Vusi Mahlasela's new album continues to draw rave reviews

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VUSI MAHLASELA (South Africa)

VUSI MAHLASELA’S NEW ALBUM CONTINUES TO DRAW RAVE REVIEWS

‘NALEDI YA TSELA’ the amazing new album by globally acclaimed South African singer
VUSI MAHLASELA, has been receiving praise from all quarters since its November 2006
release, and saw Vusi scoop five South African Music Awards 2007 (SAMA) nominations. At
the SAMA Awards, which took place at Sun City in April, Vusi won the coveted Best Male
Artist award, while his long time Producer/Engineer Lloyd Ross took home the Best
Engineer award.

Vusi also rocked the Superbowl with a live performance alongside fellow SAMA 2007
winners Cassette. Cassette won the Best Rock Album SAMA, and their funked-up
collaboration with Vusi (also featuring members of the Soweto Gospel Choir) had the
audience on its feet. This show was broadcast live on SABC1 to a huge viewing audience.
Vusi also recently wrapped shooting of the first music video from the new album. Directed by
top Joburg based commercials director Dan Roberts of Terraplane Productions, the video for
the track ‘River Jordan’ made it’s TV debut on SABC3’s ‘Top Billing’ show.

Like he’s been doing consistently since 2002 - when North American audiences became
aware of Vusi through his role in the documentary film ‘Amandla! A Revolution In Four Part
Harmony’ - Vusi was recently performing over in the US. This time it was in support of the
new album release there, and he then also went on to appear at several major music
festivals in France, Portugal and Spain.

‘Naledi Ya Tsela’ was released on the ATO Records label over in the North American market,
where the album is titled ‘Guiding Star’.

www.myspace.com/vusimahlasela
www.vusimahlasela.com

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SIPHO “HOTSTIX” MABUSE (South Africa)

Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse is one of the country's best-loved and most respected
musicians; more than just a musician or an artist, he is a legend. Sipho is a regular
commentator on arts and culture in the country and has sat on the Boards of The
National Arts Council and SAMRO, with his influence felt on both sides of the industry
- as an entertainer and as a businessman. Over the course of his illustrious career,
Sipho has become an integral part of the entertainment industry and his contributions
to the musical landscape of South Africa are appreciated and honoured by music
lovers the world over.

Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse was born in Johannesburg in 1951 and from the age of 8
began playing the drums - the instrument that he would master to such a degree that
he would be termed 'Hotstix' his whole life. A competent musician, Mabuse mastered
many instruments: the drums, flute, piano, saxophone, kalimba, alto flute, timbales
and African drums. However, as a young man Sipho thought he was destined to
become a doctor or a lawyer, not a world famous musician.

However, music affected Sipho at a very young age with influences from his
grandfather and uncles, who were traditional singers of scatamiya music (a choral
type music sung mainly by men). He began his career as a professional musician at
the age of 15 when, during his high school years, he formed his first band The
Beaters. The Beaters evolved through time to become Harari, one of the most
successful acts to emerge from the country in the '70's.

www.hotstix.co.za

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PAUL HANMER (South Africa)

Paul Hanmer was born in Cape Town in 1961. His musical interest started at an early age. In the
early 70’s he began classical piano and theory lessons. After three years at the University of
Cape Town, studying for a B.Mus. degree, Paul started working in a variety of different fields. He
took leave of absence from UCT to work with guitarist Paul Peterson (who replaced the late
Russell Herman in ‘Spirits Rejoice’), who also introduced Paul to many musicians. He performed
with Top-40 bands, did jazz standards and played in several original bands.

