Lil Wayne. SP-33. Escape From Tha Carter.

Meet Ezra Funkhouser, a Chicago electronic musician who goes by the name go SP-33. He sent me a project of his awhile and ago and I’ve been holding on to it.  The record is called “Escape From Tha Carter”.  It is a project that involves remixing Lil’ Wayne’s tracks using the “Escape From New York”  score as the sampling music.  Ezra explains, ‘I am hesitant to call it a mash-up because it isn’t just a mix of “track A” with “track B”.   Instead, I totally deconstruct both the Wayne lyrics and the “Escape From New York” tracks.  Then I reconstruct them to make something completely new. ‘

He continues, ‘this project came about because, for whatever reason, I was listening to a lot of Lil’ Wayne and watching a lot of grimmey and dark sci-fi flicks (Blade Runner, Escape from New York, Tetsuo The Iron Man, Metropolis).  While watching these films I wondered what the pop music on the radio stations would sound like.  So I embarked on creating dark, distorted, and grimmey pop/hip-hop music.  Much like “Escape from New York” and “Blade Runner” the music is muggy and dense and surrounds the audience in a dystopic and unstable environment.’

I simply cannot get enough. Lil Wayne has never sounded so different. Or so good. And yes, you guessed it, you can download ‘Escape From Tha Carter’ for free. You’re welcome!

Hennessy & Soul Candi present international acts, The Layabouts and Reel People.

Hennessy Remixed by Soul Candi, collaboration between luxury cognac brand Hennessy and top house label Soul Candi Records will be unleashing UK house sensations, The Layabouts and Reel People in SA. Kicking off on 26 April, a series of exclusive club tours will combine smooth beats and soulful instrumentals, accompanied by the perfect blend of eaux-de-vie within each Hennessy drink. Local acts include Soul Candi heavyweights Lulo Café, DJ China and the record label’s latest offering, Mi Casa.

The Layabouts’ work has featured on no less than seven Soul Candi chart topping compilations thus far. Comprising of DJs Leigh Darlow and Alex Paschali and with over eight years of experience, The Layabouts have worked with renowned international acts including Roland Clarke & Classic 7 as well as Stephanie Mills.

Local audiences will recognise the duo for their hit singles “Thank you”, “So Addictive” and the popular remixes of “Tea” by Chocklate, Beneditto’s “Perfectly” and another Stephanie Mills classic “Free”.

Reel People is made up principally of producer/DJ Oli Lazarus and multi-instrumentalist Mike Patto.  They offer strong instrumentation and melodic gems, alongside a series of carefully selected guest vocalists. Their recent hit “Sure” featuring US based artist, Darien on vocals was included on the Soul Candi “For the DJs 19” and “Music Box 5” compilations.
New kid to the Soul Candi stable, Mi Casa, brings a soulful sound which incorporates J-Something on vocals and guitar, Mo-T the trumpeter and producer/ club DJ Dr Duda.

 Hennessy Remixed by Soul Candi will be touring East London, Soweto, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town over the month of April. For more information about Hennessy Remixed by Soul Candi event dates and local and international artists, visit www.hennessy.com, pre-sold tickets available at www.soulcandi.co.za.

HAEZER ‘It’s Not Our Fault’ EP Launch. 26 April 2011. Cape Town City Hall.

GRIET and HAEZER have joined forces to create a new Cape Town party by the name of GO!GO! These parties will be held four to six times a year with cross genre dance line-ups and always in an interesting place – never a club! Experience Cape Town like you have never seen it before! GRIET is a Cape Town and Pretoria based events and artists agency. Best known for their Joberg and Pretoria “DOGBOX” parties which have hosted the likes of Cyberpunkers (Italy), Saint Pauli (Germany), Le Castle Vania (USA) and Dj Antention (Russia). More recently, GRIET in collaboration with RAMFEST brought you the Electro Pyramid stage with Tom Deluxx (France) and HAEZER.

