Culoe De Song

Culoe De Song, Soulistic Music. Having the love for music dwelling in his soul since birth, Culoe is discovered having a lot more than just love, but the ability to show what comes from "within" through producing & playing music to the people. Born in a small town, Eshowe, which is based in northern Kwa Zulu - Natal, Culoe has always been known as this boy with a unique name, "Culolethu", meaning "Our Song" in IsiZulu, a native South African language. Having that in his reputation, it all made some sense coming from a musical family; his mother, a good singer & his grandfather, a keyboard player. At primary school age, Culoe gained interest in technical material, being lucky enough to find a rejected old hi-fi at the dump. It was still usable giving this young lad an opportunity to record mixes that were live on radio during weekends, so he could play them again for his own pleasure. This became more like an element created to grow his love for being a DJ.

In the year 2004, Culoe made a move from the small town to the "big" city of Durban, to begin his high school career. This brought a lot of things that were in his dream closer to him. Culoe then adopted the "city vibe" & somehow managed to get himself into the local night clubs. Yes, the scene was new and huge to him but getting closer to the decks was what he was hungry for and didn't have much power to do so. He then meets DJ Kabila in 2006; luckily for Culoe a friendship was built and his passion for music was brought to Kabila's humble attention. It was only then Culoe got the chance to experience turntables through Kabila's kind teachings. His career in music production began in early 2007 when he mastered his skills in music production utilities & he was able land his first major project on Black Coffee's second offering, "Have another One".

The piece was given the name "100 Zulu warriors" and it carried a taste of Black Coffee's sound since he made the final mix to suite the style of his album. Since then, Culoe has been exposed to the likes of DJ Christos, who's been a great help to Culoe's career thus far. Earlier this year, 2008, Culoe De Song signed under Soulistic Music, having tracks like "The Bright Forest" , "Super Afro" and "100 Zulu Warriors Remix", released under this record label, founded by Blackcoffee. Also in 2008, he got to share the decks alongside international DJ/Producer, DJ Rocco, who gave praise to Culoe's music & looks forward to working on something with the young man in the near future. In this point in time, Culoe De Song is busy working his way up in the music industry and is very positive in continuing to produce and play what comes from within. For updates on Culoe De Song: http://www.myspace.com/culoedsong

Troydon

Hailing from the southern most tip of Africa, Troydon has been extensively involved in the music industry more than a decade and has established himself as one of if not South Africa's premier deep house DJ and, more recently, artist/re-mixer. As a DJ, his signature sound showcases smooth technical wizardry combined with a music selection geared to satisfy even the most discerning house music listeners.

Having worked along side the likes of Matthew Herbert, Charles Webster, Kaskade, Mark Farina and Jimpster to name but a few, Troydon is renowned for his consistently high quality DJ sets as well as filling live DJ slots on top local radio stations Y-FM & 5FM in his native country. Currently residing in Brooklyn, NYC, Troydon is creating a huge buzz in the underground house scene and currently travels the globe gigging to bring his truly unique sound to the rest of the world.

As an artist/re-mixer, Troydon continues to exploit his raw musical talents and ever expanding skills. He has released on top house labels from Freerange to Om Records and quickly gained support from the industries most respected names. Early in 2007 he started his own imprint called Phonoshuffle Music and so far they have released nothing but heat with top selling on 12"s.

His discography is growing at a rapid rate and his unique style of quality house music incorporates many original as well as live elements with influences taken from jazz, to funk, to hip hop and anything in between. Troydon's production is getting tighter and tighter by the second and you will undoubtedly read more about him in the future. This is one talented producer who is making a big impact in the scene on a global scale!

Bucie

Some artists work for years to earn the name "diva" and be considered rock stars. But there are the elite few who are born just that and new music name, Bucie, belongs to that select list, loaded with the vocal capabilities, sumptuous looks and captivating moves. She is sure to set the music scene ablaze with her sure-fire and aptly titled debut album, "Rock Star"…..And be warned "this is just the beginning".

The immensely talented young lady, who doesn't mince her words, says she calls herself a diva because she has all the qualities associated with that and there is no way one can miss that. The album is released by Demor Music (owned by Shana's A.T Sikhosana) is a potpourri of Afro-pop, ballads and Afro-soul classic material. Like some of the greatest vocalists of our time, the story of her being signed to the label reads like a fairytale. Demor is a music lecture at Central Joburg College, where Bucie is a bass guitar student.

The first single "Life of a Rock Star" has been getting an enormous airplay and responses on national, community radios and clubs. The album was done with the help of great music names such as Mafikizolo's Theo, L'Vovo's producer Zakhele Madida, Shana's Mnqobi Mdabe, Victor Mbotho, and S'fiso Shabalala, who produced, composed / featured in the album and the songs are mostly about fun, friends, love and real life issues.

Born in Kimberley, Bucie, whose real name is Busisiwe Nqwiliso, grew up in Klerksdorp. She started singing in the Sunday school choir at the tender age and she sees herself as a destiny's child as her life seems to be turning out the way she has always wanted, to be a singer. Bucie says having her own album is a dream come true…just one listen and you will know it too.

Track List:Disc 1

1. Ubhuti Lo
2. Rock Starr
3. Omnyakazisa
4. Ngicel Indoda
5. Ngiphathe Kahle
6. Mhlobo Wam
7. Amadoda
8. Break Up
9. Dreams
10. Wonke Amadola
11. Ndiyakukhumula
12. You Turn Me On

Tina

Kalawa Jazmee Records has unearthed another gem that will take the music world by storm. Tina might be the new kid on the block but she has all it takes to make it in this dog eat dog industry, with her passion, talent and golden voice you can be sure of that. Her 10 track album titled "Ufezile" will be one of the most sought after dance album of 2008 as it is loaded with club bangers and party songs soon to become street anthems. With the hard working Dangerous Crew Combination [DCC] production behind her, Tina shines to reveal her much praised talent.

She says: "I have been singing from an early age and have been a choir leader since primary school. I love music and nobody can stop me". Growing up in East London in the Eastern Cape, Tina looked up to the Madonna of the township groove namely Brenda Fassie and Joyous Celebration as her role models and inspiration. She adds: "I became a born again Christian at the age of 14 and have been listening and singing gospel music all of my life". This is reflected in her debut album which is a spiritual combination of Afro-House and gospel.

The album also features Theo Kgosinkwe of Mafikizolo fame, collaborating and producing on "Akafuni Kuhamba Nawe" and is also featured on "Hlasela". Other artist include Kalawa Jazmee heavyweight, Oskido, on "Thank You", Jah Seed of Bongo Maffin on "We Need Love" and a remix of Dorothy Masuka's classic "Bangiloyile".

Tina moved to Gauteng in 2002 to join a Pretoria based band Vision Extreme and toured extensively with them in South Africa and abroad. It was while she was performing in Kayalami, Johannesburg that she caught the ear of Kwaito Star Thebe, who asked her to work with him. She contributed on the party anthem "Nomathemba" but it was Mandla "Spikiri" Mofokeng who insisted that she join Kalawa Jazmee after he was moved by her vocal ability.

Tina says her album, whose single "Umthwalo" is already blazing the airwaves is the story of her life. "I composed this song about my life in general and the message is that yesterday is history but it still means a lot." She has a vision and a dream that will keep her strong and see her reach great heights in years to come.

Sis 'n Jones

Sis 'n Jones, formed in 2004 consists of Gerald "Sisco" Ribeiro (DJ Sisco Umlambo co-owner of Multi-Racial Records) and Arthur-John "ArtJones" Bukenya (co owner of Seamless Music). With their different musical backgrounds, experiences and a common passion for deep soulful house music brought about a fresh new formula for Mzansi house music.

On there first outing they released the funkier "Life passes you by" featuring the talented upcoming singer Roxanne Myles AKA Roxy. A series of potential hits followed such as the more deeper sound of "Awungitshele" featuring the ex Coca-Cola Pop Star ZULU & "On this day" featuring Tshepiro (a song written for Sisco's wife performed on their wedding day)

These tracks were entered into the world-renowned annual Westend Records music competition which received over 500 entries worldwide. The 2 tracks managed to secure Top Ten slots which also meant them being included in their international compilation release for 2005.

2005 saw a more mature Sis 'n Jones embark on a new project creating a summer hit track "Set Your Mind Free" featuring Khanyi "Lüz" Legoka. The track was released on vinyl late September featuring remixes by DJ's Christos and BlackCoffee. Above mentioned song had also been compiled on the DJ Fresh "Definition Of House 2" compilation CD and the DJ Christos' 3am Mix was used on Spiritual Journey 2, also released in 2005.

With the birth of their label Omooyo Curacao Music in 2006 they released two 12" singles and one 12" EP which has received much acclaimed and respect locally and internationally. In the same year they worked with a variation of artists and producers for releases on compilations, and albums leading up to a number of successful live performances featuring the artists they've worked with in and around South Africa.