In 1987 Paul Hanmer moved to Johannesburg and expanded his musical career by working with
various cabaret acts and played in musicals and theatre productions, and was exposed to
musicians like Khaya Mahlangu and other members of the now defunct Sakhile. It was here that
he formed “Unofficial Language” with fellow Capetonian’s Ian Herman (drummer / percussionist
for Tananas) and Pete Sklair (electric bass). The trio recorded the successful album ‘Primal
Steps’ in 1994, featuring the hit track “Tender Mercies”, for which a music video was made. The
album, licensed by Sheer Sound, also featured Mauritz Lotz as a guest on the track “Unofficial
Language”. Unofficial Language was to regroup again 4 years later and in 1998 released a
second album “Move Moves”, this time through Wildebeest Records. The album also drew on the
vocal talents of Wendy Oldfield, Frank Opperman and Waddy Jones.

With his love for collaborative work, Paul has recorded with the likes of Tananas, Miriam Makeba,
Ray Phiri, McCoy Mrubata, “Unofficial Language” and has worked with Moses Molelekwa, Fana
Zulu, Khaya Mahlangu, Themba Mkhize, Vusi Khumalo and Pops Mohamed. He also formed part
of and toured with Tony Cox’s ‘Cool Friction Band’ and worked on a production with Pops
Mohamed, which was showcased, at the “Main”, during the Grahamstown Festival.

In 1997 Sheer Sound released Paul Hanmer’s first solo album ‘Trains to Taung’, featuring the
cream of South Africa’s musicians. ‘Trains to Taung’ features Denis Lalouette, Jethro Shasha,
Louis Mhlanga, Basi Mahlasela, Neil Ettridge and Andre Abrahamse. “Trains to Taung” was
consequently nominated for three FNB awards and continues to sell in considerable numbers
throughout the country.

www.myspace.com/paulhanmer

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GLORIA BOSMAN (South Africa)

Gloria Bosman’s new album, entitled “Nature Dances” is a bold new step for this accomplished
artist. She has in fact funded the recording herself and Sheer Sound licensed this beautiful album
from Bosman Music. Gloria also co-produced the album with Wessel van Rensburg, who was
also her co-composer on many of the songs. The album consists of 7 original tracks and 3 cover
songs. Gloria also wrote 3 of the original tracks herself (Play Me the Love Songs; Dance; Nature
Dances).

The title of the album emerged for a number of reasons. She says it’s about the dance of nature,
from the time the egg is fertilized to the birth of the baby – the dance that happens inside the
mother’s womb. We are all part of this circle. When people fall in love, they dance to their own
tune – the lover’s dance.

Gloria feels that Wessel reached into her soul and found that delicate part of her she never knew
she had. This represent Gloria’s sweetest and softest side – every song sounds like she is
smiling as she sings. Some of Gloria favourite songs on the album include:

Gloria’s drive and talent have also enabled her to break into the Afrikaans music market - she has
developed a relationship with new fans through this interaction. She has appeared at many of the
major Afrikaans music festivals, including KKNK, Aardklop and Skouspel in Sun City. Gloria was
also recently part of a project called “Al Daai Jazz” which was jazzy rearrangements of Afrikaans
songs. She also added a track to the recently released album “The Thula Project: South African
Lullabies”.

www.myspace.com/gloriabosman

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ELEMOTHO (Namibia)

Elemotho G.R Mosimane is a Namibian born musician who composes records and performs his
own music. This artist plays acoustic guitar as well as sings in his mother-tongue Setswana,
English and other Namibian languages. He does not classify his music under a certain style: “I
see myself as a performing artist and musical activist; I like to throw reality around, thus exploring
the depth of the human spirit”. His sound is solid yet transparent, with messages that create a
utopia through music. From solo performances up to playing with his band this artist does it all,
from turning oppression into liberation, failure into triumph, where past, present and future is
delivered through his melodies.

From rural boy to modern lyricist this artist from the Kalahari tries to divorce himself from your
usual commercial and easily consumable sounds by using experimental ideas where reality is
amplified through his vision of music. “I grew up with Story telling around the fire and that has
inspired me to create something that could make you dance as well as listen, smile as well as cry,
find peace as well as wisdom”.

