Madala Kunene, Sibusile Xaba - kwaNTU (2025)

Madala Kunene, known as "The King of Zulu Guitar" and a cultural custodian of his heritage, has always emphasized improvisation and emotional impressionism over strict genre adherence in his work. His new album, kwaNTU, a collaboration with younger guitarist and vocalist Sibusile Xaba, is regarded as a possible creative high point, surpassing his previous significant work, 1959. The kwaNTU album was recorded mostly in a single overnight session after a few days of jamming. The album's sound, defined by the guitar and vocal interchange between Kunene and Xaba, with supporting percussion, woodwinds, and strings, is characterized by warmth, vibe-heavy atmosphere, and an abstract blues influence. Most pieces feature a groove-oriented mellowness. However, the eight-minute "Izimfijoli" stands out as a left-field, semi-ambient centerpiece with field recordings of wildlife sounds and guttural vocals. kwaNTU is described as one of the most evocative and interesting "blues" albums of 2025.

Tracklist:
1-1 Madala Kunene - Umkhulu Omkhulu - An Ode To Credo Mutwa (Amandla eMvelo) [6:07]
1-2 Madala Kunene;Sibusile Xaba - Izimpisi [6:05]
1-3 Madala Kunene - Mqhele [2:33]
1-4 Madala Kunene;Sibusile Xaba - Usho Njalo [4:02]
1-5 Madala Kunene - Wemfana [6:06]
1-6 Madala Kunene - Izimfijoli [8:17]
1-7 Madala Kunene - Inkomo [3:30]
1-8 Madala Kunene - Thisha [3:55]
1-9 Madala Kunene - Sesikhona [4:53]
1-10 Madala Kunene - Uhebe [3:32]