Asanda Mqiki’s long-awaited solo album has finally dropped, which is thrilling news for local and international fans alike, with pre-orders having been received from as far as the UK, Nigeria, New Zealand and the US.
The album, titled Nobakithi, comprises nine tracks, two of which are radio edits. Though the Bay talent is seen by many as an Afro-jazz artist, the album showcases the eclecticism of her musical style. Songs range from soul, funk and reggae to jazz and contemporary traditional African.
Mqiki is renowned for her stage presence and energetic performances, and so Nobakithi was recorded live at the Savoy Theatre in April. “Nobakithi is my mom’s favourite song and the first time I performed it for my family they loved it, and that moment felt like it was a blessing for the song,” Mqiki said. It was also the reason she gave the album itself the title.
The album begins with Mbulelo, a tribute to Mqiki’s parents and ancestors, and contains driving traditional rhythms and features mbaqanga guitar playing by Ben Badenhorst. Nobakithi was co-composed with drummer Thoba Goba and is the story of a young girl who leaves home to make it in the big city. I’ve Got You is a Mqiki classic – a love song of pure happiness, while Naughty Pirate delves into the fun side of her songwriting abilities. Dedicated to a generous donor from her crowd-funding campaign and co-written with his partner, it’s a reggae, almost cumbia-inspired, song that draws on Qaqambile Qingana’s considerable synth skills to create a track unlike any other on the album.
China Chino Funk opens listeners to Mqiki’s jazz-funk roots while Caramello is a cheeky number written for Mqiki’s partner,Take Six is Mqiki’s evolution of the classic Take Five and another nod to her jazz background, incorporating isiXhosa lyrics.
All songs feature the full band: Thoba Goba on drums, Mthokozisi Mabuza on keys, Qingana on synths, Grant Allison on electric bass, Joash Soobramoney on saxophone and Kamva Goba on percussion. Guest guitarist Ben Badenhorst makes an appearance on two tracks as well.Mqiki won the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award for Jazz at the National Arts Festival in 2015, as well as the MEC award for Best Individual Performer. In 2016, she was the only African artist selected to perform at the inaugural LoveBusk online festival, organised out of Australia, which saw her performance from the roof of the Fugard Theatre live-streamed all over the world. She has twice performed by invitation at the Gothenberg Culture Festival in Sweden and in 2017 was a finalist in espAfrica’s espYoungLegends competition, among numerous other career highlights.
The album was released on September 7 and is available for digital purchase and/or streaming across platforms including iTunes, CD Baby, Google Play and Spotify. Physical CDs can be ordered via www.asandamqiki.com