On Tuesday, the 26th of April, Cape Town will see the launch of GO!GO! at the City Hall, which will present to you the HAEZER ‘It’s Not Our Fault’ EP Launch. The launch will feature HAEZER with special guests Francois van Coke and Inge Beckmann, and the line-up includes the likes of Toby2Shoes, BTEAM, Mr Sakitumi and Hyphen. The first 300 people through the door will be receiving a free ‘It’s Not Our Fault’ EP, sponsored by Puma and brought to you by GRIET and Mahtrasher Records (Germany). Doors open at 21h00 and it will set you back R60.

Are you ready for a party like no other?

Music Alliance Pact. MAP. April 2011.

The Music Alliance Pact – MAP – is whereby over 35 bloggers from around the world share a song by an artist from their country that they think should be heard. To download all 36 songs in one file click here.

I have been following Battle Beyond The Stars for three years now and finally I have the privilege of featuring him on the Music Alliance Pact or MAP as it is affectionately known. This month I have a double whammy for you. The Desert – as featured below and ‘Drifters Theme’.  A song you simply have to have. You can download that here. As for the rest, take your pick and enjoy!

SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Battle Beyond The Stars– The Desert
Philip Kramer, aka Battle Beyond The Stars, is a Cape Town-based DJ and producer. He is best known for his unique blend of electro, French house and unusual tracks that no DJ in their right mind would play in public. He recently released an EP entitled Memory which gave his awaiting fans a concrete collection of songs. With his new offering The Desert, he injects his signature sound to create a shimmering, synth-infused song that shows off his immense talent with its subtly.

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Violeta Castillo – La Batalla Del Movimiento
Violeta is a young and promising singer-songwriter from Buenos Aires who just released her first recordings in the form of two EPs, Uno and Otro. La Batalla Del Movimiento is a sweet pop ballad with great arrangements, thanks to her collaboration with a great band called Monoambiente. You can listen to both EPs and buy the MP3s from her Bandcamp page.

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Khancoban – Until It Takes You Over
Sure there are big drums and meandering atmospherics that do tab out a few pages of Neon Bible, but Khancoban manage to verge on ‘epic’ without coming out too overtly pomp. For what it lacks in lyrical diversity, it makes up for in delivery – a steady build that abruptly cuts off after only three minutes. New album Arches Over The Sun drops in July. Until then, this one will be a good excuse to wake up early and mull over my cereal to.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Luísa Maita – Lero-Lero
Lero-Lero is the minimalist samba that opens the debut album from singer Luísa Maita. It’s a song that calmly grows, almost without you noticing – her soft voice takes you to a special place in your head and suddenly you’re just dancing and singing along with her. This track is also available for free download on Bandcamp.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Dora Alexander – Travelers
Yes, Dora Alexander sound just like a version of Radiohead that ceased to exist somewhere between The Bends and OK Computer. But you know what? It’s been about a decade and a half since then, so it’s probably safe for someone else to claim that sound. And, as Travelers – both this song and their debut EP of the same name – demonstrates, Dora Alexander are ready to pick up that mantle. Here’s hoping they stick with it a little longer than the originators.

CHILE: Super 45
DeMentira – Post-Tbc
Ariel Altamirano, the DJ and producer better known as DeMentira, is the founder of Chilean netlabel Discos Pegaos, specializing in electronic music and abstract beats. The label was responsible for debut albums by Vaskular and Motivado as well the release of Chinpancé EP, first solo effort from DeMentira since his introduction as producer and rapper for the trio Iris in 2006. Post-Tbc is the first single from Chinpancé EP where we find mysterious beats, not dissimilar to dubstep, as well the experimental nature of the wonky sound.

CHINA: Wooozy
Friend Or Foe – Snorting Clorox
Friend Or Foe are a secretive, occasionally masked rock trio who have been tearing up the Shanghai scene lately with their brand of fun-filled, balls-out rock. Preferring to keep their identities a secret, the band promulgate the myth that they are in fact three illegitimate demons, raised in Heaven: guitarist and vocalist Rabshakeh and often topless drummer Mahanehdan are joined by bassist Bill.