When you listen to Elemotho´s first album “The system is a joke” you get an impression that you
are listening to a musician who has a lot to say. He carries his music with a touch of rhythms from
the Kalahari Desert, mixed with ethnic and global sounds, the calling of the rain combined with
messages for our modern times. Elemotho has been busy the last years, performing from South
Africa to European International music festivals getting his music more solid and tighter than ever.
This musician has had the time to explore new sensations and odours all resulting into “HUMAN”,
the second album coming out by the end of 2008. With songs to move your mind and entice your
spirit he wants to transmit feelings and ideas that challenges the status quo and leave no stone
unturned, from politics to philosophy, spirituality to reality.

www.myspace.com/elemotho
www.elemotho.com

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MUSA MANZINI (South Africa)

Musa Manzini was born at Inanda, north of Durban, South Africa in 1971 from parents
Makhobane and Nomusa Manzini. He then moved to Cape Town in 1986 for high school and
university studies. It was later in his high school days that he first picked up the guitar just as a
hobby, but was hooked to it ever since. "I was faced with having to choose between music as a
full-time career or becoming a lawyer which is the career my parents had carved for me. At one
point, I thought I could be a lawyer who plays the bass".

After high school Musa enrolled at a MAPP institution that was a Swedish and Kagiso Trust
initiative to assist musicians from previously disadvantaged communities of South Africa. This
introduced him to the basic aspects of music theory and improvisation. In 1992-he enrolled at the
University of Cape Town where he completed a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in
composition and arrangement. In 1995, while at UCT, he received the Prof Peter Klatzow Award
for composition and orchestration "It was a big challenge coming from the township and being
introduced to classical music at tertiary level, having to analyse the music of Bach, Chopin,
Mozart, Debussy, Schonberg and other European composers"

After graduation, Musa spent three years as a part-time lecturer at UCT instructing electric and
acoustic basses, jazz theory and improvisation to bridging course students, while at the same
time performing and recording as a session musician around the country with musicians like
Rene" MacLean, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathan Butler, Gavin Minter, Nhlanhla Magagula, Kevin
Gibson, Mark Goliath, Judith Sephuma, Winston Ngozi, Sipho Mabuse, Menyatso Mathole,
Selaelo Selota, Joe McBride, UCT Jazz Orchestra and many other muso"s of that period.

www.myspace.com/musamanzini

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LOUIS MHLANGA (Zimbabwe/South Africa)

Louis was born on the 10th of November 1956 in Harare Zimbabwe. He started playing guitar at
the age of 10. Being completely self taught he mastered the instrument by copying from records
like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and many other
bands that were very influential in the late sixties early seventies. Besides the Western influence
through radio broadcasts Louis investigated and studied the Southern and West African Guitar
tradition intensively. He transferred the traditional Mbira patterns, which are well known all over
Africa into a unique way of playing the guitar in an eclectic, modern way.

During his career Louis has worked and recorded with a number of accomplished and recognized
musicians. He worked with King Sunny Ade in Lagos, Nigeria where Louis also produced some
artists connected to King Sunny Ade. This proved to be a great starting point and a solid base for
his ongoing musical career. More recently he worked with Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Hugh
Masekela, Ray Phiri, Busi Mhlongo, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Jonas Gwangwa, Sibongile
Khumalo and Vusi Mahlasela.

In April 2000 Louis produced Mahlasela’s 4th album and featured on it. Before that in 1999 a live
duo recording with Mahlasela resulted in the album "Vusi and Louis Live at the Bassline". He was
involved with Thandi Klaassen’s album "Two of a kind". This was a project initiated by Dutch
Singer Stef Bos. Bos featured Louis on the album "De Onderstroom" for which he co-wrote the
music of the title-song. Louis is to be found on another album called "Place of Hope" which is
collaborations with George Duke, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Diane Reeves a.m.o. Louis can also
be heard on "Fire in the Engine Room" by Andy Narell, and following their South African tour they
released the album "Live in S.A."

www.myspace.com/louismhlanga

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PHINDA (South Africa)

Acclaimed SAMA award winner PHINDA is back with a resounding album - YITHI PAHA - A
strong follow up to her successful MBHEKA PHESHEYA album and one that confirms her place
as one of South Africa’s most gifted women of song.

