Thembi Dunjana - God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi. (2024) [Hi-Res]
28 Jun, 08:23
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Artist: Thembi Dunjana, Zoe Obadia, Siya Charles, Tim Norton, Jerome Jennings, Darrian Douglas Title: God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi. Year Of Release: 2024 Label: AfricArise / Ropeadope Genre: Contemporary Jazz, World, African, Soul, R&B, Afropop, Cape Jazz Quality: FLAC (tracks) [96kHz/24bit] Total Time: 57:39 Total Size: 1.09 GB / 222 MB WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist:
1. Absenti (intro) (01:24) 2. Indlela Ikhona (09:52) 3. Langa Lam (07:51) 4. African Child- Isidubada (interlude) (01:34) 5. IKhwezi (05:32) 6. IKapa (06:58) 7. In Jesus' Name (06:36) 8. They've Got The Map! (04:49) 9. Echoes Of Gugulethu (07:49) 10. A City Dream (05:09)
The album is a homage to the pianist’s home city Cape Town (iKapa) and her country of birth, South Africa (Mzantsi). Thembi states that “it is an acknowledgement and a gratitude to the city which has afforded me the opportunity to be anything I wanted to be, in my case, a musician”. In this album she chooses to focus on the social and political positives —rather than focusing on the negatives— of growing up in a city like Cape Town. On a broader scope, the album is acknowledging God, who has been good in the protection of His people, within the city and within South Africa, against the ills that are apparent in 1st world countries. Just as the title suggests, God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi: “I am asking God to continue to protect us as matters seem to get more chaotic around the world”.
Musically, she synthesizes the contemporary SA jazz sound with her American jazz influences: Moses Molelekwa, Afrika Mkhize, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Clark, to create a unique musical blend, unique to her musical creativeness. “Although I like contemporary styles, I love American jazz from the 50s and 60s in particular; my style captures these in a way where traditional jazz forms are prevalent, but the musical sound can be described as modern. I never try to sound like anyone but my influences come out in my compositional and improvisational approach”.
For track by track description as in liner notes see here:
Absenti (Intro) is a hand game —played by two— that we played as children growing up. The lyrics ask the questions: who are you? Where do you live? And the other would respond to these questions. In the album, I employed the melody and rhythm behind some new and creative piano chords.
Indlela Ikhona in my home language means: “there is always a way”. Therefore, as the title suggests, the message of the song is meant to extend hope.
Langa Lam is a ballad written for my daughter Langalethu.
African Child- Isidubada (Interlude). Isidubada is a made- up language that was used by our elders so we would not understand their private conversations.
iKhwezi is the isiXhosa word for “morning star”. iKhwezi is a reference to Jesus, who is also described in the scriptures as the “bright morning star”.
iKapa is the isiXhosa word for “Cape Town”. The song itself is a homage to Cape Town.
In Jesus’ Name is a proclamation of my love for my savior, Jesus. The song is inspired by my encounter with God in 2019, that changed my life for the better, forever.
They’ve Got The Map! Is my response to pianist Andile Yenana’s album and song title “Who’s Got The Map?”. His question was pointing to the lack of clarity as to who has the compass for the direction of the current state of South African jazz. As a younger generation of SA jazz musicians, I say that compass, for those of us who are younger players, is with him and other artists in his generation; hence the title: “They’ve Got The Map!”.
Echoes of Gugulethu is a song that remembers my upbringing in one of Cape Town’s oldest townships/ghettos, Gugulethu.
A City Dream. This song appreciates the golden opportunities that the city has in store for those who dare to dream.
Zoe Obadia - Alto Sax Siya Charles - Trombone Tim Norton - Bass Jerome Jennings - Drums Darrian Douglas - Drums on “iKapa” and “Echoes of Gugulethu” Thembi Dunjana - Piano and Vocals