COLOMBIA: Colombia Urbana
Jiggy Drama – Me Vale
Jiggy Drama is a musical phenomenon in Latin America. His ‘Nerdside’ style has the total attention of radio stations and nightclubs, generating an internet boom with his urban alternative music. His most recent single, Me Vale, is a Cumbia fusion with some Caribbean sounds.

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
Frederik Teige – You Always Tried To Pull Us Down
He’s been touring with Efterklang since 2007, but thankfully singer, songwriter and guitarist Frederik Teige has also found time to write and record material of his own. The climax so far is his self-released full-length debut Body God – nine songs worth of awesome alternative pop – which you can get for as much as you feel like paying (free is even an option) on Bandcamp.

ENGLAND: The Guardian Music Blog
Holy Other – Touch
A nameless character who works variously in Berlin, Gothenburg and Manchester, Holy Other is a British musician who, like his US counterpart How To Dress Well, has a penchant for taking contemporary R&B and draining it of all passion and all its sexual signifiers. What you’re left with is music like Touch: slow, drifting electronica, marked by glitches, with an almost church-like atmosphere that has led some to describe it as “ambient goth”, an affecting mix of spectral sonics and ghostly vocals, as un-earthy as it is unearthly.

ESTONIA: Popop
Mimicry – Godspeed
Aggressive and arrogant, otherworldly and expressive, Mimicry fuses electroclash with psychedelic techno, ethnic beats and garage rock. Their aim: to produce perfectly mindblowing party music and provoke emotions never felt before.

FINLAND: Glue
NT’s White Trash – Whistle
The most recognizable Brit in Finnish indie, Nick Triani, put together NT’s White Trash with the aim of making some noise, which is captured in the band’s debut Mourning Becomes Electric due in May. Whistle is a catchy two-and-a-half minute guitar-pop song, with an uplifting… well, whistling. It is a smooth exception on an album that promises some edgier sounds.

FRANCE: Yet You’re Fired
Thomas Kieffer – Summertime
Thomas Kieffer is a talented songwriter, offspring of the Strasbourg rock scene. At 15 years old, he was hugely impressed by bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple and started playing in different bands. Today, at 35, his resumé is very impressive: he has opened for legendary artists such as Canned Heat, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Gary Moore, NOFX and Scorpions. He started a solo career two years ago, giving up on hard rock and metal, and should succeed with it and his album Beautiful Hands.

GERMANY: Blogpartei
Joasihno – Von
Joasihno’s songs benefit a lot from his percussionist skills and his open-mindedness for playful but cautious arrangements. His wanderlust is almost tangible as he sings, although he is deeply rooted in Bavaria. Von is taken from his forthcoming debut We Say: Oh Well which is being released on Kyr Records.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
2L8 – Don’t Follow Me
2L8’s music lurches deftly between emotional intimacy, ambition and experimentation. Their two well-received previous releases (download them for free here) proved they are one of the most creative and compelling acts in the musical underground. They are running a campaign on Pledge Music to help them unleash their forthcoming double album, New Battles, Without Honor And Humanity. The magnificent Don’t Follow Me, a Music Alliance Pact exclusive, drips with melancholy. It blends warmth and brooding, existential contemplation with a repetitive but mesmerizing acoustic guitar melody full of subtlety and distinct sonic accents, and swims in gorgeous sheets of trembling, passionate vocals.

ICELAND: Icelandic Music Maffia
Skálmöld – Kvaðning
Skálmöld is a metal band formed in August 2009. The six members had been formerly active in other bands, not all metal. Their music can be described as powerful, melodic and epic Viking metal, along with various folk influences. The lyrics follow the strict rules of traditional Icelandic poetry. Kvaðning is featured on last year’s debut record Baldur, a concept album telling the epic and dramatic tale of the viking Baldur.