This album and artist are formerly sponsored by South Africa’s second biggest radio station
Umhlobo Wene fm who are already playing PHINDA’s new album in earnest and are fully behind
the artist and product. Other radio stations are fast following this trend, with TV and press
showing strong interest (as exemplified in attached articles and confirmed interviews and features
below).

African spiced adult contemporary listening (songs of varying tempos and direction accessible to
any ears), crafted with masterful producer Steve Dyer and renowned and skilful musicians. The
album was furthermore mastered in the USA by Grammy award winning mastering engineer Paul
Blakemore. All of this; but primarily PHINDA’s awesome clear and powerful tone and delivery of
melody and message, ensure a really satisfying, soulful and quality listen for any ears.

An elaborate and intensive marketing plan exposing PHINDA across all media formats; coupled
with a masterpiece of production - a surefire winner!

www.myspace.com/phindamusic

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SAM MTUKUDZI (Zimbabwe)

SUPERSTAR Oliver Mtukudzi’s teenage son Sam has launched his debut album, heralding the
breakthrough into recording by the 19-year-old as an individual project and away from his father’s
towering shadow.

Aptly titled Rume Rimwe, literally meaning "my own man" in Shona, the album reflects Sam’s
vision and concept of life.

"This album separates me as an artiste, from my father who has nurtured and developed me all
these years. It’s like Rume Rimwe says, ‘Hey, I am Sam . . . look at me as Sam, don’t see Oliver
when you look or listen to me or when you judge me . . . see a different man’. That is the whole
concept," says Sam.

"All he (Oliver) can do is to be there for me as a great father. Through this debut album, dad gives
me blessings to be my own man now. And it’s never too soon for anyone in the arts . . . and in life
for that matter to be your own man."

Philosophical in speech and prose while humble but humorous, a rare gift of nature shared by
Sam and his father, the younger Mtukudzi sees his effort as a reflection of his initiation into the
rigors of music and believes he is cut out for the gruelling task ahead — performing, touring and
recording at the same time.

www.reverbnation.com/sammtukudzi

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ALLOU APRIL (South Africa)

Guitarist Allou April got his start over 15 years ago playing with garage bands from the tender age
of 16. After moving from his hometown of Saldanha to Cape Town in the 1970"s, he was
discovered by some of the city"s top gospel bands, and so began his career as one of the most
sought after session musicians in the Mother City. He later moved on to playing in clubs, doing
standards with instrumental jazz bands.

Over the years, Allou has developed his own unique style of guitar playing that reflects the many
eclectic genres within the South African music environment. He has become a significant voice
within South Africa on the contemporary African and jazz music landscape. Allou saysÉ"I find it
important to project my personal passion through the music of Cape Town, Africa and also the
international jazz genre. The time is ripe to share this music with the rest of the global community
by encouraging the meeting of different cultures which adds many more dimensions to the world
of music."

Allou has had the opportunity of collaborating with many outstanding musicians such as Sibongile
Khumalo, Robbie Jansen, Hotep Galeta, Joe McBride and Al Jarreau. Sheer Sound proudly
presents his long-awaited debut album, Bringing Joy. This album reflects on various styles,
including funk, goema, gospel, township contemporary, and R&B, and is a collection of the best
material from compositions he has been putting together for the past 10 years. Allou says of his
music that it "Écovers a wide range of experiences that reflect my roots and place in the new
world." This album features, amongst others, pianist Andile Yenana, trumpeter Marcus Wyatt,
Basi Mahlasela on percussion, Robbie Jansen on saxophones, and R&B songstress TK

www.myspace.com/allouapril

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MOLOKO KGOMO (South Africa)