On the much acclaimed "Love Life" Compilation mixed by DJs @ Work they produced 2 tracks, one featuring Tamara Day and the other used for the "Love Life" ad campaign. This duo is not wasting any time and has already been approached to be involved in a multitude of projects, nationally and internationally, including co-productions and compilations etc.

Sis 'n Jones form part of a larger group of labels under the Multi-Racial banner all of which are available on AfrodesiaMP3:
Soul Deep
Restless Swazi
Omooyo Curacao Music
Multi Racial Records

Moodphase 5

HAILING from areas as diverse as Namibia, Grassy Park, Plumstead, Lansdowne, Tamboerskloof, and Observatory - the demographic makeup of Moodphase 5ive is as cosmopolitan as their sound: A soulful blend of funk, jazz and hiphop, laced with freaky Latin breaks and their signature mix of bass-heavy rimshot dub.

With members - Denver Turner a.k.a d.form and Ernestine Deane (vocals) Brian de Goede (drums), Ricardo (keys + percussion), Douglas Armstrong (trumpet, guitar) and Bood Carver (bass), the phasers are constantly redefining the backdrop to their infectious poetry, bringing a message of hope and positive vibrations ,"from the mountaintops to the corners of your blocks"

Moodphase 5ive started four years ago as a collaboration between a trio called Boomslang (Brian de Goede, Jean and Fanus Tofte) consisting of live drums, bass guitar and Stratocaster.

A freaked out deejay with the Illest record collection (Adam Lieber a.k.a the Bonanza Klone) and an emcee called Ultrabuzzurkk!!, a.k.a d.form adding supatite lyric - locale, beatboxing, and front man personality with a Capital P. After a couple of jam sessions Moodphase 5ive was born.

They became the first live band in CT to play with a dj in the set using the turntables as an instrument, and to incorporate deejays to play before and after the gigs. Working as a collaborative force, incorporating nomadic Angolan pimp percussionists, beatboxers, freestylers and vocalists from all walks of life, Moodphase 5ive spread their dirty funk around. A couple of eyeblinks later, the supervocalistical sister and new voice of Cape Town - Ernestine Deane a.k.a Lady "E", came to bless the phasers with the power of the diva Goddess.

After playing almost all the venues and hole-in-the-wall-clubs in the City and constantly working on developing their styles, they decided to record some of their music independently.

The bonanza Clone moved on to solo projects but still remains a close affiliate, currently remixing Moodphase 5ive tracks under his recording name of AdLib……a couple of bankies later , in walks Craig Damster, Keyboard King and Producer at Mother City Records, to provide a futuristic soundscape to an already polished act.

When Jean and Fanus left to follow Jesus to Kleinmond, the band cried. Brothers of Beelzebub - Budi Cava (bass and hysteria) and Douglas Armstrong a.k.a Drugless Lovestrong (trumpet, wahwah and savoir- faire), were taking a break from the Honeymoon Suites, saw the gap and took it.

Static Plastic

Formerly called DJ Static P (and known as Petro Stathoussis by officialdom), Static Plastic is one of the most respected and resilient players in the South African dance music game, with a lengthy list of accomplishments that incorporates two decades of top notch production and party-sparking action.

Static Plastic first put needle to vinyl in 1987, beginning a soon-to-be auspicious spinning profession as a mobile DJ. His watertight skill and fathoms deep sound soon found its way onto the Jo'burg club scene, and in 1989 he landed a spot at The Twilight Zone in Hillbrow.

From there, Static Plastic moved into the booth at the Thunder Dome for two years; then spent six months manning the turntables at Caesar's Palace. Concurrent with these high profile spots, he guested at well-attended and always rocking locales like Pink Cadillac, Idols, Ground Level, Da Flava and many more.

Having secured a firm footing on various dance floors, his reputation spread quickly - and timeously enough for him to play a major role in the advent of modern dance culture on the continent. When the mind-shifting music and new nightlife style known as rave exploded in the early 90s, he was in exactly the right place and headspace.

Petro was an integral participant in the first raves in South Africa, assisting to set up (and fire up) legendary events like those at the Market and Piccadilly Theatres and the Wembley Arena, as well as the seminal LSI (Love Sex Intelligence) Raves.

When the fresh form - which was clandestine and colourful, characterised by wild clothing, dizzying visuals and frenzied dance floors - found a regular home at 4th World in central Johannesburg, Static Plastic was again at the frontline, armed with a battery of brutal techno funk and chunky hypno-house.

The importance of 4th World cannot be underestimated: the Jeppe Street club arrived on the cusp of massive political transformation with futuristic rhythms and an open-minded ethos, and indubitably forged the future direction of local nightclubbing.

Not only was it the first venue with a playlist focussed entirely on machine-made, acid-laced and 4/4-propelled grooves, but it was also multi-cultural: a many-faceted meeting place for anybody attuned to underground sounds. There was simply nowhere else to get down in the opening years of the decade, and there was no turning back afterwards…

All good things must come to an end though, and when the hugely influential nightspot shut up shop, Static Plastic joined forces with fellow 4th World spinner DJ Christos to conceive the early "bashes" at a range of universities and recreation centres. The first ever bash (essentially the township version of a rave) was held in Thembisa's Community Centre, and word and interest escalated rapidly enough for them to host a slew of follow-up gigs.

Petro also participated in promotional tours for Sony Music in 1995 and the Sony Radio Metro Rhythm Nation Tours in 1996 and 1997, and got dance grooves onto the airwaves via his involvement with radio shows like Metro FM's Top 40 with Ian Segola and the Sony Sound Survey with Evidence Kemp, as well as on YFM, where he was a regular on Club Y Saturday Nights and Ashifashabba from 1999 to 2005.

Along with widely received and wildly appreciated radio shows and massive township happenings, Static Plastic was dropping excellent sets at Club Gemini in Pretoria and making guest appearances at parties in Cape Town, Mafikeng, Mmabatho, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein, and outside the country in Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Greece. His contribution to clubbing continues to this day: he's currently resident at Fuel Café's Around The House shakedowns on Friday nights (for promoter LiLO).

A qualified and award-nominated Sound Engineer (having trained and worked at the SABC from 1987, completing a range of computer, broadcasting and production programmes), Petro established Phat Kat Records along with DJ Christos in 1995. He has gone on to produce over 20 albums, numerous remixes, tracks for commercials, and compilations, and has mastered over 50 albums by the who's who of South African artists.

The list of projects he's been directly involved with is long and impressive, and includes Sharon Dee's "Sonke Siyaphila"; Bob Mabena's "Amaru (The Producers Cut)"; the 2 DJs & a Keyboard Player albums; four volumes in the genre- and pitch-shifting "Slow Jams" series; and a solo long-player ("Static Plastic"). He's also constructed tracks for kwaito acts like MDC, BM Fan, FOUR, Masaluta and Daddy.

Petro has also penned and programmed remixes for Lightyear, Acoustic Kitchen, Citrus and Antigravity, and more recently for Jeff Maluleke, Choppa, Brenda Fassie and Rebecca Malope. For his Static Plastic label he's produced projects like Oracle (their "Xeree" was featured on Virgin Records' "World Moods Vol. 2" collection) and "Deltawaves - PhazeOne", and he's contributed his Midas touch to cuts for compilations like "Mzansi House" and the Pop Stars albums.

But it's a rich musical record that Petro will be most remembered for. A man of multiple talents, Static Plastic has gathered foot-stomping momentum and a mountain of respect in his two decades in the dance game - long may his beat go on…

Phat Kat Record's catalogue is now available under the Static Plastic brand.

One DJ, One Music, One label.

Mzilikazi wa Afrika (Mzee)

Mzilikazi wa Afrika - that is the name that you will hear most often as from July 2007 in the music industry. Mzilikazi, who uses the stage name Mzee - your Highness in Swahili -, has released his debut house album aptly titled Dance or Die! This is not just an ordinary album; it's a project that features the best of this universe - from Ivory Coast's Meiway, who is a Kora All Africa Music Award-winner to the UK-based Lynne E and Brazilian producer Roger Benou. Mzee features the latter on the club song So Pra Voce.

Mzee, who is one of South Africa's underrated producers who definitely have a bright future in music, has done what some will term as the first. The Bushbuckridge-born producer features South Africa's Kora Award-winning musician, Pops Mohammed, on the T txoroca (pronounced Tiqorosa), which is a !Kwe language for We can dance. It features vocals done by Khoisan people recorded at the Kalahari Desert in Namibia.

He has a reason for featuring some of the top musicians from around the world.

"Music is a universal language understood by everyone from Brazil to Zimbabwe. As long as people feel the beat, the music and the groove, in my opinion, your language won't matter that much," he says.

