|
Freshlyground
Articles, Stories, Reports, from the web:
Last updated 15 07 11
Freshlyground
Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band
that formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members
variously hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and
Zimbabwe. Freshlyground's musical style blends
elements of traditional South African music (such as
kwela and African folk music), blues, jazz, and
features of indie rock.
Band members
Zolani Mahola – lead vocalist
Simon Attwell – flautist (also player of the mbira,
saxophone and the harmonica)
Peter Cohen – drummer
Kyla Rose Smith – violinist, backing vocalist
Julio "Gugs" Sigauque – lead guitar (steel-string
acoustic guitar)
Josh Hawks – bassist, backing vocalist
Seredeal "Shaggy" Scheepers – keyboardist,
percussionist, backing vocalist
Freshlyground
Jika Jika (2003)
Freshlyground released their debut album, Jika Jika,
in early 2003. The commercial success of this album
ultimately kick-started their career and re-affirmed
their reputation as a fresh and vibrant young face
in South African music. The much-needed exposure
from the album resulted in an invitation for the
band to perform at both the Harare International
Festival of the Arts and the Robben Island African
Festival.
[edit] Nomvula (2004-2006)
Early in 2004, Freshlyground participated in the
opening of Parliament of South Africa by performing
before President Thabo Mbeki in an event organised
as a celebration of ten years of democracy in South
Africa.
At the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA),
Freshlyground performed with Zimbabwean musician
Oliver Mtukudzi.
The band went on to perform alongside local legend
Miriam Makeba, as well as Stanley Clarke and Femi
Kuti at the North Sea Jazz Festival, held during
April in Cape Town. July also marked a break from
the recording studio for the band, who had been
working hard on their then unreleased album Nomvula.
The band took this time to perform at the Villa
Celimontana Festival in Rome, Italy.
Finally, in late 2004, Freshlyground released their
very successful album, Nomvula. Although the uptake
of the album was initially slow, it eventually went
on to achieve double platinum status locally.
Initial success was largely due to the catchy,
feel-good, lyrics of Doo Be Doo, which enjoyed
significant play on local radio, it also covered in
Indonesian by singer Gita Gutawa. Follow-up hits
included I'd like and the signature track Nomvula,
the former achieving unprecedented success on radio
charts such as the 5FM Top 40, where it remained at
No. 1 for several weeks.[1]
[edit] Ma' Cheri (2007)
The album Ma' Cheri was released on September 3,
2007. The album again was produced by JB Arthur and
Victor Masondo, and was recorded in Cape Town. The
first single is called Potbelly followed by Fired Up
and Desire.
[edit] Radio Africa (2010)
Freshlyground
Freshlyground's latest album Radio Africa was
released in May 2010. For which they released a
collaborative music video with the zanews
puppeteers. A satire about Robert Mugabe which has
received coverage in the British media.
[edit] Cape Town Stadium Soccer Festival
On the 23 January 2010, Freshlyground performed at
the official inauguration game at the new Cape Town
Stadium, where local Cape Town football clubs Ajax
Cape Town and Santos played each other in a match
decided on penalties.
[edit] 2010 FIFA World Cup
A song by Colombian pop star Shakira and
Freshlyground was the official anthem of the 2010
FIFA World Cup. The song, titled "Waka Waka (This
Time for Africa)", is based on "Zangalewa", a
popular Makossa African soldiers' song by Golden
Sounds. "Zangalewa" was a hit single in Colombia in
1987. Shakira and Freshlyground performed the song
at the pre-tournament kick-off concert in Soweto on
10 June.
The following July, the band also took part in the
official handing-over ceremony.[2], due to take
place in South Africa.
[edit] Honours
In 2005, Freshlyground was nominated for three South
African Music Awards for their 2004 album, Nomvula.
Although they won no SAMAs that year, in 2008 the
Recording Industry of South Africa awarded them the
coveted Best Duo or Group SAMA. In the same year,
their 2007 album Ma' Cheri won the prestigious Album
of the Year SAMA, as well as Best Adult Contemporary
Album: English, and Best Engineer.
At the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen,
Freshlyground became the first South African musical
act to receive honours from MTV, when they received
the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.