Moloko Kgomo spent his early years as a herdboy in Ga-Matlala, a few kilometers from
Polokwane in Limpopo. Kgomo unleashes untapped idioms and chord work informed by the Ba-
Pedi culture, which permeates his rural home of Ga-Matlala. While his parents lived in the urban
area of Seshego in Polokwane, he was brought up by his grand parents in rural Ga-Matlala. It
was while herding cattle with other youngsters that they made tin guitars to kill time. They have
indulged enough in hunting, killing snakes and swimming that they turned to music. At the tender
age of 8, he befriended a pupil whose uncle had acoustic guitars, Galaxy amplifiers and self
made drum kit.

Moloko Kgomo decided to form a four piece band together with his former school band mate at
University of Cape Town, Sipho Malinga. The band consisted of him (guitar), Sipho Malinga
(drums) and two session musicians on piano and bass where Moloko Kgomo spent most of 2008
gigging with the band. They named the band Minor Jazz Band and played in the Puisano Jazz
Competition. They impressed the judges and were awarded a few municipal areas within
Johannesburg to play around the townships as part of the Programme. The band went ahead to
impress on a national television programme called Afro Café.

Moloko Kgomo has performed in various gigs including the “SABC 2 Family of the Year” at Zoo
Lake, Bassline, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival and the Wake Up Fest where he shared the
stage with Cassette, Uju, Gang of Instrumental and Steadyrock!. As a session musician he
played alongside Tlale Makhene, Bernice Boikanyo, Sello Montwedi and also worked with Khaya
Mahlangu, Jay Hlongwane, Khaya, Kwela Tebza, Afro Tenors, Sandile Siqubu and the late
Moses Khumalo among others. In 2006 Moloko Kgomo played in a musical play called “Guga
Mzimba” directed by Xoli Norman. There he performed alongside Tshepo Mngoma and Jesse
Mogale. In June 2008 Moloko Kgomo was part of the musical play "Get Down" directed by the
veteran Director Paul Rapetsoe. Among top musicians there was the bassist, Mandla Zikalala.
The same year in September he played in another musical play called "African Queen". This time
he was working with flutist Kelly Petlane, vocalist Labella with Tshepo Mngoma as the music
director.

www.myspace.com/mrmolokokgomo
www.facebook.com/people/Moloko-Kgomo/1158543112

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RETHABILE BRASS BAND (South Africa)

Rethabile Brass Band was established in June 1989 by a dedicated community of
artists from Mamelodi, with the aim of researching music that will suit the community.
The name Rethabile is Sotho meaning “We are happy”. The band is happy to come
together, hoping to bring happiness into their community - hence the adoption of the
name.

Rethabile Brass Band presents an independent way of playing music, which is
African rooted and blended with Western concepts. The aim was to bring new
creative music to their community, but has since evolved into bringing their own
creativity to a broader spectrum of appreciative South Africans. The Rethabile Brass
Band do not restrict themselves to on stage performances, and are more frequently
requested to perform while moving through the audience. It is truly inspiring to see
the response of the people they pass during their procession, many of whom get up
to follow the band, dancing and clapping. The band has a unique way of interacting
with the crowd, and always stirs up the happiness and fun bubbling underneath the
surface at any event. A true South African gem with an experience of togetherness
that frees inhibitions.

Since the band’s formation, they have performed at numerous events in South Africa.
The band started performing at weddings, parties, funerals and a number of jazz
festivals. Amongst these shows were stadium performances for Mamelodi Sundown
Football Club and the South African Music Promoters’ Association (SAMPA) together
with Alexandra Brass Band. Rethabile have performed with the gospel icon Solly
Moholo at rally’s marching against Women and Child abuse in Nelspruit and were
also involved with recordings for the Solly Moholo Brass Band.

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Vusi Mahlasela's new album continues to draw rave reviews

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