Actually this statement supplements one of the songs, Nanan, which is sung by Paris-based musician, Meiway, who does it in style. The song has what is takes to make you either go down or dance serious kwasa-kwasa even if you're not a West African native.

South Africa's maskandi genius Ihashi Elimhlophe complements the album with his genius guitar wizardry when he collaborates with Mzee on the song Siya eDurban. The ever-green Ihashi is one of the musicians who are in demand to work with artists and add his touch to make it world class, as he has done when he works with the likes of Brothers of Peace, Mafikizolo or his children Amaponi.

It took Mzee three years to complete the album, and the first song that was done is Bomba, and "it's because I wanted to collaborate with the best people who understand and feel what I'm doing. I've recorded more than one thousand songs and collaborated with the best DJs and musicians from around the world, and only 15 songs have made it to this album.

"Other songs will be released in the near future. They will still be relevant because the music and the beats are matured, and some of them are not ready for release. I don't want to make new fans and then leave them behind in terms of my music," says Mzee smiling.

Mzee started music as a past-time, since he holds a professional job as an award-winning journalist at Sunday World. He is an investigative editor, and the calling to do music has clearly taken over, hence in between working, he has also managed to produce an album that will take the music world by storm.

In one of the songs, Mina Bengidzakiwe [I was indeed drunk], Mzee worked with Sabelo Simelane, a young up and coming producer from Swaziland, in making the song that is sung during the Marula drinking season. The catchy tune is one of those that you can dance to when you listen to the album even if you are sober.

Mzee also revives the spirit of Nigeria's export, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who is also one of his favourite musicians of all time. In pairing with fellow Nigerian guitarist, the South African-based Kora Award winner Kunle Ayo, they collaborate on the song simple titled Fela. Music lovers from Limpopo and Mpumalanga will immediately recognise the sounds of Mahuwelele, a song that is the mixture of different and popular sounds from those provinces.

Speaking of the north, Mzee also revives the popular song Neria, a classic number that is owned by Zimbabwe's superstar, Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi. The remix will be even more popular at dance clubs. He also features a Paris; France based diva Clara "Felina" Creantor on the song Ma Faute, an indication that the album is world class, while at the same time some music critics have called it a fruit salad of house music. The mixture of the different sounds from around the world makes this an exciting and worthy album - a collectors' item.

Good Times Records is an independent record label owned by multi-award winning investigative journalist and music producer, Mzilikazi wa Afrika, and his colleague, Zakhele "Mzakesman" Shiba. Mzee says: "Anyone who's found without the copy of the album must know that they are missing out big time."

His inspirations in the music industry comes mainly from Fela Kuti, Salif Keita, Youssou Ndour, Pops Mohammed, Busi Mhlongo and his friends, Revolution [George and Joseph Mothiba], and Mega. His other inspiration is DJ Oskido of Brothers of Peace and DJ Fresh.

MZILIKAZI'S ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 1999 The Nat Nakasa for Media Integrity Award Winner.
• 1999 South African Courageous Journalism joint Award Winner.
• 1999 Foreign Correspondence Association Runners up.
• 1999 Sunday Times journalist of the year.
• 2000 Sunday Times story of the year.
• 2001 Harry Brittain Fellow [England].
• 2001 US Foreign Exchange Fellow for Investigative journalism [USA].
• 2001 Awarded Honorary Citizenship of Nebraska State [USA].
• 2001 The Nat Nakasa for Media Integrity Award joint Winner.
• 2001 Mondi Paper Newspaper Award: News Writing joint Winner.
• 2001 Mondi Paper Newspaper Award: South African Story of the Year joint Winner.
• 2001 Sunday Times Story of the Year joint Winner. 13) 2002 Vodacom Journalist of the Year joint Regional Winner.
• 2003 John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Award joint Winner [Namibia].
• 2003 Lorenzo Natali Investigative Journalism Award joint Finalist [Belgium].
• 2003 Sunday Times Journalist of the Year joint Winner.
• 2003 International Consortium of Investigative Journalism Award joint Finalist [USA].
• 2003 Guest Speaker at the International Conference for Investigative Journalism [Denmark].
• 2005 wrote a chapter on Investigative Journalism on the book titled Changing the Fourth Estate - essays on South African Journalism commissioned by the Human Science Research Council [HSRC].

Robin Hogarth

Robin Hogarth is a long standing composer and producer of music, particularly for film and TV, a music publisher, and a specialist in African and Southern African music.

Born in England in 1948, he began his music career in Zimbabwe with original bands, after training in piano, choral work, and later guitar.

Moving to South Africa, he wrote and performed material with a number of bands, having chart success, and a number of his songs were subsequently recorded by other artists.

He then began writing for film, initially for two feature films, and subsequently for TV.

From 1987 to the present day he has written and produced the theme and incidental music for numerous South African TV series, and made-for-TV films. These productions have received local and international recognition (South African awards, a New York Film Festival award), and range from comedies to action thrillers, historical drama to modern dramas, covering a panorama of different musical styles.

Based in the UK, he has been involved in a wide range of other projects, including more films, and co writing and co producing an international dance album.

He is a partner in a UK recording studio which produces singer-songwriter albums, and a range of other independent projects.

In addition to the KPM double CD "Colours of South Africa" he has composed and produced the music for two wildlife programmes for Survival Anglia in the UK (one based in Bushman music, the other native American), and completed an album of African music (Southern Africa) for the London label Music House.

Later productions range from a native American film album (Native America - Music House) to a track (Oracle) on the Virgin Records compilation "World Moods 2", featuring Enigma, Youssou N'Dour, Deep Forest and Peter Gabriel, among others. In 2003 and 2004 he produced albums for the Soweto Gospel Choir, the first of which, "Voices From Heaven", reached number one on the Billboard World Music charts in 2005.

After the Soweto Gospel Choir won a Grammy at the 49th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on 11th February, for Best Traditional World Music Album, Robin Hogarth, British born composer and producer, and record producer of the Grammy winning album ‘Blessed’ said: ‘I am exhilarated at our receiving this Grammy – on behalf of the whole choir and those who worked so hard on the album and all that we do, this is a tremendous honour for us, and for South Africa.

The importance of this cannot be underestimated. Through the years of turmoil in South Africa, and the long walk to freedom walked by Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa, the music and art of South Africa have played a vital role in expressing the hope and aspirations of the people. Soweto Gospel Choir members are representative of South Africans everywhere, and this award underlines what can be achieved. The future is alive with possibility! All South Africans can be proud in such an achievement, as can all like minded people, and can take hope that the dream of a better world for all can be realised.

The Soweto Gospel Choir, formed four years ago, has performed extensively in Europe, Australia and the US and has won numerous awards including an Australian Helpmann Award, and an American Gospel Award. At the Edinburgh Festival, in the UK the choir has been a top selling show, and the choir is booked in the US into 2008. It has performed in many prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. The choir was formed by promoters Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Clifford Hocking, in association with Executive Producer Beverley Bryer, and Musical Director David Mulovhedzi.

Andy X

He began his career in April 2000 after he got his first break as a DJ in Rock Bees nightclub. After matriculating in 1997 he moved to Pretoria to study Broadcasting in Pretoria Technicon.After completing his course he applied at different radio stations in South Africa, fortunately securing a slot on his home town radio station, Durban Youth Radio. Since then he has been associated with famous nightspots such as Spam, White House and other major Events in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

In 2005 Andy attended the first SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC CONFERENCE, presented by DJ'S UNITED in Johannesburg and gleaned a great deal from the various presentations. It was at this point that Andy knew he had it in himself to be not only a great DJ, but also a Producer.

In 2006 and 2007 the SAMC really put Andy X on the platform within the music fraternity when he performed alongside the likes of Mr V, Alex Alvares, Christos, Quentin Harris, Osunlade, and Frank Roger. Since then Andy has become a household name in Durban where he has now secured the coveted afternoon drive slot in Durban youth Radio.

The SAMC experience prompted Andy to produce his own album and under the guidance of veteran producer DJ Christos, "The First Movement" album was born.

Response from the local clubs has been great so far and online sales are ramping well.

This respectful young man has become a truly an important figure to all who know him and at the same time has helped to put his small home town in Africa on the map.

When asked who his inspiration was he immediately answers "DJ Christos".

Make sure your shoes have strong soles because Andy X will definitely keep you on the dance floor from now until he drops. Truly this is the first movement...

Zonke

If music has a fountain, then Kalawa Jazmee Records has more than one of those. The black owned record label has unleashed yet another talented artist and another diva in the making whose album is going to mesmerize music lovers for many years to come. Zonke is not your average new kid on the block, she has been around - done that and seen that - and she comes overloaded with experience and an amazing talent. She has cut her teeth with Culture Clan, a nine piece Germany based funky and soul band that had three South African members.

