Luyolo Lenga (pictured left) and Izithunywa Zohlanga began their Cape Town tour with a busy weekend at Selective Live before moving on to Gugx Lounge and The Commons in Muizenberg.
KAT MANNE went to listen to Luyolo Lenga’s traditional African fusion and Izithunywa Zohlanga’s Xhosa raps, which showcase a blend of Eastern Cape sounds that are unmatched:
It is dusk when I arrive at The Commons, drawn to the music, the water, the mountain. Before entering the stairwell, the band’s photographer, Dwayne Kapula greets me with a large smile. He’s about to explore the beach before returning for the show. The others are inside connecting to the people. I can hear their laughter as I ascend. Izithunywa Zohlanga rapper Pura Lavisa chats to the guests on the balcony. The vocalist, Azipheli Sakwe and percussionist, Luthando Feni converse at the bar as Luyolo moves around engaging with everyone who speaks to him. The space is open as artists are approached, sharing the context of their music.
Bringing life to African literature
As the sky darkens, people move inside for the performance. Luyolo is trained in music composition and uses a combination of choral, classical and African bow music. The show is carried by Luyolo’s spiritual verse and Azipheli’s Xhopera soprano tone. Luyolo’s gentle bow and guitar together with Luthando’s rhythmic touch on the congas draws you into another world. Polyphonic harmonies from Azipheli and Luyolo are accompanied by the clapping of the audience who – by some magic – form cross-rhythms echoing across the room.
The poets of Izithunywa Zohlanga take to the stage. The lounge is full at this point but I manage to find a seat at the front to see the duo. Surrounded by books and vinyl, Pura leads us into the music with full power, Xhosa bars flowing seamlessly between himself and Luyolo. The pair balance each other well with Luyolo’s soothing voice and the rawness of Pura’s sharp tongue, bringing life to African literature and the impact of modern issues through an ancient and oral method of storytelling.
Magic on a warm summer night
The show is followed by some Afro-beat and Afro Funk sounds from vibrant vinylist, Ra Mava. Twirling skirts and stomping feet draw dancers from the lounge and the balcony, they’ve abandoned the bar for the dance floor. As the artists expand on their music with intimate stories overlooking the ocean and the stars in the clear evening sky, a new friend purchases a copy of Luyolo’s new album Sabela without any knowledge of how he is going to play a CD, the owners join the dancing to a rare Stars record, and the band pulls out Xhosa moves bringing the people together once again on a warm summer night at the southern coast.
Follow the artists for more upcoming gigs:
Luyolo Lenga – www.instagram.com/luyololengamusic
Izithunywa Zohlanga – www.instagram.com/iziraps
Azipheli Sakwe – www.instagram.com/arzz_monalisa
Luthando Feni – www.instagram.com/thando.feni
Ra Mava – www.instagram.com/rasmava
Dwayne Kapula – www.instagram.com/nyauist
WS
