“Sound is defined by vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach the ear. Yet there is more to it when one imagines the hearing process as an involuntary command placed upon the body to be processed instantly. This realization can lead us to use sound as a means to inoculate one another with positivity, encouragement, and a connective awareness if we so choose. In our earth’s recent history, there has been a decline in the respect for this knowledge and a reward has been paid to those who willingly broadcast destructive sound wave commands across Planet Earth as a means to incapacitate its inevitable spiritual ascension. Even so, there are those who await vibratory commands from beyond this dimension in order to awaken a revolution of the heart.” – Georgia Anne Muldrow
In April 2018, we welcomed back Georgia Anne Muldrow and her “ancestral orchestra” feat. Thandi Ntuli Quartet and The Monkey Nuts to Pan African Space Station (PASS). This is an excerpt of that night. Breathe!
Born to jazz musicians in Los Angeles, Georgia Anne Muldrow was born for this very purpose – to make her vocal style, rhythmic production and multi structured songwriting that are so highly sought after. Mos Def says she “sounds like Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald rolled in one”. Erykah Badu says she “sounds like Alice Coltrane and J-Dilla rolled into one”. Others say she’s like “Herbie Hancock, Betty Davis, and Angela Wimbush rolled into one”. Whatever it is, she’s standing on some mighty shoulders, slinging a bag of her own.
She has worked with trailblazing artists such as Dudley Perkins, Rickie Byars Beckwith, Madlib, Dj Romes, Prince Po, The Visionaries, Brian Jackson, Dego, Robert Glasper, Bahamadia, Bilal, Mos Def and Erykah Badu among countless others. Her releases include Worthnothings, Olesi: Fragments Of An Earth, Blackhouse, Umsindo, Kings Ballad, Ms.One (rap e.p.) , the award winning jazz album Ocotea, Denderah (her second jazz record) and her latest works A Thoughtiverse Unmarred and Oligarchy Sucks.
For her first performance , Georgia Anne Muldrow collaborated with award winning pianist Thandi Ntuli and her quartet including Thembinkosi Mavimbela (bass), Marlon Witbooi (drums) and Sthembiso Bhengu (trumpet).
The Monkey Nuts are an alternative hip hop ensemble and visual arts collective based in Harare. Members include musician Impiaipeli Maphango, emcee and writer Joshua Chiundiza and musician and graphic designer Tino Tagwieryi. Their sound is a mix of Chimurenga/Jit and hip hop rhythms, blended with electronic tones, crowned with a visual aesthetic that celebrates their Southern African heritage.
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