The little unknown band went all out to win a Metro FM Award for the RnB song in 2004 as well as a Channel O award for the best video in 2005. Although Zonke travelled with Culture Clan all over Europe and received a number of standing ovations she is little known here at home in South Africa.

But with her new album she is definitely going to cement her name as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry and win a handful of fans as well. Coming from a musical family, her father a former drummer with Flamingos, a Cape Town based band, and her step mother Anneline Malebu of Joy fame - Zonke has the right musical foundation and influences.

She says: "I grew up listening to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder as well as Natalie Cole. From the age of six I was singing with my sisters and my step-mother was great to me. She took me around and introduced me to a couple of people in the industry." She adds: "Recording and touring with Culture Clan was a great stepping stone in my life and an amazing experience."

Returning back home from Europe, Zonke started working with a number of local musicians, writing songs for TK on her Black Butterfly album, Loyiso on Wine, Women & a Song as well as her stable mates - Skizo, Thebe and Mafikizolo. But it happened because her sister, Lolo, who is also a musician, literally dragged her to Kalawa Jazmee recording studios and introduce her to Oscar "DJ Oskido" Mdlongwa and the record executive did not want Zonke to leave without her golden signature as one of the new artists in the stable.

Zonke says: "Working with the creative's at Kalawa was amazing, the guys are so talented. Right now I can't tell you what my next album will sound like." Zonke says there isn't any tension between her and Kalawa Jazmee's first lady, Thadiswa Mazwai. She says: "This is a big cake and there is a slice for everyone. There is enough room for me, Thandiswa and Unathi."

Zonke also had a scoop collaborating with the award winning Thandiswa on her album and with Jahseed on a song titled Ngwenyamakazi. About her album, Zonke says: "My album is nothing but great music and there is something for everyone. People must expect allot of drum and bass as well as world music sounds. I am very excited about it."

Zonke has already made her mark internationally including collaborating with house music guru Frank Roger on his single "All in the way" which was released earlier this year. She is now well on her way to conquer the local music industry so everybody steps aside because a new diva has landed with a bang.

George Lee Larnyoh

George Lee, born Kwame Narh Kojo Larnyoh began his long career in the international music industry when as an 18 year old bandleader he was selected to take his band on tour with Louis Armstrong, during the jazz legends famed visit to Ghana in 1956. Already somewhat of a local popular music prodigy George went on tour to Nigeria a day after Ghana became independent in 1957. When he returned to Ghana three years later it was said that he came out of the jungle playing be-bop. He was one of the artists selected by the then President Kwame Nkrumah, to attend Ghana's prestigious arts and culture school for six months before being sent to the World Fair in Berlin Germany as Ghana's cultural emissaries. Led by George Lee, the famed Ghana Messengers played an eclectic mix of traditional music, high life and jazz during their 60's European sojourn. Much to the surprise of visitors to the World Fair the Ghanaian musicians daily exchanged their traditional kente cloth and drums, for tuxedos and brass instruments to execute the international popular jazz tunes of the day with equal flair and skill.

Since then George's illustrious career path had taken him on stages, in theatres, in recording and television studios all over the world until 1986 when he decided to bring his skills and resources back home to Africa. This move followed an inspirational big band tour to Mozambique in 1984 where the realities of war in Africa and apartheid hit home. It was when he returned to London that the band ANANSI was formed and the first ANANSI LP was released. The "A" side of the debut single "Sea Shells" was adopted as the theme tune of the popular long running BBC TV arts programme "Ebony" soon after it's UK release . The timeless ANANSI album went on to achieve a measure of success in the UK music charts as a quality independent jazzy dance floor hit, several of the tracks have had a life of their own. Most recently the re-release of the track Lailaila on a compilation, 20 years after it was first recorded.

In South Africa where he has lived since 1990 George Lee continues to be involved as featured composer, arranger, producer, M.D. or performer, in various corporate projects, for unions, in theatres, television, the community, various government departments and the diplomatic corps. As featured songwriter, producer and performer he appeared in the major Hollywood movie "Good Man in Africa" starring Sean Connery. George Lee is regarded as a jazz icon In South Africa and has been featured in a many made for television music programmes as well as being the subject of several television profiles, including the critically acclaimed "Without Borders" produced by award winning Harriet Gavshon. He's also made many other TV appearances in special features on the role of the African Drum, African traditions etc...

Theatre has also captured George Lee's attention more than once. Most productively in London in the seventies when he was called upon to put his talents and experience into co-adapting the Gilbert and Sullivan classic light opera "The Mikado" which went on the become the world wide hit musical "The Black Mikado" and he spent four years as the shows musical director at the Cambridge Theatre in London's west end. In South Africa George wrote, arranged, directed, and performed the music for "Kweku Ananse" a musical play that introduced Ghanaian folklore to South African theatergoers. In Kwa Zulu Natal he was closely involved with the musical direction of Khaba Mkhize's Vita Award winning play "Pity!Maritzburg" the first community production to legitimize the Durban Playhouse Theatre in 1991 after years of cultural boycott. The first Wole Soyinka play performed in South Africa saw George as the musical supervisor of "Death & the Kings Horseman".

His songs have been recorded by artistes in many parts of the world including Johnny Nash in the USA; South African Chris McGregor in France; and a range of singers from Ghanaians in Germany, to Nigerians in London, Americans in Canada and Mozambicans in South Africa. As a horns arranger and session musician George Lee often worked with the legendary Bob Marley in London and America. Just check out the tenor sax solo on Natty Dread and you will hear Georges horn loud and clear. He spent four years on the road across Europe and America with Johnny Nash when the original "I Can See Clearly Now" was No.1 around the globe. He's seen it all. Two of his South African development artists have recently recorded Lets Be Friends and Edge of Love, both songs he wrote for the legendary Johnny Nash that were released by the artist in the seventies.

South African guitar superstar Jimmy Dludlu is a protégé of George Lee, as a teenager he spent 18 months living under George's roof and mentorship in Swaziland, one of many young musicians around the globe that have benefited from his unwavering commitment to the upliftment of musical skills and disciplines. He never denies help to an artist serious about his craft Skills sharing and mentorship is a way of life for George who maintains close links with the community, particularly Alexandra township in Gauteng where he trained and developed a group of mature student musicians over six years of free weekly workshops. This resulted in a creditable workshop band made up of taxi drivers, builders, council workers and other mature student musicians with a passion for jazz that they had never had the opportunity to develop, until George Lee came along. The Maloke House Workshop Band with an exciting original repertoire performed at many significant functions creating strong bonds of friendship.

In 1990 the beautiful countryside around Pietermaritburg, South Africa, was referred to as the killing fields of Natal, it was the site of some of the fiercest battles for political freedom in South Africa. It is here that George and his wife settled after 4 years in Swaziland. He was to be one of the first African musicians in the South African classrooms, in the contrasting environments of Durban Girls High and the township school of Sobantu High in Pietermaritzburg . He has since conducted many percussion, sax, ensemble, African traditional, jazz and other formal and informal music workshops for adults and children.

At the 1994 inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, George Lee led a tribute by over a hundred cross cultural drummers, a singular honour and undoubtedly a highlight of his stay in South Africa. A performance at the World Festival of Sacred Music in Capetown during the visit of the Dalai Lama , for His Millennium event in Africa, ended 1999 on a very high note for George as he had the opportunity to sing one of his own meaningful peace and reconciliation songs at this significant time.

Globe trotting George Lee went off to the Seychelles to headline the annual Jazz festival and conduct more workshops thanks to his good friend the then Seychelles Ambassador to South Africa, Peter Guy Sinon, founding member of the Seychelles Jazz Festival and son of a leading figure in the Seychelles own struggle for independence. George Lee is probably one of the few people who voted at elections in the first African country to gain independence, Ghana1957, and in the last country to gain independence, South Africa 1994. He was there and exercised his right to vote.

There are very many important moments and people that have touched the life of this sixty nine year old African giant. Recently George was humbled to have been featured on the 2006 African Peer Revue Mechanism CD project with South African greats Babsy Mlangeni, Steve Kekana, Jabu Khanyile, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and many others. Also to be part of the South African launch of the Bramah Kumari, World Spiritual University global J-A-M project. Full of energy and the spirit of creativity now as he was in his twenties who knows what else Big G will turn his mind to, and where that might be. He has spent most of 2005-6 in his home studio recording his songs and developing South African talent. As a song writer George continues to build up a vast catalogue of original quality songs that are full of depth and meaning while proving to be infectious on the feet. Produced and recorded at his home studio in central Johannesburg where George and engineer Paul Waye are having fun doing what they do.

For the very best expression of smooth contemporary African World Jazz Fusion, georgelee@artslink.co.za.

Christos Katsaitis

Christos Katsaitis is a legendary deejay and one of the country's most respected house and kwaito producers. A veteran of nearly two decades, he's consistently broached colour lines to deliver his feel-good rhythms.

