Sign In to rate and review
CRITIC REVIEWS
Having listened to Keleketla! way back in July I remembered how enjoyable I found the experience but how difficult I found it to discuss what was going on throughout the project. I can't say that I've spent enough time with Afrobeat to really comprehend just how exceptional its experimentalism truly is, and with a massive cast of instrumentalists, producers, and vocalists that I'm unfamiliar with there is a rich level of collaboration and layers that I couldn't begin to highlight effectively. ... read more
This is just amazing. So much going on. Fantastic, textured and layered compositions sounding like some Flying Lotus shit almost at crack sometimes. The vocal deliveries are also great and flows really well through the project. One of the ones better this year for sure :)
It's so rare that I come across albums that are this groovy, fluid, and expressive. This album's consistently taking you on a ride through the dynamic Southern African musical styles that it explores (none of which I'm too familiar with, to be honest) yet Crystallise and Broken Light (two tracks right next to each other) could not be farther apart in their sound. The repetitious yet focused percussion, the fantastic application of dominating saxophones and synths, and the subtle yet vital ... read more
While it definitely has its lulls, Keleketla!'s debut project proves them to be just as massive and inventive as their membership list suggests. The musicians who make up this group span from across the world, and bring the influences of their respective cultures with them. While most of this album is heavily influenced by Afrobeat, there's hints of jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and funk all over this thing. The end result is an album that can get a little repetitive, but nonetheless delivers ... read more
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement
Year End Lists
| #30 | / | PopMatters |
| #34 | / | Rough Trade |
Track List
- Future Toyi Toyi (feat. Afla Sackey, DJ Mabheko, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne, Soundz of the South & Tony Allen)
- International Love Affair (feat. Afla Sackey, Antibalas, Dele Sosimi, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne, Gally Ngoveni, Nono Nkoane, Sibusile Xaba, Tamar Osborn, Thabang Tabane, Tony Allen & Tubatsi Moloi)
- Shepherd Song (feat. Afla Sackey, Antibalas, Gally Ngoveni, Nono Nkoane, Sibusile Xaba, Thabang Tabane, Tony Allen & Tubatsi Moloi)
- Freedom Groove (feat. Antibalas, Nono Nkoane, Tamar Osborn, The Watts Prophets & Tony Allen)
- Crystallise (feat. Tamar Osborn & Yugen Blakrok)
- Broken Light (feat. Dele Sosimi, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne, Gally Ngoveni, Nono Nkoane, Tamar Osborn, Thabang Tabane, The Jungle Drummer & Tubatsi Moloi)
- 5&1 (feat. Gally Ngoveni, Nono Nkoane, Sibusile Xaba, Thabang Tabane & Tubatsi Moloi)
- Papua Merdeka (feat. Afla Sackey, Dele Sosimi, Tamar Osborn, The Lani Singers & Tony Allen)
- Swift Gathering (feat. Eska Mtungwazi & Tamar Osborn)
- Future Toyi Toyi (feat. DJ Mabheko, Tony Allen, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne, Soundz of the South & Afla Sackey) (Edit)
- International Love Affair (feat. Afla Sackey, Antibalas, Dele Sosimi, Ed ‘Tenderlonious’ Cawthorne, Gally Ngoveni, Nono Nkoane, Sibusile Xaba, Tamar Osborn, Thabang Tabane, Tony Allen & Tubatsi Moloi) (Edit)
- Crystallise (feat. Tamar Osborn & Yugen Blakrok) (Edit)
Advertisement
Added on: June 16, 2020