INDIA: Indiecision
Pentagram – Tomorrow’s Decided
Pentagram is one of India’s biggest acts. The band has been around for the better part of the past two decades, creating music that’s always been a contemporary, cutting edge reflection of the generation it is part of. The band recently released its fourth studio album Bloodywood, arguably its most evolved work yet. Tomorrow’s Decided uses a traditional, folk-based drum beat and surrounds it with quintessential, soaring Pentagram electro-rock goodness to create four of the most intensely exciting minutes you’re going to have today.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Gugun Blues Shelter – White Dog
Gugun Blues Shelter is probably one of Indonesia’s best exports, with recognition from the blues community in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. The band have played at international events such as the Belfast Big River Blues and Jazz Festival and Great British R&B Festival. And no big festival in Indonesia would be complete without them.

IRELAND: Nialler9
SertOne – Past Present Future
Reminscent of RJD2, J Dilla and all those fine beat maestros that no doubt inspired him, Liverpool via Portadown’s SertOne aka 21-year-old Gareth McAlinden is certainly a producer to watch. This tune contains a unique Belfast sample, twisted brass and a head-nodding beat that makes you sit up and take notice. You can find it on the recent seven-track The View From Above EP through Melted Music.

ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Gevolt – Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn
Yiddish metal pioneers Gevolt took this 1932 Yiddish musical track (that incidentally was a big hit in Nazi Germany until they figured out it was Yiddish) and made glorious metal out of it. Their sound resembles a happy-go-lucky Rammstein/Linkin Park hybrid with violins. But since a lot of their songs are versions of the old ones my grandmothers sing, they have an unmatched nostalgic beauty. Download their second album Alef Base for free while you still can at their site.

ITALY: Polaroid
Love Boat – You Know I Really Want You
These guys from Sardinia are probably more known around Europe than in Italy. That’s how bad this country has gotten. Anyway, they have a new album on the German label Alien Snatch and a 7″ EP on Shit Music For Shit People. This song comes from the latter’s B-side. Grab everything and start to dance a wild garage party – this is good rock ‘n’ roll.

MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Toy Selectah – No Pasma feat. Isa GT
In the last decade, Cumbia has become the ‘lingua franca’ to fill Latin-oriented dancefloors worldwide. Its saucy rhythms and nasty grooves easily adapt to many other musical forms: from techno to reggae, passing through favela-funk or dubstep. With a career spanning 15 years (and dreadlocks nearly that long), Toy Selectah has earned respect as a Cumbia-lord, trading the genre and cross-pollinating it with his constant travels and after-hours gigs. His Mex Machine EP out on Diplo’s Mad Decent label is an infectious state of affairs. On No Pasma, the Colombia-born, London-dwelling singer Isa GT throws some cocksure chants on a perfect groundshaking Cumbia.

NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Death Letters – Your Heart Is Upside Down
It’s nice to see a bit of international buzz building for a young Dutch band. This duo aren’t even legal to enjoy a good piss-up in Texas, which is where they headed last year to record an album with Chris ‘Frenchie’ Smith (Jet, The Dandy Warhols, Smog) and where they returned to for SXSW last month. The resulting album, Post-Historic, isn’t the band’s first effort but it’s markedly different from their self-titled debut. Here they leave behind their original blues-rock trappings and fire through Glassjaw post-hardcore, Biffy Clyro post-grunge and …Trail Of Dead post-rock ‘n’ roll. That may be a lot of ‘posts’ but they make an incredibly energetic yet refined racket on stage.

NEW ZEALAND: Einstein Music Journal
Ghost Wave – Sunsetter
Ghost Wave hits you like a motorik wall of noise, with its hypnotic waves of reverb guitar, mechanical drums and atmospherics. Matt Paul’s project started after his solo electronic act Street Beat gave way to this united front, with drummer Eammon Logan, guitarist Rikki Sutton and bassist Alex Grant. Live they’re enigmatic with tightly wound, ravaged Clean-style hooks and perfectly warped pop songs. Their debut EP was released earlier this month on Arch Hill.