As a deejay, Christos is associated with some of the most seminal nightspots in the Gauteng area, including Caesar's Palace, Gemini, Fourth World, Ellesse and Carnalita. From behind the mising desk, he's produced some of the biggest tracks of the recent past, including 2 DJs and a Keyboard Player's "Sekele", Boom Shaka's "Free" and DJs At Work's "Hita Famba Moyeni".

Christos secured his first professional residency at Jacqueline's in Pretoria when he was just 18. He went on to play at another Pretoria club, Limelight, before taking up a three year residency at Caesar's Palace in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Although this was a mostly mainstream club, Christos had fallen in love with early Chicago house tunes and he began enlightening the up-for-it crowd. "I had a broader audience rather than just a select crowd, so I was educating people," he says.

He also met his future partner-in-groove, Vinny da Vinci, at Caesar's. The Pretoria-bred DJ had taken up a residency at Arena in Hillbrow and would go Caesar's to soak up the tunes. The two hit it off and a friendship began that's resulted in three excellent DJs At Work albums - cutting edge recordings that blissfully blend local motifs and solid international house action.

Christos then took up a residency at Fourth World in inner city Johannesburg, a club that's credited with introducing house and techno to South African shores. But Christos soon grew tired of the faster and more brutal sounds and found refuge in the township bash scene, where tempos were slower (often 45s played at 33rpm) and atmospheres were cheerier. Christos got gigs at places like King's Palace in Thembisa, and Vinny helped him to secure slots at Club Gemini in Shoshanguve, where he'd regularly play to 1000+ people.

Christos has consistently delivered the funky goods to dancefloors of all persuasions, and has played with big guns like "Little Louie" Vega. But more importantly, he has rocked some of the countries most important and ecstatic venues, including the vaunted and sadly defunct Pretoria venues Club Ellesse and Carnalita. His mix-CD CV is impeccable: his mixed deep journeys like "Club Classics", "Wicked Sounds" and "Magic Rhythms" (all on House Afrika Records).

Christos also played a pivotal role in defining the sound of kwaito and local Afro-house, initially with collaborators like DJ Static P, Tim White and Quentin Foster, and then with Oscar Warona and Don Laka - he is actually the Ka- in Kalawa. This production crew and label, now called Kalawa Jazmee, were responsible for kwaito's first supergroup Boom Shaka. After Christos left the stable he produced sparkling material for two well-received and award-winning albums for their lead singer Lebo.

DJ Christos has been a major role player in the development of South African dance music, and he has done it with an honesty and open-mindedness that's blind to cultural barriers. "I decided that if I was going to deejay, I was going to do it from the heart," he says. "Music brings people together." Christos embodies house music's ability to unify.

Ronnie - Cross Bones Productions

Ronnie Packer-real name Ronnie Tsakani Sambu born on the 16 December 1984 in South Africa. As a producer he likes to listen to all type of music and this helps me to have a broad mind when producing his music. One of his favorite artists is Luciano Pavarotti.

He started producing in 2003 and at the time he was producing a Kwaito which will always have a special place in his heart like his first keyboard which was given to him as a present for his 21st birthday. As the sun kept on rising and setting he started developing a taste for producing other genres like Hip-hop and House music.

Currently he is experimenting with Afro House a mixture between House, Electro and African Rhythms. He was inspired to produce this kind of music by one of his favorite DJs, DJ Vincent who plays and produces this type of Music. He feels strongly that music should appeal to all walks of life and should cross cultural and racial boundaries, something which Afro House does very successfully.

In 2006 he attended the South African Music Conference where I learned about mixing and mastering of tracks. He was reassured of his abilities when to of South Africa's most revered producers "Revolution" said that having the best quality studio equipment is not a guarantee that one will have best quality sound. The most important thing is to know your sound, get your mixing right and know which frequencies to cut when mastering.

As an optimist and genuine hard working young man who is determined and loyal he believes that CROSS BONES will take music to another level and so invites every one to join him on this journey.

Zero One Eight

Zero One Eight is world music group influenced by various style and genre of music such as R&B, Afro Pop, House and Kwaito. The group started out by performing in beauty contests and talent search competitions like the North West Cultural Calabash.

The name Zero One Eight (018) is derived from the dialing code of the North West province in South Africa, this forms identity of the group since all members are born and bred in the City of MATLOSANA (Klerksdorp).

The group has been together since 1999 consists of three members which are, Elias Modise, Vincent Mazinyo and Tsholofelo Kgokong who were introduced to each other by Jabu Ndaba from Malaika in 1999.

In 2005 they were introduced to DJ HK from Mafikeng, who is the owner of Husky Records and who promptly producer their debut album "TSHASA" which was launched on the 2nd of September 2006 in Mafikeng at a night club called De garage.

Zero One Eight has shared the stage with national artists such as Malaika, Tuks, KB (Keabetswe), Hip Hop Pantsula, Stoan, Morafe, Mr. Bouga Luv "KABELO", Bricks, Bravo, Malik, Orayan Winter, DJ Bino and many more.

They have performed at such events like The World Health Day on the 17th of April 2006, Maf-town festival 17 December 2005 in Mafikeng, on the 7th of October 2005 at Baseline in Newtown, Johannesburg in conjunction with Edgar's and Metro FM and also at the Moshito annual music conference talent showcase held at Sandton convention centre in Johannesburg on July the 22nd in 2005.

Nemza

All the girls just love Nemza. With his perfect dreads, pretty eyes and cute nose, he is probably the most popular rapper when it comes to girl power.

But, the boy from Heidelberg, Gauteng, is also an accomplished hip-hop artist whose solo album, Showtime, is being well received.

"It's a lot of hard work trying to get people on my side, but having the Skwatta Kamp name behind certainly helps," says Nemza.

"The name Showtime is more about how it is my time to prove myself as an individual. This is Showtime for me. However it's not an album driven by a specific concept.

"In terms of beats, I go with any sound that attracts my attention. I only need to listen to a beat for 15 seconds and I'll know if it's good. Then the lyrics just come.

"This album is showing the other side of me. It's different to my Skwatta Kamp style. This is an in-depth look into Nemza. There are deep lyrics, but it wasn't difficult for me to write about myself. It actually made me feel relieved.

"I've always wanted to do a solo album but I don't believe in rushing things. Now is the right time to release. Because Skwatta never released last year I had time to record. I am a cautious person. I'm one of those people who observe and then act."

That's why there are no stories in the papers about Nemza being spotted whilst drunk. "You'll never read bad things about me." He pauses. "Well, not now anyway."

Members of Skwatta also contributed to the CD. Infah designed the cover, which shows Nemza on- stage flirting with the crowd. It is one of the more imaginative covers to come out. He also features Skwatta members Bozza and Flabba, who happened to be in the studio at the time. Up-and-coming artists Kabomo and Ramesh as well as Teepee are also featured.

In fact, he has chosen Teepee as one of his crew when he performs live. "We have that R&B/hip-hop vibe going on," explains Nemza.

His DIY ethic led him to work with Watershed Productions, an Indie recording studio. He has also started his own company called Nemza Productions. Surely the market is flooded with music production companies?

"There can never be enough," he argues. "I want to work behind the scenes. I can't rap forever so I am exploring different parts of the industry. Besides which, I need some new challenges."

At school, Nemza was not only in- to music, he also was mechanically and mathematically minded. However, he decided to choose music.

"I enjoy myself as a rapper," he declares.

"I've been doing this for a long time but I still wake up excited every day."

The amount of time spent in the industry is also reflected in his name change a few years back.

"I used to be called Nemisus because I had personal battles with the industry. I wanted to be its nemesis and the nemesis to certain rappers. But then I grew up and it didn't apply anymore. I couldn't really change the name so I made it kasi."

Are Skwatta Kamp breaking up?

Nemza laughs and shakes his head: "We've just finished recording an album and will be releasing it soon. As far as our solo albums go we are trying as far as possible to promote them together."

Inemo

Inemo Samiama is from Nigeria and represents a new generation of African musicians currently coming out of the continent. From his earliest years he was shaped and influenced by music and his father, a guitarist, taught him to play. At the age of 18 he formed a professional group with a friend, the well known Nigerian musician Majek Fashek. The group was called Jah Stix.

He traveled to Paris in the early eighties, where he played with artists like Rido Bayone, Ray Lema and Tony Allen (former drummer of Fela Kuti). Inemo was then signed by Mercury/Universal for his debut album "Bushman" (distributed by Polygram) which mixed African melodies with techno, hip-hop, jungle, dub and ambient sounds. Mercury/Universal also released his second album "Mr Bushman - Are You Remixed" which included remixes of the first album and some new tracks (again distributed by Polygram).

Following the huge success of both albums on the continent, he was nominated for an RFI (Radio France Industry) Music Award as Best World Music Artist.

