An extraordinary, beautiful, passionate, spiritual and erotic new solo LP by the South African multidisciplinary artist, sangoma (Nguni spiritual healer), and previously part of queer gqom group FAKA, now with a 13-piece orchestral ensemble mixing soul, jazz, rock and Zulu chants. Recorded as live in a studio with all musicians present and Marea barefoot in a candlelit booth at the centre, it’s an atmospheric work that summons a wealth of emotions, dynamic light and shade, particularly with sublime voice of great purity, sensitivity and power, reminiscent of David McAlmont, that sometimes with occasional ratchety throat sounds (such as when combined with the orchestral power and other vocals on the song Mfula) and mixing English with the Zulu tongue. There are just eight tracks, but many build and evolve, and highlights include Be Free, the beautiful strange melody of Rah (also featuring vocalist Zoë Modiga), Makhukhu with rippling piano, trumpet and a bass line that echoes Talking Heads, Arrival, and the epic closing track Banzi. Like the 2021 album, Desire, outstanding, but here also expanding. Out on Mute.
Desire Marea and friends
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