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Something to Say EP

by Sipho Gumede

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £4.50 GBP

     

  • Ltd edition 12" Vinyl
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Beautiful full cover art and extensive liner notes from legendary producer Greg Cutler.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Something to Say EP via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
Uthinina 04:40
2.
Bayabizana 04:31
3.
4.

about

"It is such a great pleasure to see the music of Sipho Gumede resurfacing forty years after we collaborated on these seminal recordings. A big thank you to Aroop and Vive La Musique for having the ears and tenacity to put together this release. It is humbling to know that our recordings are going to be shared with a whole new generation"
Greg Cutler, Producer


Vive La Musique brings you four stunning tracks from multi-talented South African bass player - Sipho Gumede - uniquely blending South African jazz roots with 80s disco and boogie.

The origins of the release started with label founder Aroop Roy's obsession to find an obscure song "Uthinina". With no copies available to buy anywhere online, He started a three-year search and eventually tracked down producer Greg Cutler, beginning a journey of friendship and discovery.

Not only did Greg have a copy of the elusive record, but it turned out that he had been a key figure in South African music in the 70s and 80s and had worked on over 300 records including numerous classics.

Aroop dug into Greg's catalogue finding many lost gems, under the radar of even the most dedicated South African music connoisseurs. Greg had produced and engineered several albums with Sipho, including his earlier jazz and roots bands Spirits Rejoice and Sakhile.

Studying jazz from a young age, Sipho began to explore mixing traditional South African music with jazz and later, modern Western influences. A prolific and pioneering composer and musician, Sipho worked with a host of celebrated South African artists including Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu and Abdullah Ibrahim. He also toured with American artist Timmy Thomas and performed at Montreux Jazz festival as part of a Quincy Jones production.

Last year, we brought you a 7" version of "Jika Jika" - Sipho and Greg's boogie cover of "The Message". "Something to Say" features four tracks taken from Sipho's 1980's releases, recorded around the same time.

"Uthinina" and "Bayabizana" are two beautiful tracks originally released as part of the Peace project, with a unique blend of haunting Zulu vocals, South African jazz roots, and stunning changes.

"Something to Say" and "City of Gold" were recorded a few years later. Sipho had been working in the studio with Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu and their influences can be heard, with drum machines and American Boogie instrumentation laying the foundation for vocals singing sweet melodies with English lyrics.

The 12" comes with extensive liner notes from Greg, talking about his time in South African. He recalls his experience as a White producer, working with Black musicians under the challenges of apartheid and describes his musical journey with Sipho Gumede, with intricate details on how the music and production evolved.

All four tracks have been restored and remastered by Atjazz.

Artwork has been beautifully created by Michal Rafaj.

Feedback

"WOW Aroop! Sipho's music is so good!"
Hunee

"Chunky, soulful and deep. Thanks for unearthing these beauties! I would love a copy"
Mr Scruff

"OMFG! Deep sublime organic futurism! Beautiful!"
Luke Una

"Brilliant tracks! Thank you so much"
Gilles Peterson

"Amazing music that is perfect for today’s music environment, a lovely blend of South African and boogie flavours."
Patrick Forge

"MIND-BLOWING find by Aroop. This music lives a new life and so it should, boogie from RSA that should have been heard the world over 1st time around."
Atjazz

"This is FUCKING AMAZING"
Eli Soul Clap

"Sipho's Music is great!"
Antal

credits

released February 18, 2023

A1. Uthinina
A2. Bayabizana

B1. Something to Say
B2. City of Gold

A1 & A2 (originally released in 1983 on Peace, Vuka Afrika)
Lead Vocals - Thembi Mtshali | Percussion & Drums - Nelson Magwaza
Vocals & Guitar - Bheki Khoza | Vocals & Keyboards - Jabu Nkosi
Bass Guitar & Guitar - Sipho Gumede


B1 & B2 (originally released in 1985 on Faces and Places, Vuka Afrika)
Lead Vocals B1 - Felicia Maron | Lead Vocals B2 - Mara Louw
Piano & Synthesisers - Jabu Nkosi | Guitar - Enoch Mthalane
Tenor Saxophone B2 - Khaya Mahlangu | Horn Arrangement B1 & Guitar B2 - Alistair Coakley
Trumpets - Stompie Manana, Pino Garoni, Hansel Von Bruggen, Alan Wright
Bass Guitar - Sipho Gumede | Linn Drum - Greg Cutler & Sipho Gumede

A1,A2,B2 written by Sipho Gumede | B1 written by Sipho Gumede & Greg Cutler
All tracks produced by Sipho Gumede & Greg Cutler & remastered by Atjazz
All tracks published by & under exclusive license from Sigude Music / Sheer Publishing (pty) ltd.

Compilation & Interview - Aroop Roy
Photographs - Steve Gordon/Musicpics Africa
Artwork - Michal Rafaj
Executive producer - Aroop Roy

VLM-005 ℗ and © 2022 Vive La Musique. All rights reserved.

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