Inemo has now decided to return to his roots. After three years of composing, recording and traveling between London, Paris and Africa, he is back with a new album, "Afro Funky Beats". The music is mostly Afrobeat but the album also features some other West African rhythms like hi-life, hence its title.

Goldfish

Goldfish come from one of the most beautiful cities on the African continent - Cape Town.

As South Africa's electronic scene grows they are leading the way with their mix of electronic beats, live instrumentation and African flavour, bringing a unique sound to the genre. The group combine the sound of samplers, a groovebox and keyboards with live saxophones, flute, an electric upright base and an array of African percussion.

The line-up consists of David Poole, Dominic Peters and Mzaki Palele. All successful Jazz musicians, David and Dominic are also members of the acclaimed Jazz band Breakfast Included.

They have featured on numerous international compilations including the Breathe Sunshine series and a compilation titled Virgin Staff Picks which was compiled by the staff from the Virgin music retail group. These guys Kick ass live and we're confident they will be one of the biggest electronic acts to come out of the African continent.

For more information on the group you can visit their website at www.goldfishlive.com

Noss

Noss is an Afro-Soul songstress and a professionally trained actor. Her talents and passion for music can be traced back to her childhood and most notably in her high school years where she was lead vocalist in her choir. She made her professional entry into the music industry through the album AMAZING (2003) released by Appetite Records.

The single and title track AMAZING became an instant hit with radio stations putting it on high rotation and eventually being nominated in the Best R&B category of the South African Music Awards (S.A.M.A).

That album has now been followed up with her current one aptly titled VERSATILE released through Watershed Productions.

The album truly shows versatility and growth. The sound is more mature showcasing African traditional rhythms, blues, jazz and modernised Kofifi sounds making it easy listening on any music ear.

She worked with many talented artists and producers like. On the featured artists side she worked with Soul Afrique on the beautiful track "United", Nemza (Skwatta Kamp) on "EEZY CUM - EEZY GO" and the Orlando St. Mary's Choir on "NEW DAWN" and on production she worked with Kyllex, Soul Afrique, M.O. Dee, Dini and Anele Ndebele to craft this beautiful album's sounds and style.

Noss also takes on the greater part of the song-writing also showcasing her personal growth as an artist. It is in this way that she manages to offer the listener insight into her world. Her lyrics deal with topics that delve into the inner workings of life; finding happiness, individuality, love, spirituality and survival.

She was born Nosipho Radebe on 3rd of July 1984 and hails from Dlamini in the township of Soweto.

Discography - Album 1
Album Title: AMAZING
Record Company: APPETITE RECORDS
Release: 2003

Discography - Album 2

Christine Mansour

Christine was born on the 21 November 1978 a South African of Lebanese origin, third born of four sisters, and blessed with a musical gift.

She attended Horizon View Primary school on the west rand. Evidence of her outgoing personality was already apparent. From there went to West Ridge High school. Peers and teachers alike were captivated by her enthusiasm and love for life and music.

This young lady has many interests one of which she chose to pursue after leaving school. She attended Varsity College where she completed a course in Hotel Management and Public Relations. She was employed for a month at the grace hotel as a trainee chef from where she was employed at Avianto Function Venue, Giovanni Italian Restaurant and at Casalinga Ristorante.

From a young age she was performing for school functions, family, and friends. She also entered many singing competitions and was most successful. At the age of sixteen she was trained with breathing techniques, as she required no vocal training, this also equipped her with theoretical knowledge, which combined with her talent makes her performance outstanding. She has confidence and portrays and outstanding great personality. She sings passion and feeling which evokes emotion in the audience.

She was recently employed by Starlight Cruises as a Cabaret Artist aboard the Olympia Countess Pireaus Greece Luxury Cruise liner where she completed a six month contract. She has had quite a wide variety of experience, and does a wide range of functions including; corporate, birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas functions.

Christine starred with radio personality Harry Sideropoulos in October 2005 at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre in "Songs from the Mediterranean" and will take part in Harrys show of 2008 called "Uno, Dos, Tres". Christine has had the privilege of working with great choreographers like Carlo Spettu and Harold Van Buuren. Christine has the ability to sing in 10 languages and released her debut album in February 2006 produced and written by recording artist Kreesan of Spitfire Music.

This very talented girl also has had airplay nationwide on most local city radio stations like Highveld Stereo, Jacaranda, OFM, Classic FM and Radio Today. With her very own hot single called "it finally happened to me" which was placed upon the first Homebru compilation of Higheveld Stereo, Christine has managed to maintain this single for six years on radio.

Christine has worked extensively with many charity organizations like the Gateway Society for the mentally handicapped, SANCA, the Alzheimer Association, Return to Roots Foundation, Childline and the Prevention of Rape Against Woman and Children. She also works hand in hand with Your Family and Living and Loving Magazine, Christine will be performing this year at the Caxton Awards alongside Colin Moss.

Christine is a very social person and has a great sense of humour has no air about herself, loves meeting new people, she gives of an inspiring attitude that other artists can learn from by just being a born natural. She loves walking, socialising and keeping in contact with close friends.

Her future holds great prospects. She grabs hold of each opportunity, and follows through with commitment and determination.

Trompies

The doyens of Kwaito music are back with a banging brand new album simple titled "Can't touch this" and is hot like fire.

Another Kalawa Jazmee explosive and with this album, Trompies is making a brave and bold statement - you can't touch them as they have been making hit after hit and getting bigger and better with every album they release.

Trompies celebrate the life and death of drama Queen Lebo Mathosa with their first single Madibuseng - a tribute to Mathosa. The group collaborated with Mathosa before in their double platinum single Magasman.

In the song Madibuseng, Trompies brought almost everybody from Kalawa Jazmee - Bongo Maffin, Brothers of Peace, Mafikizolo, Thebe as well as Theo Nhlengethwa, Mathosa's former partner and band member at Boom Shaka - to back them as they celebrate her life in this beautiful song.

The 10 track album was produced by the multi-talented Dangerous Combination Crew [DCC], Oscar "Oskido" Mdlongwa, Mandla "Spikiri" Mofokeng, Bruce "Dope" Sebitlo, Zynne "Mahoota" Sibika and is going to be another classic album by Trompies.

The group featured Tokollo "Magesh" Tshabalala, another Kwaito heavyweight and two of their up and coming stable mates, Macasket and Zonke, on this album.

In the title track can't touch this, they featured Kwaito veteran and one of the most controversial lyrist Senyaka. And also they featured Junior Sokhela - a Boom Shaka member - in a song called Koko.

They also featured Professor and T'zozo in a song called For Sale.

Trompies is made up of four old school friends, Mahoota, Spikiri, Eugene "Donald Duck" Mthethwa and Jairus "Jakarumba" Nkwe.

The group was formed more than 10 years ago and produced Kwaito classics like Sigiya Ngengoma, Magasman, Jakarumba, Sweetie Lavo, Zodwa and Bengim'ngaka.

Mthethwa said can't touch this as the title of their album, is their way of say Trompies is here to stay.

He said: "We have been together for over 11 years; we had success with every single album we released, for 11 years we never broke up regardless of what we went through as four different individuals and we are still together even today making hits. So we are saying nobody can touch us in an other way."

This is the group first album under Gallo after Kalawa Jazmee terminated its relationship with Sony shortly after it emerged with BMG.

Trompies' last album Respect [Toasted Gona Ganati] was released in 2004 and has sold over 50 000 copies.

There is no doubt that can't touch this will touch many people's heart with the tribute to Lebo Mathosa and would definitely be one of the most sought after Kwaito album this Christmas season.

Thebe

If it is Kalawa, it's definitely going to jazz you and if it is Thebe, he is definitely going to make you get down to the groove. The Kalawa Jazzmee Records' Dangerous Combination Crew [Oscar "Oskido" Mdlongwa, Mandla "Spikiri" Mofokeng, Zynne "Mahoota" Sibika and Bruce "Dope" Sebitlo] has done it again with the unleashing of Thebe's 10th and brand new album titled "Tha Rocka". As usual the production is well crafted piece of work and the lyrics are catchy with hooks that are easy to sing along to. Thebe is one of the doyens of the Kwaito music and he seems to be getting better and better from every album he releases.

On this new album, Thebe definitely shows that he is on the league of his own - who can blame him - with the Dangerous Combination Crew [DCC] behind you, who will ever go wrong. And it is not a surprise that Thebe wish to have the words "where is the party?" engraved on his tombstone because a party is not a party without a song or two from him. It looks that Thebe, used the two year absence from the music industry to really focus on his career and cover up all his loopholes. When he re-emerged from his self imposed musical exile last year with his already certified platinum album simple titled Lenyora, every Kwaito fan knew that the top dog is back with a bang and that the vibe will definitely continues. And now they will know that a Christmas would not be a Christmas without another jam from Thebe.

