Thursday, November 23, 2006
CODA - Believe it!
Last night was the launch of the much anticipated debut album Believe by Cape Town’s hottest new group, CODA.
We got to the Mount Nelson nice and early to ensure that we got a good seat, and were excited to see that the band had been set up in the garden, below the terrace leading out of the Planet Bar. It was a stunning evening, without a breath of wind, and what better place to enjoy drinks than at the Nellie?
I’m glad we did arrive early, because by the time CODA arrived on stage, the garden and terrace was packed with eager and expectant music fans. We spotted a couple of local celeb’s like comedian Irit Noble, Freshlyground’s founder and keyboardist Aron Turest-Swartz, drummer Peter Cohen and guitarist Josh Hawks - and of course the Peakers in the front row!
Yolanda, Carol and Rayelle were dressed beautifully in black, with red jewellery supplied by Yolanda’s Yawa Creations, while Nick was just as funky as ever in his YDE outfit. But it is their style that sets them apart from most other groups in the Cape – always looking good.
Although the sound wasn’t too hot when they started with their first track, it got better as the set carried on, with the audience then really being able to appreciate what they were hearing.
Original compositions such as Brand New Style, the music and production by Gabi le Roux (think Mandoza!), and Mmelwane whose music and production was by Grenville Williams (think Godessa!) really got the crowd warmed up. But it was Ubuhle Bendoda that got them whooping and wowing, and onto their feet to dance! I think this is going to be such a radio hit!
I don’t think any of us expected such a great turn-out, but then they have had a hectic performing schedule over the past year, and this has definitely brought them many fans – there’s nothing better than a live-fan – they stay with you for ever!
So folks – get out there, buy the album, and watch out on Top Billing tonight for the final of the Top Billing Lifestyle Awards for which CODA was nominated.
We got to the Mount Nelson nice and early to ensure that we got a good seat, and were excited to see that the band had been set up in the garden, below the terrace leading out of the Planet Bar. It was a stunning evening, without a breath of wind, and what better place to enjoy drinks than at the Nellie?
I’m glad we did arrive early, because by the time CODA arrived on stage, the garden and terrace was packed with eager and expectant music fans. We spotted a couple of local celeb’s like comedian Irit Noble, Freshlyground’s founder and keyboardist Aron Turest-Swartz, drummer Peter Cohen and guitarist Josh Hawks - and of course the Peakers in the front row!
Yolanda, Carol and Rayelle were dressed beautifully in black, with red jewellery supplied by Yolanda’s Yawa Creations, while Nick was just as funky as ever in his YDE outfit. But it is their style that sets them apart from most other groups in the Cape – always looking good.
Although the sound wasn’t too hot when they started with their first track, it got better as the set carried on, with the audience then really being able to appreciate what they were hearing.
Original compositions such as Brand New Style, the music and production by Gabi le Roux (think Mandoza!), and Mmelwane whose music and production was by Grenville Williams (think Godessa!) really got the crowd warmed up. But it was Ubuhle Bendoda that got them whooping and wowing, and onto their feet to dance! I think this is going to be such a radio hit!
I don’t think any of us expected such a great turn-out, but then they have had a hectic performing schedule over the past year, and this has definitely brought them many fans – there’s nothing better than a live-fan – they stay with you for ever!
So folks – get out there, buy the album, and watch out on Top Billing tonight for the final of the Top Billing Lifestyle Awards for which CODA was nominated.
Labels: coda, godessa, Irit Noble, Mandoza, planet bar, Top Billing
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
CODA launches Beautiful
When: 22 November 2006 - 7 PM
Where: Planet Bar, Mount Nelson Hotel
Where: Planet Bar, Mount Nelson Hotel
Very cool. Coda is launching their debut album titled ‘Beautiful’. And we had a small part to play in it - that makes me proud!
Hell! Right in the begining I even wrote to Gabi le Roux, and said something in-line with – this is what they look like, the is what they sound like, and read a bit about who they are, and let me know what you think - you want to work with them? And he wrote:
From: Kaleidosound
Sent: 14 November 2005 10:12 PM
To: rouvanne@peakperformances.co.za
Subject: RE: CODA
Hi Rouvanne..., This is undoubtedly a class act with a great musical pedigree. I listened to the track and, being a Cafe DM and BB fan myself, needless to say..."I get it" Beautifully done guyz!
More specifically here are my comments:
1) The live Accordion is a prominent feature in the track...can I assume that was a live accordion sampled track contributed from vinyl by Nick? If so, I need to be a little frank and critical, it sounds so pure and Continental that not many listeners would make the connection that it was the DJ element? One would simply assume it's a member of the band who plays a great Accordion? Having only had the benefit of listening to 1 track, I'd like to encourage Nick to experiment more...i.e. "fck around" a bit more DJ-wise...That's what may make you guys even more unique? Having said that, I love the electronic sequenced pops that moves around the stereo profile , as well as the big atmospheric "sweeps" that end some of the phrases...nice man! Gimme more!
2) Cello...hey...what can I say? It's mesmerising! Again maybe just experiment more with effects now and then and then bring it back to "dry" again? Even a bit more agression here and there (chops, plucks, etc...) Great tone, tuning etc!
3) Violin? Um...is there any? If so, then I'm dumb enough to have confused it with the Cello played in upper register? I love Electric violin, having grown up on "Jean Luc Ponty".
4) Vocals...nice lazy, jazzy delivery. Diction not very clear, but I suspect that could be technically beefed up by adding slightly more compression and a bit of exciter set on around 4500. Some likeness to Cezaria Evora?
