon Attwell (flute, mbira, sax and harmonica) and violinist Kyla Rose Smith. Although hailing from diverse backgrounds, between them the band’s members weave a musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy.
Afropop darlings Freshlyground are back to their unify-a-nation roots on their latest self-titled compilation. After catering to a surprisingly dark urge on their fifth studio album Take Me To The Dance, the South African-based collective have returned to spread the love via vibes they know best.
It was bound to happen that a band beloved for their ‘post-’94 rainbow nation’ epitomizing shows would make those performances available on an anytime/anywhere basis. Live renditions of iconic material (“Doo Bee Doo” and the World Cup famed “Waka Waka“) are inarguably a pleasant trip for the diehards (and there’s a lot of them). But it’s unreleased gems that stand out on Freshlyground. “Refugee” in particular is the dance-centric collective at a highpoint of samba. Boxsta’s rework of “Take Me To The Dance” is an additional treat that transforms the electric-leaning standout into a, dare-we-say, club banger. Offering listeners an archaeological look at the past both memorialized and newly uncovered, Freshlyground has the makings to win over a population of already loyal hearts.
01. Izihlangu
02. Africa Unite
03. Shake It
04. Refugee
05. Take Me To the Dance (Boxsta Remix)
06. Beautiful Boy
07. Everything
08. How Low Can You Go?
09. Yeah Yeah
10. Rain (Live @ Guild Theatre, East London)
11. Doo Be Doo (Live @ Guild Theatre, East London)
12. I'd Like (Live @ Guild Theatre, East London)
13. Waka Waka (Live @ Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth)
wrong link :-(
ResponderEliminar