On the new album, Thebe simple takes off from where he left off last year and gives his loyal fans another buffet of party songs. Thebe collaborated with one of South Africa's busiest musicians and Hip Hop Pantsula, Zonke, on a song called Way Back When. And also has Avis, the gorgeous and vocal babe from Joyous Celebration who was also featured on the Lenyora album, but this time with a song called Mabhebeza. Thebe, who has admitted that he is now grown up, has tore down his vulgar language which was previously his trademark and now sings for everybody - the censor board would be happy as well.

People would be surprised that Thebe listens to a lot of jazz and laid back music in his spare time for some musical inspirations. It is not a surprise that Thebe regards his opening act for the world music icon, Ishmael Lo of Senegal, in 2000 as one of the highlights of his career. When comes to lyrics, Thebe writes about everyday struggle.

Thebe says: "My lyrics are about my everyday life experience, be at a party or driving around seeing people doing things that inspire me." Thebe says he is pay now that musicians are taking music very seriously. He says: "In the old days music was about making few quick bucks but now musicians have realised that it is a very serious business and are putting more effort to it. Musically we are on the right track and we are going our international competitors a good run for their money."

Thebe, a sound engineer and a DJ, began his musical journey way back in 1994 while he was sharing a flat with Dope, who was then unknown producer, in Mmabato. And him and Dope have been together with since then and along with DCC are making hit after hit. This is Thebe's 10th album and he is definitely making a bold statement with it. And he is here to quench your bitter thirst for music and gives it to you on a silver plate. So this summer, don't be caught without the new Thebe album because you would be missing out big time.

Bongo Maffin

Bongo Maffin has been called many things, many-a-times, in many countries, and yet what they are, or do, as a band is simply this: use their voices, bodies and souls as channels to a very urgent, highly rhythmic, African spirits in the form of music.

"New Construction" is multi-platinum selling, multi-award winning, multitudes of hearts warming band's sixth and most home coming album since their major recording, " Concerto" featuring the township slammer, "That 'Isghubu."

Crafted with the guidance of Kalawa's hit making crew, DCC, are we 14 deftly created songs, complementing and being varied from each other and from anything they have done before. The music is still very distinctly dance music, essentially African, age barrier crushing and more celebratory than their previously politically agitative tone.

It's close to five years since the band worked as one whole in the studio, thus making this album a reunion album of sorts. Also it is not an album intentionally created to take satisfy the fans - "where's Bongo Maffin at?"- questions but a heartfelt re-gathering and sharing of creative energies for the Bongo family, who this years marks ten years as a band.

Songs range from 1970s type of wedding hits, village ritual songs, popular tribal house, dub reggae, township disco and soul music offerings, which sees their dance hall toaster Jah Seed's presence prominently pronounced in this recording than ever before. His Shona propelled song "Kura Uone" has already become the biggest summer hit, just a week after its release.

A charming mid-tempo dance piece with an infectious sing-along-chorus (for the preacher-like communal call and chants, refer to Fela Kuti's "Water No Get Enemy," for the sizzling, summer dance production refer to Trompies "Sweety Lavo" and, or Mtukudizi's mbaqanga-meets rumba jams ) and the fluid, Snoop like rhymes of Stoan Seate all backed by the chirpy Thandiswa, "Kura Uone" makes "Kura Uone" a United Nations of cultures, emotions, and beauty.

As often like the Carribean-hip-hop-rocker-calypso-reggae leaning Fugees in the US - language and regional cultural boundaries, crumbles when Bongo Maffin comes knocking on the door, dance floor, radio charts and all forms of communication technology throws up for usage.

Here Shona, Xhosa and SeTswana do not co-exist, as in the band's previous albums, but merge into one honey dripping dance oriented urban soul. And yet there's also urgency: songs such as "Mo Fire," "We Bring The Fire," and " We Are Back" are self explanatory as they are rhythmic announcements to the band's hard core fans that their favourite band is back. Both those two, harks back to Bongo Maffin's early anthem " Summer Time," the serious outfit's playful side.

Then the big party commences with hits, mostly dance . . . its all about dance this summer, yes the African variation of dances!- as songs such as "Siya Jabula", "Phenyu," , "Bayivumile," and "Viibe Master" heats up the floor.

While " We Are Back," is right out of Kalawa Record's early 1990s, hard core isiPanstsula-meets House signature vaults, "Mo Faya is more bass catchy, the sort of song ripe for lounge house and dub remixes.

Bayivumile is perhaps the most musical of all the hits here: a combination of calls and responses laid on a jazz-house groove, it explodes with saxes, trumpets, rippling guitars conveying an orchestral completeness, and wire to dance groove. On its own, this song expresses -as the band eludes - Bongo Maffin's "homage" (homage/ tribute) to the art of making music. A tribute to time when instruments and not the computer, were the first point of call for those serious about making music.

This is not kwaito, mbaqanga, jazz, house or techno-chants religious folk art: it is every piece and part of that and more. Clearly the band matured long time ago with "Mari Ye Phepa" and "Ndiphendule"( from the album "V") "Laduma Izulu" and "Twasa"( from the last album, "Bongolution") - maturity recently reaching its peak through Thandiswa's own solo project.

Yet if you had not noticed, this is perhaps the only band better placed to redraw, recombine radio's play lists. The music here is young, feisty, fast, nostalgic ( not old, though it makes the elderly get down and boogie) futuristic, soothing, the sort of sound that builds itself in a listener's soul long after the needle has left the vinyl, or iPod segued into other parts of the compilation.

Perhaps buoyed by the successful sole ventures of Thandiswa Mazwai - a SAMA multiple winner, BBC 3 World music finalist, and an international solo force to reckon with - Jah Seed's soaring, religious fan base premised on his dance-hall and roots reggae show at The Horror Café, as well as Stoan's music/lifestyle explorations, the band brings about three solid and clearly unique artists.

Each one of them is firmly established in their own right and yet the music they created here expresses the joy and chemistry they have built over the years. No ego, no disrespect: when one of them raps, sings or chant, they all rap, sing and chant along. The album is significant well beyond the demands of summer jitterbug and mindless boogie, though.

For example, the last section (three of the last four) cuts, "Third World War", "Sul'Inyembezi," (Wipe of Your Tears) and Ndi Nkhumbule, ( Do Remember Me) illustrates that Bongo Maffin is not Bongo Maffin, without social conscience, strong, brave activism and a take on the pressing issues in the world today. They can't help it: they are a feeling trio.

On the music front though, these last compositions are distinct in tempo and genre, as the band delves into laid bare stew of dub, roots reggae and emotional, romantic and ideal strands that made the 1950s- 1980s mbaqanga music and mbaqanga giants such as Soul Brothers, black people cult bands acts, they are today. <\p>

While "Third World War," verges into Bob Marley's territory( "Get Up Stand Up" and "One Love/ People Get Ready")while serving as street reportage about the state of world tension, with the same defiance of rapper Busta Rhymes' "It Aint Safe No More," the songs "Sul Inyembezi" and "Ndi Khumbule" are straight-ahead appeals to the heart.

For indeed, if you or parts if the world is overwrought, Bongo Maffin, with this album offers to relieve and share with you your pain. Like the say, the purpose is to "reconstruct" the souls.

With this album, the message is clear: Bongo Maffin is running for the best youth/adult loved African band of the decade. Clearly they are on the paths once trodden by legendary outfits such as Lo Six, Harari, Osibisa, Theta, Fela's Africa 70 and Zaiko Langa Langa : institutions, than mere bands . . . only that, Bongo Maffin refuse to be embalmed in an African cultural museum.

They are young, creative and too ambitious to settle for iconoclasm right now. Graffiti's been long on the walls: they are back to reclaim their crown - what's that baby they created . . . and now so popular? Afro-Pop? With this, soul is back in the "pop."

Bongo Maffin has been nominated for the BBC Radio Awards for World Music for 2007. The Awards is a unique event and will be good for the profile of Bongo Maffin in the UK and elsewhere - as it has been for many others in the past few years.

Brothers of Peace

OSCAR "Wa batho" Mdlongwa: Producer, engineer, singer, programmer, disc jockey and rapper. Bruce "Dope" Sebitlo: Producer, engineer, singer, programmer and rapper.

The rhythm of D'Gong is captured in the sounds of Brothers of Peace, also known as B.O.P, one of the most exciting and controversial bands to come from the streets. B.O.P has a style that appeals largely to the youth, from their lyrics "O kae molao" (where's the respect) in the street lingo, to dress which is contemporary hip hop. BOP has attitude, are rebellious and survivors. They surf the crime wave by intriguing their audience with constant message of respect towards their fellowmen that is always strongly projected. They are a true representation of the youth

They speak of social issues that influence the peoples lives daily, and the series of repercussions involved with criminal behaviour such as rape, killings and general crime. They are persistent in establishing our popular culture, and teaching the kids how to survive it. BOP are definitely a movement of our time.

