“Emakhosini”, by BCUC [Buda Musique, 2018]

This week’s album of the week on Worldwide FM is the new release by BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness). Out on Buda Musique, “Emakhosini” follows BCUC’s 2016 album “Our Truth“.

This seven-piece Afro-psychedelic band is unlike any other – taking influence from the ancestor spirit world of their native South Africa, as well as funk and punk-rock. To describe their music, they’ve had to coin their own genre – “Africangungungu”.

As well as creating a unique sound, BCUC have a mesmerizing performance style. The essence of their music is bound up in hedonistic, trance-like performances, through which they communicate to their audiences. This emphasis on live performance is reproduced on the album through two almost twenty minute long recordings.

Epic, hypnotic and outspoken, the songs also act as weapons of political and spiritual liberation, raising questions about social inequality in modern Africa.

Tracklist:
1. Moya
2. Insimbi
3. Nobody Knows

Personnel:
Zithulele ‘Jovi’ Zabani Nkosi – Lead vocals, mbomu
Kgomotso Neo Mokone – Backing vocals, tambourine, shaker
Letlhogonolo Atlarelang Maphunye – Backing vocals, whistles, noise-whistle & cow bell.
Thabo Saul ‘Luja’ Ngoepe – Backing vocals, raps and bass drum
Daniel Thabo ‘Cheex’ Mangel – Congas
Ephraim Skhumbuzo Mahlangu – Bass drum
Mosebetsi Jan Nzimande – Bass Guitar