The Jenerik Soulz trio’s music stems from the distinct sounds of Hip hop, Soul and Jazz which seeks to capture the essence of organic sounds blended within the heartbeat of house music. This is a collective contribution from its different members on the debut album titled Room service. The first officially released single, Room Service, adds personality to the sound yet embedded deep within the core of the music are revolutionary messages which seek to capture the listeners imagination as the music is rich in texture and bright with an infinite amount of messages.
Jenerik Soulz as a band tries to evoke deep underlying feelings with the use of soul in the melodic structures yet in juxtapose, releasing energy with a sense of celebration and festivity with hard hitting drum patterns while also using synthesizers in capturing the modern, urban feel of the youth’s vibrancy.
The collaborations formed on the album were instinctive and fit comfortably into the soulful realm of Jenerik Soulz. Bantu Soul adds a warm masculine presence within the tone of the song “Again” while complimenting Dionne Song’s pure femininity. “D.I.Y.” brings together Dionne Song and her highly energetic friends in the form of Denise and Lutho John, who bring a fresh zest of youthful vibrancy and eloquent delivery in their passionate collaboration. “Summa lovin” packs the punches as a summer anthem calling in the soulful elegance of Aya whose telepathic exchanges with Dionne Song bring an organic affair in execution. The final collaboration is with Antonio Lyons on the sentimental “Jo’burg city”, as he breaths insight into the heartbeat of the track, he’s honest portrayal paints a vivid picture like a painter on a canvas.
The album brings together a diverse pool of subject matters with tracks such as “dance4life”, aligned with our relationship with the organization dance4life, seeking to highlight the effects of HIV/AIDS and the need for responsible living. “Let your light shine” is an inspirational anthem which promotes people to never give up on their dreams and be a light onto others.
The album versatility in subject matter provokes a multi-dimensional look at the world with its universal messages such as love, caring, respect and tolerance reverberating through every note. The central theme which characterizes the album is the element of positivity, which is circular among every track with a fresh perspective.
Simply put Room service is a melting pot of eclectic sounds, which lurk between the fine line of unconventional music and creative standards
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Author: Phathu Ratshilumela
Artists/DJ: Black Coffee
Album Title: Home Brewed
Genre: House
Year of Release: 2009
The genius producer, composer and DJ, Black Coffee, has unleashed another set of house music dragons. Since breaking into the music industry, Black Coffee has been one spinner who has managed to sustain his career in a very competitive market.
The waiting in suspense is now over because the much-awaited follow up release, entitled Home Brewed, is finally upon us. Pushing the envelope a little more, the brother has done wonders on this release. He picks up impressively from his previous release and still maintains that soulful sound.
After listening to this project, it is clear to me that the producer has decided on the world as his target. His production has matured so much, and one can safely say Black Coffee is one damn talented producer who can't be compared to anyone.
With his music, there is a unique signature that always stands out. What I find works well is how he structures his compositions. Listening closely, it is plain to hear that Black Coffee takes time to come up with really mind-blowing songs. On his songs, the brother does not rush the build-up process; bit by bit, he introduces all the instruments that are part of the overall song.
Impressively, Black Coffee keeps his music simple in such a manner that when it continues, one can easily pick up all the spices added. Another thing to take note of is the power of song arrangement. This DJ knows how to put all the instruments he is working with in order. Even thought his music is not overly populated with instruments, Black Coffee has a fascinating skill for making sure that the song does not lose momentum.
Just like in his previous releases, Black Coffee has teamed up again with another veteran artist Ringo Madlingozi in the opening song, ‘Mama'. On the song ‘Juju', the legend-in-the-making features Durban producer, Zakes Bantwini on vocals. This one knocked me down the very first moment I heard it. You gotta like the vocals that Zakes renders, nicely done boet! But as if that is not enough, rocking on, the brother injects another mesmerizing tune that will make you sweat all night long, called ‘Crazy', on which he features the vocal talents of Thiwe. When one thinks he is done, the Black Coffee hits hard with another thumping tune, ‘Superman'.
From the beginning of his mainstream musical journey, Black Coffee has shown himself to be one producer who offers super-fine soulful house tunes. Even though there is a lot of soul to his music, there are also catchy elements in his compositions that make them good to the ear. Let it be said again that Black Coffee is hectically talented, done deal!