All in all...a GREAT CONCEPT, yet I feel not taken far enough. SO...If you guys should find that I may be suitable to collaborate with, then here's what I'd like to do.
1) Start off just doing one track to see if we have chemistry.
2) In this track, go a bit more up-tempo dance-ish, using more sampling and "abstract" DJ elements. Experiment with both Cello and Violin FX processing and then contrast it by bringing it back to "dry", etc. Use more Electronic and acoustic percussive elements.
3) Introduce unmistakable African elements, to "tag" it as "not just another European release..." This can be done vocally, as well as using sampled traditional instruments (tonal and atonal).
4) Do 2 mixes of the track, one Radio and one specifically more experimental and extended for club use...even "dubby"?
Hope my praises, criticisms and suggestions are taken in the spirit of the huge respect I have for your collective musicianship and the great concept you guys devised.
Best Regards,
Gabi
That’s what Gabi said a year ago, and they had only been together for two roughly months - with famous cricketer Jacques Kallis' Benefit function in Cape Town being the first corporate gig they did for us, as a trio...
Now they have put together their collective creativity, with Gabi and Grenville Williams from Godessa fame having worked on some tracks, and completed their first CD - Beautiful. Just beautiful!
When: 22 November 2006 - 7 PM
Where: Planet Bar, Mount Nelson Hotel
So get yourself to the Planet Bar – and be a witness to something great.Where: Planet Bar, Mount Nelson Hotel
Labels: coda, gabi le roux, godessa, planet bar
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Kalahari Surfers at In-San-ity
It’s late Sunday night, and I am preparing for the week ahead. Last week we were very busy, and though not all of it was fun and games, there were some good shows that we presented around the country – it just left us feeling very drained at the end of it all and in need of a good break.One of my oldest performing friends, Abe Thomas from the Starlight Rhythms, or as most people know him – the guy with the trumpet from the Waterfront – performed as a surprise at a 70th birthday party on Saturday; Arno Carstens and his band got a party going in East London on Friday (even after he had been incorrectly billed as the Springbok Nude Girls - tut tut tut); Zolani Mkiva, the Poet of Africa, and official praise-singer at Nelson Mandela and both of Thabo Mbeki’s inaugurations, appeared for us at the Mount Nelson – so lots of interesting things.
The girls had to do a fair amount of over-time in the office last week when we had a number of hiccups, but these things happen when dealing with the ‘human element’, and we are just happy that when things do go wrong, we strive to solve the problem before panicking! Once everything is back on track its always a good idea to go out and shout at the heavens, dance a jig of madness or jump into my freezing swimming pool!
Which is of course why I am preparing for the coming week!
I was very happy to read more about an upcoming festival, wonderfully titled the ‘In-San-ity Khoisan Benefit Festival’ happening at Clanwilliam in the Cederberg from 13 – 15 October. We just happen to have booked some camping sites at the dam, so will definitely be popping in to see some of S.A.’s coolest acts.Who can turn their nose up at Goldfish, the Kalahari Surfers, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Godessa, Pops Mohamed and even 109 year-old !Gube Tee Tee from SanScapes and Bushmen of the Kalahari fame! There are over 80 groups appearing over the 3 days, with loads of stuff happening around the festival to make it an awesome weekend.
Len & I talk about the fact that when we were living in Holland there were African music festivals happening in every corner of that small country – when at home, in South Africa, at the bottom of the continent that has been the flavour to the rest of the world for years now, there are such a few!
So here’s a track to celebrate the In-San-ity team and all their efforts! It’s Gangsta by the Kalahari Surfers and Mdu Mbutuma from the Akasic Record, released by the African Dope Records crew – Have a great week people!
Labels: Arno Carstens, godessa, goldfish, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Kalahari Surfers, Pops Mohamed, Starlight Rhythms, Zolani Mkiva
Monday, August 07, 2006
Teba & Godessa - A Revolution
Its the beginning of a new week, and so I feel like I need some new energy to get me going!I did a small feature on Teba last week, and so I thought I would profile another of his tracks, Revolution from his 20-5-2-1 Manifesto (VOLT004) CD.
I think we need a mini-revolution to get our minds right every now and then, to be able to focus on where we need to get to during the coming week, so we don't forget all that we stand for, and mostly to make this a better place to be in.
So let's let the Original Social Worker, Mr Shumba, get the beat/week going!
And because we're in Cape Town, to commemorate the August 9, 1956 march on Union Building in Pretoria by 20, 000 fed-up women, I wanted to introduce some of Teba's friends. (Not that they are fed-up - they just have important things to say.)
"There is no other group like us" says Shameema Williams, one third of the female fronted Hip-Hop group Godessa.
Speaking of Godessa's uniqueness could be no further from the truth as these women continue to make history and impact as the only recording and performing female Hip-Hop crew in South Africa. Shameema together with Eloise Jones aka EJ von Lyrik and Bernadette Amansure aka Burni formed Godessa in the year 2000.
In their lyrics, the ladies address social issues affecting their community such as crime and HIV/Aids. Shameema, Burni and EJ have separately and together as a group been involved in projects such as youth work in correctional institutions and HIV/Aids workshops using Hip-Hop as a learning tool. Godessa is based on the belief that women represent eternal life through giving birth, carrying knowledge with the balance of being psychological and analytical thinkers.
Labels: godessa, hip hop, kwaito, Teba