NORWAY: Birds Sometimes Dance
Beatbully – Bølleboogie
Beatbully is an offspring of the Norwegian skweee label Dødpop. Skweee is a genre of Nordic heritage, based on classic hip hop beats with heavy influence of modern electronica. Although mainly composed for a live audience, Beatbully invites skweee to your living room as well. This winter, he released Kosmisk Regn (“Cosmic Rain”), the first solo album in Dødpop’s history. Bølleboogie has an irresistible beat that leaves no one behind on the dancefloor, and the juicy melody won’t release you till its over. It’s a three-minute piece of bliss that will make even your grandmother dance.

PERU: SoTB
Kuraka – Fuego Negro
Kuraka is a rock group that spawned from the collaboration of renowned musicians of local bands such as Emergency Blanket, Zen, M.A.S.A.C.R.E. and Inyectores. The diversity of styles seemed an obstacle to assemble their ideas, but the bonds of friendship led to them making something interesting. In 2009, they released a few singles that whetted the appetite for their debut album Fuego Negro, which came out in August 2010 on Mundane Records. Take a listen to the great song that gives the album its name.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
They’re Heading West – My Case Is A Different One
They’re Heading West are three singers/composers (João Correia, Francisca Cortesão, Mariana Ricardo) and a drummer (Sérgio Nascimento) who decided to get together and play songs from their bands and solo projects. They only have one set of songs, recorded live at a national radio station, which is not yet available commercially. The song featured this month is, therefore, a MAP exclusive as a free download.

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Parachute Pulse – Hopscptch
Parachute Pulse is the brand new project of Ana Roman. Her debut album, Kingdom, is a collection of cinematic sounds, moods and emotions. The album is available for free download on her label’s page, Asiluum. Hopscptch is a collaboration with Res Es of Semiosis, who were featured in the Music Alliance Pact back in May 2009.

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Sebastian Dangerfield – You Played Your Part, Singer!
Sebastian Dangerfield are a four-piece from Edinburgh who are little-known even in their home city. But that shouldn’t be the case for much longer if the band continue to show such an accomplished grasp of Americana-tinged folk-rock amplified with a healthy dose of scuzzy-pop zest and various stringed instruments. The wonderfully-named You Played Your Part, Singer! is taken from their new EP, The Sound Of The Old Machines, which you can find on Bandcamp.

SINGAPORE: I’m Waking Up To…
DJ Koflow – Make Your Hands Clap, Toes Clap
DJ Koflow is one of Singapore’s most celebrated DJs. His claim to fame started when he won the national DMC Championship in 2003, and he continued to skyrocket by receiving many honourable mentions in local and international media. He dropped his debut album The Turntable Instrumentalist despite a heavy production and performance schedule, with the record speaking volumes of his myriad influences. Jazz, hip hop, funk and soul all seamlessly flow together in the hands of one of the country’s brightest mix masters.

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Neon Bunny – Long-D
Yoojin Lim is the sole member of Neon Bunny, who debuted with an album called Seoulight in late March. Having been a session keyboardist for successful power-pop act The Black Skirts – the very first South Korean MAP contribution – her own sound is on the electro side, influenced by Ladyhawke and Phoenix. Long-D is a semi-catchy track with something of a retro sound.

SPAIN: Musikorner
Disco Las Palmeras! – La Casa Cuartel
Disco Las Palmeras! are a three-piece band from Galicia, hometown of related acts such as Franc3s, Mequetrefe or Triángulo de Amor Bizarro and cradle of the new Spanish noise wave. La Casa Cuartel opens their debut album, Nihil Obstat, released earlier this year. The song is about a terrorist strike on a police station and features hypnotic drums and suffocating guitar riffs that recall exactly the same feelings the lyrics talk about: fear and anxiety.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Summer Heart – Please Stay
It’s almost spring which means summer is still a while away. But we can dream, can’t we? That’s where this song from Malmö-based band Summer Heart comes in. It’s called Please Stay, but with its Beach Boys harmonies, groovy beat and summer feeling, it may as well be the band’s coup d’état.

