November 2022

Ayanda Sikade Umakhulu Afrosynth Records 2022 There’s both a satisfying sense of ease and a certain expressive urgency to the catchy melodies that South African drummer Ayanda Sikade spins around the minimally designed, extensively repeating structures on Umakhulu. Take the bluesy gospel concept behind opener “Medantsane” for example: Simon Manana’s saxophone wraps the main melodic theme closely around a lush I-IV-V cadence with Nhlanhla Radebe following step in warm vibrating root movements… [ read more ]