Brothers of Peace was formed in 1993 as a project, then it was Don Laka, Oscar 'Wa batho' Mdlongwa and Christos.

In 1994 they then formed a group called Brothers of Peace, now the group has two members which are Oscar 'Wa batho' Mdlongwa and Bruce "Dope" Sebitlo. They released an album which was called Traffic Cop. The album did very well selling over 50 000. 1996 saw the release of their album King of kwaito Uyagawula, this album featured a rapper by the name of Dr Mageu and it sold double platinum.

Brothers of Peace strikes again in 1998 with another hit album Mapodisa-SBV now featuring different rappers called Bafitlihle.

Oscar 'Wa batho' Mdlongwa

A man of many talents - deejay for the popular station Y fm, deejay for Star Taxi Music. Oscar is a producer amongst the groups he has produced are Boom Shaka, Bongo Maffin, Trompies, Thebe, Chakaroski, Alaska to name a few. Amongst instruments that Oscar plays are the piano and the keyboards.

Bruce "Dope" Sebitlo

Bruce is one of the best producers in South Africa - amongst the groups he has produced are Boom Shaka, Bongo Maffin, Thebe, Skizo, Alaska, Chakaroski to mention a few.

Mafikizolo

One of South Africa's most favorite music groups, Mafikizolo, is back with a brand new banging album after a well deserved two year break and this time they want to take their loyal fans on the musical journey of their lives. The transport for the journey is a Six Mabone - a classic car of the 60s - which is the title of their seventh album. Theo Kgosinkwe, the male member of the duo, says: "In the 60s, Six Mabone had the same status as BMW today. And our music is enjoyed by the young and the old. We are taking our fans back and forth."

The latest album is the second without Tebza who was killed in a road rage accident three years ago. The new album has blues and swing elements and most of the songs were recorded with a live band. Nhlanhla Nciza, the female member of the group, insists that although they brought new elements on this album but they have used the same formula like their previous platinum selling albums. She said: "There is a bit of afro pop, kwela and marabi which have become our trademark. They say you must not fix something that is not broken and we are not going to mess with our winning formula."

The album features a remark of Miriam Makeba's classic Walila - and they deserve a round of applause for doing justice to the song. Anybody who does a remark or remix of Miriam Makeba's song has to know his story very well and be brave enough to do so. Nciza admitted: "Doing a remark of Mama Africa's song was one of the hard things to do, she is an international brand with a lot of followers and nobody must mess around with a musical icon like Miriam Makeba." Also on the album, they also featured a new up and coming stable mate, Zonke, on a song simple titled Flowers. There is a mind blowing slow jam called Khululeka which was produced by house music crew, Shaana. Without any doubt, the album shows Mafikizolo's musical growth - they have been in the industry for eight years and they have learned a lot. Kgosinkwe summarizes it the better when he says: "We have been to hell and back. God has been there for us always."

Shortly after Mafikizolo shot to fame, they were involved in a near fatal car accident which left some of the band members in hospital for a couple of weeks. And when they began picking up the pieces and getting their feet back on the groove, Tebza was killed. Six Mabone is an album that will make many people realize how rich South Africans are, musically and that with the right production team like Dangerous Combination Crew [DCC], Oscar "Oskido" Mdlongwa, Mandla "Spikiri" Mofokeng, Bruce "Dope" Sebitlo, Zynne "Mahoota" Sibika plus jazz maestro, Don Laka, behind you - you can keep the world on its dancing feet and win as many music award as possible.

About their album, Nciza said: "Six Mabone is a kind of album that when you put into your sound system, you will never want to take it out for a long time." And Kgosinkwe said: "Mafikizolo does not make albums for December but we make music that will last for a life time. Six Mabone is a must get album if you love and support South African music." Six Mabone will definitely cement Mafikizolo's status as one of the most singing sensational groups in South Africa and musical phenomena in Africa.

Black Coffee

Durban-born Nkosinathi Maphumulo has been on the music scene for over a decade but only got his break a few years ago. Nkosinathi, otherwise known as Black Coffee, is popular for his smash hit remixes, most of which have dominated the airwaves in the past couple of years.

This maestro DJ and producer forged his musical background with his school choir and by studying the keyboard. He studied music in Durban because he felt that as a producer, he had to deepen his overall musical knowledge, develop his listening skills and advance his knowledge of music theory.

Black Coffee, who is a group member of 'Shana', said being a DJ requires extensive research particularly when it comes to knowing the latest trends on the DJing scene. When asked who helped him achieve his goals, he said "There was no one in particular who really put me in the mainstream; everything I have done on my own thus far has paved my way."

2003 saw Black Coffee starting to put his first project together. He revealed that his first album was created using very basic music-making software. "I don't know how to explain the production stages of my album because all I did was put down the basic ideas that I had. I didn't use any MIDI controllers or anything along those sophisticated lines. All I did was program the beats."

His first big break was when his song 'Happiness' was featured on the DJs at Work album. Last year, he enjoyed international exposure when his song 'Music' got signed in New York and was released by Keith Thompson on the album, 'Worlds Collide'.

2005 saw him remix Mbongeni Ngema's 'Stimela Sase Zola' which was released on the 'Durban's Finest' album, 'Finest Level'. Later that year, however, he got caught up in some unexpected controversy after remixing Simphiwe Dana's song 'Ndiredi'. The remix was played on one of Gauteng 's radio stations without Dana's formal approval, landing him in hot water. "I think there was miscommunication with the label. I took the remix to them and informed them that before the remix could be released or broadcast, the owner of the original work would have to be informed. I don't know how it got onto radio, but the song was out of my hands at that stage."

Black Coffee is always being praised for his excellent re-workings of other songs. Another great remix, the track 'Mojo' originally produced by 'Zee' and featured on Dj Mandla's 'Jozi Knights' house compilation, has solidified his reputation.

Nevertheless, he advises up and coming producers not to neglect their own material by being too involved with remixing other people's songs. "It is best to have your own sound that people can relate to; instead of constantly hearing remixes of other people's songs." He also advises aspiring producers to learn how to play the keyboard, because he believes it is one of the fundamental instruments involved in music-making. He added that the use of live instruments in a song is also very important, giving a track that final magic touch and bringing it to life.

For Black Coffee the hardest thing about the music industry is that there aren't many people who'll do the groundwork for you. "If you want the world to hear your material, work very hard and convince your DJ friends to play your tracks either at gigs or in clubs so you can gauge the audience response to your music."

In the studio, he relies on the computer music making software, Logic Audio, a MIDI controller and a professional sound card. That's an understated gear list when one considers the impact he's made on the music scene.

Black Coffee is proof that if you have real skill when it comes to producing, it won't take much for you to achieve your goals. After all he's managed to penetrate the music industry with only a desktop computer, some music-making software and a lot of passion.

The Real Estate Agents

For those not up to date on the cutting edge of South African originality, The Real Estate Agents is the dynamic pairing of lab kids on distortion Sibot and Markus Wormstorm.

Sibot is 2002 SA Battle of the DJs scratch champion, and DJ in many other forms. Having played with various well known SA outfits like Max Normal, Constructus and Chromoscience, he has all the while still been pushing his solo identity as one of the countries most inventive and versatile electronic musicians. His touring history has taken him across South Africa, to international festivals like Sonar, pukkelpop, Fiesta du Sud, and 100% Hip Hop. He has opened for World renowned acts such as DJ Vadim, Blackalicious, DJ Craze, Mira Calix, and FingaThing.

Markus Wormstorm is a classically trained beat terrorist from Pretoria whose tunes are starting to make a global name for him. Markus was signed to New York Label Sound Ink a few years ago, and has to date released a 4 track EP, and has a full length album about to drop. Much to his delight he was invited to lecture at the highly esteemed Red Bull Music Academy in 2003.

Markus also spends his spare time writing kids fantasy story books, designing shadow puppet shows and writing compositions for ad campaigns for companies like Audi, Cell C, Metro FM and VW.

These two unstable sonic scientists with a fetish for low-fi audio-visual property values (who are also the brains and beats behind that other fine experiment called The Constructus Corporation, but that's a different biography all together) have both made deeply distinct impressions on the leftfield music scenes both on home soil and abroad, where their disdain for conventional DJ or production laws has led them to be much hailed and critically acclaimed by the electronic music cognoscenti.

The mergence of the two mix maestros on The Real Estate Agents project has got to be one of the most exiting things to happen in the past decade for organic electronic music this side left of the mainstream.

Live, the dynamic duo own their audience, stepping it up a notch as they re-invent the art of performance with some creative DJ'ing, scratching, sampling and live beat manipulation. Using an array of Samplers, Laptops, feedback units and Turntables, rare and often humorous sounds, bea