SWITZERLAND: 78s
Pamela Méndez – Bubble Bubble
Bubble Bubble is the first single from Pamela Ménedez’s critically-acclaimed debut album I Will Be Loved, released in February. The Bern resident, whose father is Mexican, belongs to a new breed of female singer-songwriters popping up in nearly every Swiss town. Heidi Happy, Sophie Hunger, Lena Fennell and Lea Lu are others to check out.

UNITED STATES: I Guess I’m Floating
Supreme Cuts – Amnesia
Chicago’s Supreme Cuts describe their sound as “future R&B” – a perfect name for the sample and bass-heavy slow grooves they weave into their songs. Amnesia is perhaps their most supreme cut, a ridiculously addictive head trip that could soundtrack a nightclub as easily as it could an R Kelly video from the 90s.

VENEZUELA: Música y Más
Unos Infames – Pagando Es Que Se Puede
You could say that Unos Infames is just another rock band. But no. To hear and see them live you will realize that their strength on stage belongs to a mega band. Unos Infames, who formed in Barcelona, Anzoátegui, is made up of experienced musicians who fuse some blues influences with controversial lyrics. They are currently recording their debut album.

Civil Twilight. Soldier.

My favourite trio hailing from Cape Town have a treat for you. Naturally I’m talking about Civil Twilight’s new single for Soldier. Wait, don’t know Civil Twilight? Think the  best in alternative rock and impassioned vocals. Oh and their songs have  been featured on One Tree Hill and House to name a few prime time shows.

‘Soldier’ is one of my favourite song’s off their their latest album and encapsulates their sound. It’s an album I advise you get your hands on, that is if you don’t have it already.

Oh and if you haven’t heard their cover of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ I suggest you change that.

xx

yours in musical madness

South African Music Awards (SAMA) 2011 Nominees Announced.

With a lengthy judging and auditing process due to the record-breaking amounts of entries received from albums released over the past year, the results brought celebration to the SA recording industry once again.

The premium glitzy venues La Toscana and Beira Alta Restaurant in Montecasino played host to this years star-studded annual industry party that kicks off the MTN SAMA17 celebrations. A glamorous yellow carpet celebrity affair, the party saw the cream of South African music stars, celebrities, recording industry executives and top media from across the country celebrate the news in style.

The Annual MTN South African Music Awards Nominees party has traditionally been known as the most exclusive party in the music industry and this year was no exception. The top releasing artists of 2010 were all present to witness their names being announced to be part of the African continents largest musical award show.

Update: Find the list of winner’s of the MTN South African Music here.

The nominees for the 17th Annual MTN South African Music Awards are:

Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary African DVD

Benjamin Dube – Worship In His Presence with Benjamin Dube

Dorothy Masuku and Friends – Live at Mandela Theatre

Stimela – Live In Concert: 30 years

Uche – Live At Lyric Theatre

Worship House – Project 7 It Is Well With My Soul

Best Urban DVD

Nhlanhla Nciza – Live At The Joy Of Jazz

Teargas 101 – Teargas 101 Live

Thandiswa – Dance Of The Forgotten Free

Best Global Chart DVD

Locnville – Sun In My Pocket: Platinum Edition

Nadine – Live In Europe

Nataniël – Cathedral

Nianell – Sand & Water – Live & More

The Parlotones – Live Design

Best Afrikaans DVD

Lize Beekman – Ek Was Al Daar

Romanz – Treffers Live

Rudi En Corlea – Ons Lieflinge/Our Darlings In Konsert

Wian Vos – Geseënde Van God

Wicus Van Der Merwe – Spietkop Live

Best Jazz/Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD

Helena Hettema – Alive

Marcus Wyatt Language 12 – Live at House of Nsako – Sept 2008

Nibs Van Der Spuy – Live at the Vagabond Cafe

Sterling EQ – Live in concert at the Artscape Opera House, Cape Town

Best Multi – Artist Live DVD

Dr. Victor & The Rasta Rebels – Live in Concert

Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010 – Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010

Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010 Plus – Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010 Plus

Songs and Psalms – Live Kwa-Mashu

Best Music Video of the Year

Freshlyground – Chicken To Change

Nomfusi – Nontsokolo

Teargas – Goodfellaz

The Parlotones – The Stars Fall Down

The Parlotones – Life Design

Best Producer

Danny K – Across the Line

DJ Kent – I Can’t Survive

Goldfish – Get Busy Living

Leanne – The Journey

Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde

Best Engineer

CrashCarBurn – Long Live Tonight

Freshlyground – Radio Africa

Jax Panik – I am Jax Panik

Joe Niemand – Love

Stimela – A Life Time

Remix Of The Year

Danny K – Made To Love You

Flash Republic – In The Name Of Dance (Roger Goode & Tinky’s Electro Boogie Mix)

Louise Carver – These Days (Ryan Dent Mix)

Nothende – Got to Go

Stimela – Turn On The Sun

Best Album Packaging

Die See – Die See

Nomsa Mazwai – Nomisupa

Prankster – Lay Me Down

Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde

Versus The Wolf – Uncovering Faces

Best Afrikaans Traditional Music Album

Die Teelepeltjies – Speel Boere-Country

Hennie de Bruyn en die Kitaarkerels – Die Kitare Praat

Manie Bodenstein – Iets Ouds, Iets Nuuts

Mooiplaas Boereorkes – Boere – Lekkerkry

Theo Erasmus – Classics Gaan Sakkie Sakkie

Best South Sotho Music (SeSotho) Album

Ea Ha Makopela Nyamatsana No.4 – Ke llela Khutso

Morusu – Morusu Vol. 2

Motseki – Motseki ka Ferene kulo (Lejoe)

Tsepo Maliela – Ke Tla Loana

Best Tsonga Music (XiTsonga) Album

G.T. The Junior Chauke – Movha

George Maluleke – Byela Kgokolo

Mhan Flow – Xibombi No.1.

Mr. Jambatani Nwa Mapfotlosela Vol. 5 – Bomba Muchangana

Thomas Chauke – Shimatsatsa No.30

Best Venda Music (TshiVenda) Album

Ndivhaleni Mundalamo – Ri Funane

Sankambe – Vhadededzi Vha Milingoni

Zozo Sangere Super Beat – Tshelede

Best Mbhaqanga Album

Impumelelo – Isihlakaniphi

Soul Brothers – Thul’ Ubheke

Themba Ngwenya – Thel’umoya

Best Maskandi Album

Bhekumuzi Luthuli – Imali Yabelungu

Ichwane Lebhaca – Omama Bengani

Ihashi Elimhlophe – Isililo

Mfiliseni Magubane – Iqhalaqhala

Thokozani Langa – Sthanda Ifamily

Best Popular Classical Album

Inette Swart – Chopin Plus

Ockie Vermeulen – Arena

Peter Martens & Luis Magalhães – Beethoven Cello Sonatas

Tygerberg Children’s Choir – Champions In Song

Zanta Hofmeyr – Cantilena

Best Instrumental Album

CT Tango Ensemble –Tango Club

Greg Georgiades, Steve Newman, Ashish Joshi – In The Clouds

Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra – The Boundless Music Of The Soul Brothers

Sterling EQ – Sterling Speel Afrikaans

Wouter Kellerman – Two Voices

Best Traditional Jazz Album

Kesivan & The Lights – Instigators of the Revolution

Kyle Shepherd – A Portrait Of Home

Lisa Bauer Quartet – Finding A New Way

Phillip Tabane – Live At The Market Theatre

Tutu Puoane – Mama Africa

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Brigitte Mitchell – Don’t Explain

Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners Of Strange – Theory

Heels Over Head – Could It Be

Jonathan Butler – So Strong

Ological Studies – OS Freedom

Best Adult Contemporary Album: English

Freshlyground – Radio Africa

John Manuel – Lost and Found

Karen Zoid – Terms & Conditions

Louise Carver – Look To The Edge

LOYISO BALA – FULL CIRCLE

Best Adult Contemporary Album: Afrikaans

Albert De Wet – Die Vensters Na My Siel

Gemaak In SA – Jakkie Louw

Romanz – Romanz – Live CD

Rudi En Corlea – Drome

Steve Hofmeyr – Duisend en Een

Best Adult Contemporary Album: African

Siphokazi – Ethembeni

Skipper Tshabalala – Bekezela

Stimela – A Lifetime

Thandiswa – The Forgotten Free – Live in concert

Vusi Mahlasela – Say Africa

Best Urban Gospel Album

Dominion – I’ll Run To Him

Fifty 50 Family – Kazi Kuyoba Njani

Maira – Oh How I Need You

Patrick Duncan – Worship In Colour

Simply Chrysolite – Chrysolite Volume 1

Best African Contemporary Gospel Album

Benjamin Dube – Worship In His Presence

Group – Spirit Of Praise Vol 3

Mthunzi Namba – Mercy Live In Durban

Uche – Live At Lyric Theatre

Worship House – Worship House Project 7 – It Is Well With My Soul

Best African Traditional Gospel Album

Deborah – Awunasabelo

Kholeka – Siyakuvuma

Lundi – Uhambo Lwami (My Journey)

Rebecca Malope – Uzohamba Nami

Sechaba – Thank You

Best Traditional African A Capella Gospel Album

Amadodana Ase Wesile – Ke Dumetse Ho Morena

Enyonini Mission – Ebumnandini

Macecilia A St Paul – Ngoan’A Lehlasoa

Rob Rodell – A Cappella Christmas

Vuma Zion: Original Volume 1 – Amen

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

CRC Radiation – With All My Heart

Doxology – Doxology

Joe Niemand – Love

Rivers Creative – Above The Sound

Wholehearted – Wholehearted

Best Afrikaans Gospel Album

Krisstel – Opstaan

Rina Hugo – Ek Sing Vir Hom

Romanz – Ek Sal Getuig

Wian Vos – Geseende Van God

Willie Joubert – Ek Wil Jubel

Nicky Minaj. Massive Attack. Robots With Rayguns Remix.

I’m not quite sure what possessed Niky Minaj to record ‘Massive Attack’. It is possibly the worst song I’ve heard in a very long time. Thankfully Robots With Rayguns came to the rescue and churned out this remix. He took a song that’s hard to swallow and is hardly bearable to listen to and turned it into a gem.

Don’t you just love it?

xx

yours in musical madness

Red Bull Music Academy 2011 update.

Red Bull have some sad news regarding the Red Bull Music Academy . They say “We have been in close contact with our Japanese team and friends since the terrible earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11. After a thorough evaluation, we have decided to relocate this year’s edition of the Academy, which was set to take place in Japan this fall.
A new location for the Red Bull Music Academy 2011 will be announced on Monday, April 11. As a consequence, we have decided to extend the application period. Applications will now be accepted until April 26 (date of postmark).

The dates of the workshops, October 23 to November 25, will remain the same.

Throughout the last few months of preparation for the Tokyo Academy, we have gotten to know Japan as a country; its immensely rich spirit, the beauty, some of the traditions and innovative energy. We are honoured to have been introduced to so many interesting people and to have been allowed to experience some of their creative vision. We truly admire and respect their strength and courage in the face of this terrible situation.
We at the Academy also wish to show our solidarity and support for the Japanese music makers who have been part of our journey. Hence, the Red Bull Music Academy floor at SónarSound Tokyo this weekend will go ahead as planned. Profits from the festival will be donated in support to those affected by the horrific events of March 11 and their aftermaths.
We will continue to maintain strong links with the musical and creative scene in the country, and hope to bring the full Academy experience to Japan in the not too distant future.

Red Bull Music Academy 2011
Workshop 1: October 23 – November 4, 2011
Workshop 2: November 13 – November 25, 2011″