The record is made up of two parts.
South African producer Themba announced details of his first live record production, ‘Modern Africa’, which will consist of two parts: ‘Ekayah’ and ‘Heritage’. In the first, the artist collaborates with modern musicians from his hometown, Johannesburg. For its part, in the next installment, he honors the pioneers of music in his region.
‘Ekhaya’ means home, and is the name of the album that will be available on April 9th. Meanwhile, ‘Heritage’, due out May 28th, is an ode to Africa’s most innovative artists, featuring three reworked classics by legendary artists Fela Kuti, Shina Williams, and King Sunny Ade.
‘I wanted to put out an album that was a symbol of unity, one that vividly presented what Africa is today. To inspire the next African child and show him what is possible when you embrace yourself and your heritage. What makes you deeply African is your consciousness, soul, aura, and how you impact other people’s lives; there is a strong sense of unity between us, and we are born with a deeply ingrained understanding of rhythm’, Themba says of the album.
With ‘Modern Africa’, the artist attempted to tell a personal story with a live album honoring his musical roots, from African jazz to African Disco music, bringing them to the present wrapped in their own sound.
Listen to the first single, ‘Sound Of Freedom’, below and pre-order your copy here.
Modern Africa, Part I – Ekhaya
Themba feat. J Something – Colours
Themba feat. Thakzin – Sound Of Freedom
Themba feat. Lizwi – Izindlu
Themba feat – Ashamed
Themba feat. Lizwi – Mountain High
Themba feat. Thoko – Reflections
Themba – Heavy Weather (Coming Up For Air)
Modern Africa, Part II – Heritage
Shina Williams & His African Percussionists – Agboju Logun (Themba’s Herd Remix)
Themba feat. King Sunny Ade & His African Beats – Synchro System
Themba feat. Fela Kuti – Zombie (Herd Remix)