At the 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards, the band
received the "Best Africa, Southern" accolade for
their single "Pot Belly".[3]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Jika Jika (2003)
"Train Love" (4:12)
"Ocean Floor" (3:15)
"Rain" (5:07)
"Castles In The Sky" (3:20)
"Feels Like Sunday" (3:40)
"Mbira No. 2" (2:18)
"Zipho Phezulu" (3:06)
"Mali" (4:07)
"Castles In The Sky" (3:36)
"Mowbray Kaap" (6:04)
"Nomvula" (7:27)
[edit] Nomvula (2004)
"I am the man" (4:57)
"Nomvula" (4:46)
"Manyana" (5:13)
"Vanish" (5:20)
"Zithande" (4:40)
"I'd like" (6:25)
"Doo Be Doo" (5:14)
"Things Have Changed" (4:17)
"Buttercup" (5:37)
"Human Angels" (6:25)
"Father Please" (4:03)
"Mowbray Kaap" (6:03)
"Touch In The Night" (2:44)
"Doo Be Doo (Remix)" (European bonus track)
[edit] Ma' Cheri (2007)
"Ma' Cheri"
"Desire"
"Pot Belly"
"Ask Me"
"Baby Tonight"
"Fired Up"
"Go Gorilla"
"Arms of Steel"
"Pink Confetti"
"Zulu Lounge"
"Ivana"
"uMalume"
"Crimeson Smile"
"Manikiniki"
"Air Hostess" (bonus track)
[edit] Radio Africa (2010)
"Moto"
"Fire Is Low"
"The Dream of Love"
"Big Man feat. Les Nubians"
"Baba"
"Baby In Silence"
"Would You Mind"
"Vula Amehlo"
"Chicken to Change"
"Working Class"
"Whaliphalal'igazi"
Freshlyground
Freshlyground formed in early 2002, and is made up
of seven talented and diverse musicians from South
Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Fronted by the
diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band
exudes a live performance energy that has been the
bedrock of their success. The experienced rhythm
section of Peter Cohen (drums) & Josh Hawks (bass)
is complimented by guitarist Julio Sigauque,
keyboardist Seredeal Scheepers, Simon Attwell
(flute, mbira, sax and harmonica) and violinist Kyla
Rose Smith. Although hailing from diverse
backgrounds, between them the band�s members weave a
musical magic that is highly infectious and
undeniably groovy.
In 2003 Freshlyground launched their debut album,
Jika Jika under their own Freeground Records label,
the immediate success of which firmly cemented the
band as one of South Africa�s most successful young
acts.
Freshlyground released their second studio album
Nomvula in July 2004. Nomvula was recorded and
produced by JB Arthur and Sibusiso Victor Masondo.
The album sparked interest from Sony BMG Africa, who
signed the band and released Nomvula in September
that year. Radio quickly picked up on the single
�Doo Be Doo� and the catchy song went on to become a
crossover favorite amongst a diverse spread of
stations and their listeners. �Doo Be Doo� was the
most played song in South Africa in 2005. The major
success of �Doo Be Doo� was followed by the singles
�I�d Like�, �Zithande�, �Things Have Changed� and
the title track of the album Nomvula.
he album sold 300 000 units in South Africa alone-
earning it multi-platinum status. The success and
broad appeal of the band was celebrated in November
2006 when Freshlyground won the MTV Europe Award in
the category Best African Act. The award placed the
band firmly on the international music map and
earned them further recognition on home soil as
significant South African cultural exports.
The success of Nomvula was followed by Ma Cheri -
Freshlyground�s third studio album, released in
September 2007. The album�s release was followed by
a major South African tour attended by over 25 000
people across four cities. The tour was produced by
Freshlyground and supported by Volkswagen South
Africa. The tour successfully raised the performance
and production standards of local touring, putting
the band on par with international acts in terms of
production scale and value. Ma Cheri has sold 80 000
units to date in South Africa and the single Pot
Belly is another major crossover success, and is
play listed on all South African radio stations.
Five years on Freshlyground are a still a sensation.
In South Africa audiences of every race cram in to
see them. Old people get up and dance. Hip black
teenagers sing to their lyrics. White kids emulate
their moves. The very presence of this band in South
Africa is a promise for a harmonious future. But
they don�t sit still for the picture.
Freshlyground are currently in studio working their
fourth studio album due for release late 2009, as
well as preparing for their 25th European tour in
May, making the band one of a handful of South
African acts to have a successful and sustainable
career both internationally and at home. Expect them
to draw crowds as they go. Bridge historical
divides. Defy musical stereotypes. That�s what they�ve
done all along. And it�s about time an Afro-pop band
brings some of Africa�s magical music to the
Freshlyground
RELEASES:
� JIKA JIKA, released by Freeground Records, 2003
� NOMVULA, released by Freeground Records / Sony
BMG, 2004
� MA CHERI, released by Freeground Records / Sony
BMG, 2007
� LIVE DVD, released by Freeground Records / Sony
BMG, 2008
� JIKA JIKA, re mastered and re mixed, released by
Freeground Records and distributed by Sony BMG, 2008
|
|
|