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DJ QT: Quantized Mix 4
Author: Eddie Hatitye
Artists/DJ: DJ QT
Album Title: Quantized Mix 4
Genre: House
Year of Release: 2009
DJ QT has added a new album to his “Quantized ” series. The 12-track offering, titled “ Quantized Mix 4”, predominantly compiles well-known international house tracks.
One thing I have always found interesting about DJ QT is the strong reliance he has on other producers’ material. You see, he’s not the type of person you can openly glorify because the tracks pushing his name aren’t his.
Having said that, it would also be unfair to ignore the good ear he has for track selection throughout “Quantized” installments.
In digital music processing technology, quantization refers to the process of aligning a set of musical notes to a precise setting, resulting in notes being set on the exact fractions of beats. QT has always claimed to be the master of this process although he hasn’t been able to prove it with his own productions.
In terms of the artists featured on this album, the DJ, who is also a boss at Sheer, was very strategic. On the local scene he was quick to compile “let me go” by Culoe De Song, who is arguably the most in-demand DJ on the local scene at the moment. Sis & Jones’s “flight it” also made it into the soulful compilation.
Going international, QT brings together heavyweights like Reggie Dokes, Manoo, Abicah Soul and Rasmus Faber.
Tracks to look out for include Dunneasy’s “Wont stop”, Sister Pearl’s “Bang the drum”, Rasmus Faber’s “Always” and Reggie Dokes’s “Let me
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DJ Sbu releases Y-Lens Vol.3
Author: Eddie Hatitye
DJ Sbu has released the much-awaited Y-Lens Vol.3- 'The 2010 edition' on his TS records. Preceded by the critically acclaimed Y-Lens 2, the new album is anticipated to catapult the commercially successful Y-Lens trilogy.
In an interview with YFM, DJ Sbu told fans they can expect the best.
“I’m just now – over the last couple of days – starting to feel that it’s going to be right and it’s something I can be proud of, and everybody is going to love it,” Sbu told the interviewer. “In a perfect world, I’m shooting for a 30 September release.” he said.
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House Afrika and Bass Breaks & Beats Records Team Up for 4 CDs of Unmatched Funk
Two giants in the South African dance music game get together to deliver a mega-package of blissed-out beats and sky-high chords – a four CD-set bursting with top-notch dancefloor gear from the nation’s most highly-rated house crews.
The ‘House Afrika Sessions’ CD is a collaborative audio assault from compilation kings House Afrika and budding entertainment enterprise Bass Breaks & Beats, a label home to body-moving bombs like C.9ine’s “This Is Real” and “Heaven Is Here”, Liquideep’s “I Wanna Be Free” and “Love Your Life” and Bossruu’s “Jazz”. For these four very special sessions, a quartet of BBB’s quality DJs have each compiled a mix of locally produced house that’s of the highest international calibre.
A collective of DJ-producers that represent the futuristic cusp of South African dance music, Bass Breaks & Beats have already attracted a lot of overseas interest with their soulful South African material, including doing release and remix deals with big house names like Suges, Raw Artistic Soul, Boddhi Satva, Lars Behrenroth, Fish Go Deep, Dom Navara and Stephanie Cook. These high-profile hook-ups have sealed their reputation as the hottest local house stable around.
Now a wide selection of their most blazing tracks will be available to local listeners on the ‘House Afrika Sessions’ collection, blended by the best on the label’s books: Liquideep’s, C.9ine, Thobs and Deep Xpressions (K-SO & BK)’. Living up to the Bass Breaks & Beats ethos of letting the beats do the talking, these turntable talents have each created scintillating journeys perfect for dancing, with each CD focusing on a different aspect of house music.
Liquideep’s ‘Oscillations’ CD plumbs the soulful and vocal end of the spectrum; C.9ine’s ‘Dancing On Keys’ set is fresh and progressive; DJ Thobs’ ‘Loud and Clear’ mix features an array of top South African producers and it’s silkily strung together by one of the country’s longest-serving female DJs: a real ‘mix vixen’. Finally, the Deep Xpressions (K-SO & BK) showcases and array of laidback and loungey tunes on ‘Sweet Sundays’ contribution to this five-hour long party-pack.
The quality of the tracks on offer here sets the bar for South African dance music extremely high and will no doubt generate even more interest in the up-and-coming powerhouse that is Bass Breaks & Beats. It is a bumper purchase with enough variety and class to keep dance aficionados happy the whole summer…
