MTHAKATHI | OWNERSHIP
With the release of his ground-breaking debut solo album Ownership, singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Mthakathi steers the world/pop fusion movement into the realm of Safro-Rock.
Ownership (released under his a.k.a Ema), is a fiery 12 song, multi-culti mashup of finely crafted rock, vibrant African infusions & magnetic story-telling. Mthakathi's thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic voice are girded on each track by striking ethno-sonic landscapes packed with South African voices, dizzying percussion beds, searing guitar solos and soaring sax rides.
The lineup on Ownership is an impressive roster of veteran musicians from the U.S. and Africa whose credits include touring and recording with rock legends Paul Simon, Sting and the Rolling Stones as well as South African luminaries Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg.
Mthakathi's long standing immersion in South African culture and his magical cross-pollinating style earned him his endearing Zulu title (which means "the magic man") by his South African peers. The break out single and video Jozi was deemed "a tribute to all things beautiful" by radio host Angela Ludik of Jo'burg's Radio 2000; Cape Town's The Big Issue proclaimed "the Wizardry, very apparent on this album, proves it's been a worthwhile journey." and his music, as one ardent fan proclaims, is "like world music on jet fuel!"
Tags: CD, World Fusion, singer/songwriter, South Africa