Borankana goes house

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Wednesday December 16, 2009 00:00

It could as well be an indicator as to what form traditional music should take in order to traverse the uncharted waters.

In track eight of the compilation, Khoba, the smooth Tswana poetry recitation by one Semetsa Mere would leave many across the borders marvelling at the beauty of the melody and the poetry regardless of whether they understand the lyrics.

The style of singing and ululation here is something new to Afro House style just as the poetry that runs through the song; in the process ushering in a new   and exciting blend of Afro House capable of compelling any dance music lover to press rewind and dance the festive season away.

This is one song Eric Ramco Records would do well to shoot a music video for in order to hype the brand new compilation, which just hit the shelves early this week.

Another scorcher in this Tswana House compilation is a track done by the late San girl,  Qane, who was also signed to Eric Ramco. She died too early last year.  The track Nakitshi by the San singer has a killer chorus that gels so well with the Afro House instrumental created for it. The famous San chorus, Uwee, is also beautifully captured, while the producers also ensured that the Afro House instrumental retains those San sounds; yet again another new addition to Afro-house.

A new blend of kwasa-house is also introduced here in the track Mma Seboledi, performed by Kgokgonono, traditionally a cultural music performer. He combines elements of Tswana folklore with the famous Congo-DRC rap style, which he does occasionally in English and Setswana.  This one has been programmed and produced by Pres Beatz and is sure to be popular among the many lovers of the House-kwasa genre here as it literally takes the style to a different level altogether.

Producers Monde Kama and Press Beatz combine again to remake cultural troupe, Mmurubele's 2008 hit track, Ditjompi, while  Eric Ramco himself chips in with a track of his own, where he sings , Ke na le Mathata on a groovy kwaito-house tune. It is a very interesting track listening to the owner of the record label calling all his sinners by names and telling them that he has more problems than they could fathom.

Cultural music icon Ditiro Leero, who left the stable two years ago to pursue a solo career, is featured in two of the tracks.  The compilation also features house remakes of Matsieng's famous tracks such as Mankoko, Lesole.