IzangoMa - Ngo Ma (2023) [Hi-Res]

The fifteen-piece kaleidoscopic ensemble IzangoMa might only be releasing its debut offering on the esteemed UK-based label Brownswood Recording this coming Northern Hemisphere Spring, but the collective’s roots stretch back to the meeting of Sibusile Xaba (vox/keys) and Ashley Kgabo (synths/snare drum/drum machine) in 2016. The album is the logical next step in a journey.

The ensemble is a Southern African link-up of Mozambican and South African musicians. Sibusile tells it best: “I had this idea of working with my students from Mozambique. When I first met them [during exchange workshops], they were young men. We’d return every year to find these great human beings growing into these phenomenal musicians. We felt like it would be nice to incorporate them into this thing that we were doing.”

IzangoMa are Cosmic sgubhu with the alchemic powers of Sun Ra mixed with township styles ranging from pantsula to bubblegum, wrapped up and delivered in layers of spiritual chants, healing harmonies, and all manner of electro-analogue sonics transmitted in a big band-style ultrasound exploring themes of Creation as seen through the all-knowing feminine energy that transcends time and space, standing assured in its position as the cornerstone of their foundation. This is rhythm music; it spills into crevices ever-evolving, and revolts against a revolution yet to be finalised.

IzangoMa’s debut album ’Ngo Ma’ is released on digital, CD and a double 12” LP format on 26th May 2023 via Brownswood Recordings.

Tracklist:
1.01 - IzangoMa - Agenda Remember (3:02)
1.02 - IzangoMa - Birds (Of A Feather) (5:39)
1.03 - IzangoMa - City Lights (8:41)
1.04 - IzangoMa - Le Nna Mfana (6:22)
1.05 - IzangoMa - Mgungundlovu (14:00)
1.06 - IzangoMa - Ngo Ma (10:20)
1.07 - IzangoMa - Out Of The World (5:14)
1.08 - IzangoMa - Phew (4:16)
1.09 - IzangoMa - Q & A (5:56)
1.10 - IzangoMa - Tribute to Johnny Dyani (6:32)
1.11 - IzangoMa - Wathint' Imbokodo (7:37)